Pismo Beach Pier Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, let’s break down what’s on the menu at Pismo Beach Pier for the next couple weeks.

It’s a slow cooker at first. The first decent chance to paddle out is Friday morning, July 10, with 5ft clean swell out of the WNW, 8-second period. Light cross-on breeze, so it’s a bit bumpy but workable. The wave energy is moderate (612). Water temp is about average for July – nothing unusual.

Friday afternoon the swell picks up to 6ft from the WNW, still 8 seconds, light cross-on. Energy jumps to strong (1109). The size is there, but the quality is still just okay.

Saturday July 11 fizzles – 3ft from the SW, long 15-second period, but onshore wind kills it. Total washout. Saturday afternoon barely 2ft.

Sunday through Tuesday, tiny SW swell, 2–3ft, periods 13–15 seconds, light cross-on or onshore breezes. Energy hangs in the 300–400 range. Not worth the wax.

Wednesday July 15: morning sees 5ft WNW at 8 seconds, cross-shore wind. By afternoon it’s 7ft but with a moderate cross-shore breeze choppin’ it up. Energy climbs to 700. Size is getting interesting, but the conditions are rough.

Thursday July 16: holding 6–6ft WNW, period up to 9 seconds, light cross-on breeze. Energy is strong (743–781). This is the best-looking stretch in the first week – still not perfect, but cleaner than the rest.

Friday July 17 drops to 5ft in the morning, then a weird one in the afternoon: just 2ft but with a very long 17-second period from the WNW, energy 587. That long-period groundswell could draw some nice lines at the pier if the tide’s right, but it’s small.

From Saturday July 18 through Wednesday July 22, it’s a long run of tiny SW swell – 2–3ft, periods 14–18 seconds. Energy stays low (300–500). Light cross-on breezes, but there’s no power.

Then Thursday July 23 afternoon, a pulse: 6ft WNW at only 7 seconds, light cross-on. That short period will be crumbly, but at least there’s some size. Energy hits 521.

Friday July 24 builds: 6ft WNW at 8 seconds in the morning, energy 607. By afternoon it’s 8ft WNW at 8 seconds – that’s big and raw, for experts only, with energy up at 974. Saturday July 25 delivers 7ft WNW at 9 seconds, energy 836.

The standout? Thursday July 16 and Friday morning July 17. You’ve got consistent 6–6ft WNW, 9-second period, and the lightest cross-on breeze of the whole run. The direction matches the pier’s sweet spot, and the energy is strong. After that, the late-month pulse on July 24–25 is bigger but sloppier with short-period chop.

So aim for the 16th and the morning of the 17th – that’s your best shot at a decent session.

Rusty.

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