San Luis Obispo County, CA · Pacific Ocean

Pismo Beach

Twenty-three miles of wide, drivable Central Coast sand — Pismo State Beach allows ORV traffic in the southern Oceano Dunes area. The town has a working pier, a clam-chowder culture, and is the gateway to the Pismo Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove (200,000 overwintering monarchs October–February).

Today's Conditions

Great day for a beach walk.

58°F water

Water

58°F water — cold — wetsuit or stay dry

Safety

UV 11 (extreme) — spf 50+ mandatory, limit mid-day exposure

61 /100

good

47 Swim

70 Sunbathe

82 Walk

58 Fish

77 Photo

Best for walking today

Water level 0.5 ft above predicted

Observed water level is running higher than the astronomical tide prediction. Expect a narrower beach, faster-rising water, and stronger near-shore currents than the tide chart suggests.

NOAA station 9412110 · Observed 5.19 ft · Predicted 4.66 ft

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Atmosphere

Air Temp

73°F

Clear

Wind

—

Rain

Today

UV Peak

11 Extreme

High 10 AM–04 PM · burn in ~18m

Burn-free before 08 AM & after 06 PM

Tomorrow

—°F

Water

Water Temp

58°F

Cold

Barometer

30.07 inHg

1018 hPa

Water Quality

Clean

41 MPN/100mL · Total Coliform

USGS · sampled 8mo ago

Rip Current Risk · Regional Reference

No zone-specific NWS forecast for this beach (PZZ645)

The LOX office's Surf Zone Forecast doesn't cover this beach's forecast zone directly. Nearby coastal zones it does cover are listed below — regional reference only, not a substitute for the conditions at this specific beach.

CAZ362 Malibu Coast — Los Angeles County Beaches n/a
CAZ354 Ventura County Beaches n/a
CAZ349 Santa Barbara County Southwestern Coast — Santa Barbara County Southeastern Coast n/a
CAZ340 San Luis Obispo County Beaches — Santa Barbara Central Coast Beaches n/a

NWS SRF · LOX · Issued Jul 18, 7:55 PM

Sun & Moon

Sunrise

9:01 AM

Sunset

11:15 PM

Moon · 18%

Waxing Crescent

Neap tides — smaller range

Tides

Time	Type	Height
12:57 AM	High	5.2 ft
7:49 AM	Low	-0.2 ft
2:32 PM	High	4.7 ft
8:18 PM	Low	1.9 ft

Time	Type	Height
1:54 AM	High	4.4 ft
8:26 AM	Low	0.5 ft
3:16 PM	High	4.9 ft
9:36 PM	Low	1.8 ft

Time	Type	Height
3:02 AM	High	3.7 ft
9:04 AM	Low	1.3 ft
4:01 PM	High	5.0 ft
11:01 PM	Low	1.5 ft

Time	Type	Height
4:35 AM	High	3.1 ft
9:44 AM	Low	1.9 ft
4:48 PM	High	5.1 ft

Time	Type	Height
12:19 AM	Low	1.1 ft
6:29 AM	High	2.9 ft
10:32 AM	Low	2.5 ft
5:36 PM	High	5.2 ft

Time	Type	Height
1:25 AM	Low	0.7 ft
8:23 AM	High	3.1 ft
11:30 AM	Low	2.8 ft
6:24 PM	High	5.3 ft

Time	Type	Height
2:18 AM	Low	0.3 ft
9:27 AM	High	3.3 ft
12:33 PM	Low	3.0 ft
7:11 PM	High	5.4 ft

High/low predictions from NOAA station 9412110, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.

What to Bring Today

critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 11 — very high
critical Wetsuit (if swimming at all) Water is 58°F — dangerously cold

Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).

Best Fishing Times Today

Solunar theory: fish activity peaks at moon transits (major) and moonrise/moonset (minor). All times local.

Minor

1:10 AM - 2:10 AM

Major

6:40 AM - 8:40 AM

Minor

1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Beach Info

Parking

Free street parking in town; paid lots near the pier. ORV access via the Oceano Dunes entrance is separate.

Dogs

Dogs allowed leashed on the city beach year-round; pier excluded.

Entry Fee

Free

Address

1 Pomeroy Ave, Pismo Beach, CA 93449

Amenities

lifeguards (seasonal Memorial Day – Labor Day, 5 towers)pierrestaurantsrestroomsshowersORV beach accessmonarch grove nearby

Frequently Asked

Is it safe to swim at Pismo Beach today?

Pismo Beach shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. Seasonal lifeguards patrol the swim area in summer — follow their flags. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.

Is Pismo Beach dog-friendly?

Dogs allowed leashed on the city beach year-round; pier excluded.

Is there an entry fee at Pismo Beach?

Entry to Pismo Beach is free.

Are there lifeguards at Pismo Beach?

Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Pismo Beach during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.

What amenities are at Pismo Beach?

Amenities at Pismo Beach include lifeguards (seasonal Memorial Day – Labor Day, 5 towers), pier, restaurants, restrooms, showers, ORV beach access, monarch grove nearby.

When is the water warmest at Pismo Beach?

The Pacific is cold. Southern California (San Diego to Santa Barbara) peaks in August at 65-72°F. Central and Northern California stay in the upper 50s to low 60s year-round. Oregon and Washington rarely exceed 60°F. Wetsuits are common.

Where is Pismo Beach located?

Pismo Beach is in San Luis Obispo County, CA, at 1 Pomeroy Ave, Pismo Beach, CA 93449.