Ocean tide fluctuations effect beach access by vehicles. An extremely high tide or a combination of high tide, high surf and strong winds can make beach travel more challenging. Wet, hard packed sand surface is less available for vehicle travel during these periods. During these periods you may be forced to travel on dry loose sand, increasing the challenge of avoiding getting stuck in the sand or while crossing Arroyo Grande Creek. If you plan on taking your vehicle onto the beach, we suggest you plan your arrival during low tide periods. A link to an ocean tide table is provided below to help you determine when to enter the beach with your vehicle.
Tidal fluctuations also influence other recreational opportunities such as surfing, jet skiing, fishing and clamming. Surfing, jet skiing and fishing are best when there is a high tide. The high tide covers the sand bars close to shore, creating better surfing and jet skiing conditions. The high tide also brings fish closer to shore where they forage in the holes caused by the wave action and sandbars. Clamming, on the other hand, is best during low tide periods as more wet sand is exposed.
Link to tide table provided by Pismo Beach Chamber of Commerce.
Ocean Tide Table
