Pismo Beach

A single pier extends out over the ocean, daring to reach into the untamed vastness, but not reaching far relative the ocean’s immensity. The pier is a tangle of thick timbers, and the combined strength of them battles the relentless waves that crash into the structure. At a glance, the timbers appear haphazardly placed, with the simple goal of sinking as many as possible into the earth below for support. Winds rip into the shore, bringing the slightly stinging smell of salts.

Pismo Beach is a picturesque and stereotypical Californian beach. To the north and south of the pier, clean sandy beaches extend in an arc miles long. The sand slopes gently into the crashing waves, providing space for hundreds of beachgoers. Behind the beach, vertical cliffs separate the sand from the city above. The cliffs are whitish with dark green vegetation hanging down from above.

If a cool breeze causes you to rethink a day at the beach as you park above, think again. Descending to the sand below on a sunny day can be like descending into a furnace, and the breeze is less noticeable with the bright sun above and the hot sand underneath.

The only different between Pismo Beach and an outsider’s expectations is the water temperature. I was from out of state, and when I moved to California I expected warm tropical waters. I never expected the frigid waters that stay cold year-round and necessitate using a wet suit for swimming any length of time.