Pismo Beach Pier

The Heart of Pismo Beach

If Pismo Beach has a center of gravity, it is the pier. The 1,200-foot wooden structure extends straight out into the Pacific from the foot of Pomeroy Avenue, and you will find yourself walking out to the end whether you planned to or not. It is the first thing most visitors see, and for good reason. The views from the end are excellent in every direction, the ocean is immediately below you, and the whole scene is free.

The pier was first built in 1881, making it one of the oldest on the California coast. The current structure has been rebuilt and reinforced several times, but it retains the classic look of a California beach pier: weathered planks, fishing rails along both sides, and a cluster of locals with rods at the end any time of day. There is nothing fancy about it. That is exactly the point.

Walking the pier takes about 10 minutes at an easy pace. The first half is lined with benches and wide enough for strollers and wheelchairs. The end section is where most of the fishing happens, and where you will get the best views of the coastline stretching south toward the Oceano Dunes and north toward Shell Beach. On a clear day the Santa Lucia mountains are visible to the east.

Fishing from the Pier

One of the underrated facts about the Pismo Beach Pier: fishing here is completely free and does not require a California fishing license. This applies to any public pier in California under state law, making the Pismo pier a popular spot for locals and visitors who want to fish without the cost of a license.

The most common catches are surf perch, jacksmelt, and halibut. Crabbing is also popular, especially in fall. Fish cleaning stations are available on the pier. The best fishing tends to be in the early morning and late afternoon. If you do not have gear, a few shops near downtown rent rods by the hour or day.

Wildlife Watching

The pier is one of the best wildlife viewing spots in Pismo Beach. Bottlenose and common dolphins travel along the coastline regularly and are visible from the end of the pier, especially in the morning. Brown pelicans dive for fish just off the railing. California sea lions bark on the pilings below in late summer and fall. Sea otters have been spotted floating in the kelp beds visible from the pier.

From December through April, the pier is also a good spot for gray whale watching. The whales migrate along the California coast during this period and are sometimes visible from shore. Binoculars help, but sightings can happen with the naked eye when conditions are calm and visibility is high.

Sunset at the Pier

The pier faces due west, which makes it one of the best places in the area to watch the sun drop into the Pacific. In summer, sunset happens around 8 PM, when the downtown restaurants and shops are still buzzing and the light on the water turns gold. On cloudless evenings the sky goes through a full range from orange to deep red to purple in about 20 minutes. People gather along the railing almost every evening for this.

Winter sunsets happen earlier and tend to be more dramatic when there are clouds on the horizon. If you are visiting between November and March, check the sunset time and arrive 15 minutes early to get a spot at the railing.

Tips for Visiting

• ●Go at sunset. The pier faces west and the light on the water is worth the trip on its own.
• ●Early mornings are the best time for wildlife, especially dolphins and pelicans.
• ●Parking on Dolliver Street or in the paid lots off Pomeroy is the easiest option.
• ●The pier is wheelchair and stroller accessible for most of its length.
• ●No license is required to fish here. A rod rental from a nearby shop is all you need.
• ●The pier is open 24 hours, but the area is most lively between 10 AM and 8 PM.
• ●Splash Cafe, one block from the pier entrance, is the right place for clam chowder before or after your walk.