Talk about distractions.

    San Luis Obispo, Calif., sight of Idaho State’s next football game, is home to one of the nicest and most sought-after vacation destinations in the Golden State — Pismo Beach.

    Sharing its name with the Pismo Clan, something that used to be so prevalent that plows were used to harvest them, the scenic area includes sandy beaches, coastal cliffs and breathtaking sunset views that make for an unforgettable oceanside community.

    But the Bengals won’t be paying any attention to it.

    At least that’s what head coach Mike Kramer hopes.

    “The problem is that San Luis Obispo is next to one of the greatest spots in North America called Pismo Beach,” he said. “We will be near Pismo Beach in our hotel for two days. It kind of feels to me like a Hawaii trip.”

    Kramer and his team know why they are traveling to San Luis Obispo, and it’s not to partake in what the city has to offer.

    ISU is there to take on the 7-2 Cal Poly Mustangs, ranked No. 19 in the FCS coaches poll.

    “(Head coach) Tim (Walsh) has done a great job returning to head coaching in the Big Sky Conference having spent some time as the offensive coordinator up at Army,” Kramer said.

    At 1-8 on the season, the Bengals know they have their work cut out for them.

    Added to the temptation of what Pismo Beach has to offer, Idaho State has to actually get to San Luis Obispo. The nearest major airports are in Los Angeles (189.7 miles or three hours and four minutes away) or San Francisco (219.7 or three hours and seven minutes).

    “It’s a long, arduous trip,” Kramer said. “For whatever reason our charter leaves early Friday morning and we don’t play until Saturday night.”

    Either way you slice it there will be a flight followed by a lengthy bus trip for the Bengals just to get to Alex G. Spanos Stadium in San Luis Obispo. That’s not a good recipe for a team to trying snap its 38-game road losing streak.

    It’s also deceivingly cold this time of year.

    “The weather is supposed to be inclement,” Kramer said. “We expect 60 degree temperatures, and coastal 60 degree temperatures are not like the warm, balmy 60 degree temperatures we find in the Intermountain West. It’ll be freaking cold on Saturday night and we’ll have to wear all of our cold weather gear on Saturday night and we will be uncomfortable.”

    Kickoff between Idaho State and Cal Poly Saturday is at 7:05 p.m. MST.