Pismo Beach Activities

Volleyball

Eight volleyball courts are located on beach north of Pismo Pier at the Wadsworth Avenue access.

Youth Beach Volleyball Camp are offered by the City of Pismo Beach at the Wadsworth Courts.
Ages 10-15
April 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Check the current Activity Guide for even more activities through the year: Pismo Beach Recreation

Monarch Butterfly Grove

Monarch butterflies gather at California's largest monarch grove in Pismo Beach, immediately south of the Pismo Beach State Park's North Beach Campground off Highway 1. from November through Marsh monarch butterflies cluster by the thousands in the eucalyptus grove. Parking and admission is free. Docents are often on hand to assist visitors.
Information: 800-443-7778.

Pier Fishing

The Pismo Beach Pier is a favorite with fishermen, one of the busiest along the central coast. When the schools of fish such as the bocaccio are in the area, action can be good.

Among the fish caught here are corbina, yellowfin croaker, barred surfperch, calico surfperch. The most common catch is barred surfperch.

Along the pier's 1,370-foot length are cantilevered fishing platforms. The pier is open 24 hours a day. At the foot of the pier are restrooms and parking. Paid parking is enforced 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM ($1 per hour). The pier is lighted at night. Anglers will find fish-cleaning stations, benches, and a bait and tackle shop.

Pismo Beach Surfing

Pismo Beach is known for its great break near the pier. Surfing is allowed up to 150 yards north of the pier. Surfers prefer the morning, avoiding the wind. The beach has room for everyone from novices to experts. Many longboarders prefer to avoid the crowds around the pier and surf the beach at Oceano.

When conditions are good, surfers head north to Shell Beach, finding some interesting reef breaks along the rugged coast.

Surf Shops, Surf Lessons and Rentals

Shell Beach Surf Shop
2665 Shell Beach Road, Suite K, Shell Beach, CA
(805) 773-1855
Retail, lessons, rentals

Esteem Surf Co.
590 Cypress Street, Pismo Beach
(805) 773-2144
Retail surf shop

Moondoggies Beach Club
781 Dolliver Street, Pismo Beach
(805) 773-1995
Retail and rentals

Sandbar Surf
791 Price Street #210, Pismo Beach, CA
(805) 835-SURF (7873)
Lessons, camps and rentals

Pismo Beach Surf Shop
470 Price Street, Pismo Beach, CA
(805) 773-2089
Lessons, kayak tours, and rentals

Pancho's Surf Shop
181 Pomeroy Ave, Pismo Beach, CA
(805) 773-7100
Beach supplies, surfboards, rentals

Surf Camp

Moondoggies Beach Club will provide instructors for children's 3-day surf camps. Camps teach water safety, surfing etiquette, surfing skills. 9:00 AM to 11:30 Am. For ages 8-17. Instructors are CPR and first aid certified.
April 18-20, 2017
Contact City of Pismo Beach Recreation: (805) 773-7063
Pismo Beach Recreation

Junior Lifeguards

Pismo Beach Junior Lifeguards - 2025

The Junior Lifeguards program develops skills in ocean swimming and in dealing with hazards in the ocean. Participants learn about water safety, surf rescue, surf riding, and first aid. The program is open to youths ages 9 to 17. In the past the program was held on the south side of the Pismo Beach pier at Oceanview Avenue and also on the beach in front of the Sandcastle Hotel.

Participants must pass a basic swimming test held in May.
Pismo Beach Junior Lifeguards - 2025

2025 Pismo Beach Schedule

Session 1: June 16 - JuLY 4, 2025
Session 2: July 7 - 25, 2025
8:30 am AM to 12:30 PM. Monday - Friday

Oceano Dunes Junior Lifeguards

A Junior Lifeguard program is going into its sixth season at Oceano Dunes. Like the Pismo Beach Junior Lifeguards, Oceano participants must pass a swimming test to qualify. Call (805) 473-7248 to schedule make-ups.

Oceano Dunes' two sessions run from June 9 to June 27, 2025, and from July 7 to July 25, 2025.
Oceano Dunes Junior Lifeguards

Kiteboarding

Kiteboarders enjoy the strong afternoon winds along Pismo Beach. The lack of rocks sandy bottom at Pismo Beach make it an attractive place to develop kiteboarding skills.

Xtreme Big Air Kiteboarding Lessons
Kiteboarding beginner and advanced courses at Pismo Beach.

California Kiteboarding
Kiteboarding lessons, stand-up paddleboard lessons and tours