An iconic San Luis Obispo County landmark will close this weekend as powerful tides and dangerous surf are expected to pound the Central Coast.
The Pismo Beach Pier will shut from midnight Saturday until 5 a.m. Sunday because of “dangerously large” waves, city officials announced Friday.
The temporary closure comes as the National Weather Service issues high surf warnings and the California State Office of Emergency Services provides guidance on coastal safety, according to the city.
Local beaches will remain open, but city staff will closely track tide and wave conditions throughout the weekend and order additional closures if necessary.
A high surf advisory is scheduled to remain in effect until 9 p.m. Friday. High surf warnings will continue through 3 a.m. Sunday, while coastal flood warnings are set to run from 3 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.
The advisories and warnings cover beaches throughout San Luis Obispo County as well as Central Coast beaches in Santa Barbara County. The high surf advisory forecasts breaking waves between 10 and 15 feet, along with dangerous rip currents. The high surf warning calls for waves reaching 18 to 25 feet.
The threat may last beyond the weekend. A series of west-northwesterly swells is expected to continue into next week, raising the likelihood of significant flooding in low-lying coastal areas.
A visitor at the pier Friday said he saw chain-link fencing being installed at the end of the popular attraction.
“I remember back in the day, like 50 or 60 years ago, they never shut the pier down. The waves would crash over it. It was so exciting,” the visitor wrote in a comment on the city’s Facebook post. “Nowadays, they have to make sure everyone is safe.”
Other San Luis Obispo County landmarks — including the Cayucos Pier, the Morro Bay Harbor entrance and Oceano Dunes — could also be affected by the towering tides.
California State Parks said Thursday that beach camping reservations at Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area would be canceled through Monday because of the forecast.
The Pismo Beach Pier closure comes during a particularly busy tourist weekend. The city is scheduled to host its annual Pismo Beach Marching Band Review, drawing middle and high school bands from across the Central Coast.