Pismo Beach Pier Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s break down what’s happening at Pismo Beach Pier for the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, we’ve got a flat spell. From Friday 3 July through Monday 6 July, it’s a total dud – tiny, crummy cross-onshore slop with barely enough push to get your fins wet. The long-period SW groundswell (16 to 19 seconds) is hanging around, but it’s tiny and messy. Water temp is 59°, which is about average for this time of year.

By Tuesday 7 July into Wednesday morning 8 July, things pick up a bit. Swell is still small, around 3 ft from the SW, but the combined energy climbs into moderate territory (up to 1073). Winds are cross‑shore and light, so you might snag a few crumbly ones if you’re keen. Still marginal though.

Now here’s where it gets interesting. Wednesday afternoon 8 July sees a shift: the swell direction goes WNW and the period drops to 8 seconds – short‑period windswell – but the height jumps to 8 ft, with combined energy hitting 1266 – solid. This is going to be a raw, bumpy beast with moderate cross‑shore winds. Over 8 ft, so strictly for experts. Pismo Beach Pier (California) is an exposed beach break, and with that short period and cross‑chop, it’s a nightmare for paddle surfing – way more interesting for kiteboarding.

Thursday 9 July stays chunky with 7 ft to 8 ft of short‑period WNW swell, but winds turn cross‑onshore and chop it up. Only for the brave. By Friday 10 July, the swell drops to 5 ft, and we get a brief window of light offshore winds from the SW – cleaner faces, but energy is dropping (620) and period is only 9 seconds. Not classic.

The following week looks quiet again. From Saturday 11 July through Wednesday 15 July, we’re back to knee‑high dribble with long‑period SW groundswell (14 to 20 seconds) but hardly any size – around 1 ft to 3 ft. Energy numbers are weak (under 400). Cross‑onshore winds most of the time.

There’s a flicker on Thursday 16 July afternoon, when a short‑period WNW swell (8 seconds) bumps up to 7 ft, and combined energy hits 992 – moderate strength. But it’s cross‑onshore and chunky again. Same story for Friday 17 July into Saturday 18 July: pulses of 6 ft to 7 ft with short periods and cross‑onshore winds, and energy numbers up to 1602. That’s strong energy, but the wind and period mean messy, powerful closeouts. Experts only, better suited to a kite.

If I had to pick the best of a rough lot, I’d say Wednesday morning 8 July is the standout. It’s the last day of swells under 5 ft (3 ft) with light cross‑shore wind and moderate energy (1073). The swell direction (SW) isn’t perfect for the WNW optimum, but it’s the cleanest window in a bumpy run. After that, it’s all big, short‑period, chop‑fest.

Rusty.

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