SHELL BEACH and PISMO BEACH
SHELL BEACH and PISMO BEACH Kayak, Canoe and Stand Up Paddle Board (SUP) Guide
San Luis Obispo County, California
Paddling below the cliffs by Shell Beach there are some very nice sea stacks and rock formations / arches / sea caves. Often times, the surf is small here and you can paddle very near to the cliffs and sea stacks. Scroll down the page and keep reading for detailed launch and paddling information.
Map of SHELL BEACH and PISMO BEACH
More SHELL BEACH and PISMO BEACH maps
PORT SAN LUIS TIDES and Marine Forecast - very close so tides the same.
VIDEO of area - paddling with seals and through sea cave and arch
Go to my blog page for SHELL BEACH and PISMO BEACH
Here is a picture of Kayaks near the cliffs of Shell Beach:
October 2021 - IMPORTANT NOTE: The stairs at the end of Pier Avenue have been closed by the city because a portion of the cliff that held a support for the stairs has been washed away.
Shell Beach has a very protected launch spot in a small cove at the bottom of a long set of stairs at the end of Pier Avenue (along Ocean Avenue between Cliff Avenue and Windward). Even when the surf is fairly large, the launch here is pretty easy. Unfortunately, you need to carry your kayak or SUP down a long set of stairs. I have more spots to launch listed further down in this document.
Here is a picture of the Shell Beach kayak launch at bottom of stairs at the end of Pier Avenue.
Very near to the access stairs at the end of Pier Avenue are some caves and arches you can sometimes paddle through. An arch and a cave are in the islet that is just off shore from Margo Dodd Park. There are also some caves in the cliff that you can sometimes enter, land in, and explore just east of the islet. Some additional caves are further east right below the Dinosaur Caves Park. All these caves and arches are often referred to as Dinosaur Caves. They are near the Dinosaur Caves Park and Margo Dodd Park.
The surf size and tide will determine what cave/arch you can paddle through. The arch in the islet can be paddled through more often. The cave in the islet sometimes has waves breaking in it and a surge that could crush you against the ceiling – be careful! For the cave in the islet, you can paddle from the backside so you can see the waves coming (depending on the surf size and tide).
To scout the islet cave before you paddle, you can see the small entrance from the cliffs by Margo Dodd Park. The arch is harder to see from shore, however, from some of the overlooks in Dinosaur Caves Park you can see it if you know where it is.
OTHER ACCESS POINTS FOR SHELL BEACH AND PISMO BEACH:
Access stairs near 1898 Ocean Blvd Pismo Beach, CA 93449 - The stairs are 50 to 100 feet North West of Eldwayen Ocean Park. You can launch here if the surf isn't too big.
Access stairs near 2054 Ocean Blvd, Pismo Beach, CA 93449 - The stairs are near the intersection of Ocean Blvd and Vista Del Mar Ave. The entry to the water is probably a bit better than the stairs by 1898 Ocean Blvd.
The following spots probably aren't as good for launching as the other spots I mention:
There is also a wide access trail from Spyglass Park at the end of Spyglass and access stairs off of Ocean between Vista Del Mar and Placentia --these spots are only be usable for launching when the surf is small. The Spyglass launch is also only usable at high tide as a rock shelf is exposed at low tide.
I have more spots to launch listed further down in this document.
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Here is a picture from Shell Beach cliffs by shell beach dinosaur caves park looking south towards Pismo beach.
See additional pictures of Shell Beach at my Shell Beach picture page.
Pismo Beach can also be used for launching and landing when the surf is small. It's just a short paddle north from Main Street in Pismo Beach to the scenic cliffs and sea stacks by Shell Beach. There is a short ramp at the end of Main Street where it is very easy to get your kayak to the water. The beach access is also quite easy at several spots south of Main near the Pismo Beach Pier.
Avila Beach and Port San Luis Kayak and SUP Launch - Many commercial paddling tours of the Dinosaur Caves begin their paddle at Avila Beach or Port San Luis. It is a longer paddle to reach Dinosaur Caves from Port San Luis or Avila Beach, but it is a beautiful paddle. In Port San Luis you can can launch without a surf entry. See my Port San Luis and Avila Beach page for more information.
I have a Central California picture web page with more pictures of the Central California Coast.
(c) Copyright 2011 and 2013 by Mister Dave KayakDave.blogspot.com AnOutsideGuide.blogspot.com
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