Found in San Luis Obispo county in Central California, Pismo Beach is a mediocre beach break providing long crumbly sections for turns or cruising. This beach is miles long and banked with massive sand dunes. It is the only coastal spot in California that allows motorized vehicle fun on the dunes, so watch out for the ATVs. The waves here are easy to surf and can break for up to 100 meters over a sand bottom.
What are the best surf conditions for Pismo?
The waves here get good between waist high and double overhead. Be aware that on bigger swells the bars will close out, but there might be reforms on the inside. Pismo is best suited to all levels of surfers. We recommend a longboard for the smaller days and a shortboard for when the size arrives. Pismo picks up almost all swell but is not always surfable (5/10). Due to its size, there will always be an empty peak for you (2/10). The best winds come from due East, the best tide is the highest possible, and the best swells come from the North, Northwest, West, South, and Southwest.
We recommend a 4/3 in the summer when water temps rise to a chilly 15 degrees in August. In winter a 5/4 is recommended as water temps drop to around 12 degrees. See the temperature chart below for more data on this.
