Pico
- Wave, Freeride
- Best for
- Intermediate to Advanced
- Skill Level
- Mixed
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Pico (San Simeon) is a small, exposed beach-and-reef spot known for technical conditions shaped by a tight launch and rocks/reef near the waterline. Water quality is described as clean, but the riding zone can be hazardous—especially around the creek mouth and at low tide when more rock is exposed. For kitesurfing, the strongest windows are April through September, with WNW to NW winds providing consistent sessions. The spot is generally best when you’re comfortable managing a narrow, rocky entry and variable wave conditions. Recommended kite sizes are commonly in the 7–10 m range, and the spot is described as a higher-challenge destination rather than a beginner-friendly launch. Surfing is also reef-focused and can be powerful, peaky, and rockier on less ideal days. Offshore NE winds are noted to help keep surf cleaner, while larger swells can make the break heavy or even difficult/unsurfable depending on the day. A mid-tide window is commonly favored, and the reef/swell combination is key to getting rideable wave faces. Because this is a remote, cold-water launch with rips and submerged reef hazards, planning and caution are essential. There’s no lifeguard presence reported, and rescue is described as limited; riding with a buddy and keeping a close eye on tide and currents are strongly emphasized.
- Reliable spring–summer NW to WNW wind for wave-style kitesurfing
- Exposed reef setup with clean surf possible on the right wind direction
- Cold water year-round—expect wetsuit use
- Rock/reef hazards increase at low tide; rips/currents are a key safety concern
- Reliable NW to WNW wind window in spring and early fall for kitesurfing
- Clean/offshore NE conditions can improve surf quality
- Good water quality and a generally consistent reef/sandbar setup when conditions align
- Close to lodging and food options in San Simeon
- Technical, tight launch with narrow access and rocky/reef hazards (especially at low tide)
- Rips and strong longshore currents can be present
- Cold water year-round
- Can become heavy/unsurfable on larger swells
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- WNW, NW
- Offshore directions
- N, NE
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Prevailing northwesterly pattern with daily thermal sea-breeze development in spring and summer.
- Reliability
- Good during spring and early summer.
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gusting reported.
- Best Months
- April, May, June, July, August, September
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–10 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Mixed
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach with reef influence.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Small to medium waves reported; can vary from short-wave conditions to more powerful reef surf.
- Launch
- Small — Narrow sandy beach at the end of Pico Avenue with rocks on both sides; staircase beach access.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Moderate difficulty due to tight access and rocky/reef hazards.
Through the year
Quiet on weekdays; can get busier with local surfers on weekends.
December through March.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Compact beach-and-reef kitesurf area with working wave faces; challenging due to cold water, rocky hazards, and a technical/tight launch.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–10 m²
Possible for advanced wave windsurfing during strong NW winds, but the launch is tight and rocky.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.2–5.3 m²
Possible but requires caution around shallow rocky reef sections; depth varies with tide.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Reef sections limit safe foil use.
- Min Depth
- Variable due to reef; mid-to-high tide recommended.
- Wing Sizes
- 4–5 m²
Exposed reef and sand interaction near the creek mouth; can become heavy and difficult on larger swells and can turn peaky/rocky on smaller days.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- W, WNW
- Swell Height
- 1.5–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Best around mid tide when the tide is rising.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed reef and shoreline exposure.
- Wind Effect
- NE winds are offshore; NW is the primary kiting/onshore wind. Offshore NE winds are noted as favoring cleaner surf.
- Bigger Swell
- Can become heavy and difficult to manage on large winter swells; can become unsurfable on anything bigger than a few feet overhead.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Reported as good; can be affected by how clean the swell/wind combination is.
- Wave Power
- Powerful
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Often described as mixed/peaky; cleaner reef-wave shape in better conditions.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Can offer short, punchy rides on reef peaks.
- Ride Length Details
- Short, punchy rides on reef peaks; can be limited on very small or very large days.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Pico in the full forecast view.
Pico wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 1–10 ktsGusts 16 kts
- Direction
- NW305°
- Strongest day
- Tue, Oct 2710 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.1–1.8 m10s period
- Temperature
- 11–22 °C
Over the next 7 days, Pico is forecast for daytime winds of 1–10 kts, peaking around 10 kts on Tuesday, October 27 with gusts to 16 kts. The prevailing direction is NW. Waves run 1.1–1.8 m with a period of about 10s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Rocks
- Rips
- Sharks
- Strong currents
- Submerged reef
- Urchins
- Localism
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — No dedicated lifeguard towers at most spots; rescue via local authorities and nearby services is referenced.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest emergency services are located in San Luis Obispo or Templeton.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Local use is noted; localism is also listed as a hazard/consideration.
Rules of the spot
Be respectful of local surfers who frequent the reef peaks.
- Choose clean conditions and be prepared for a rocky surf zone.
- Use extra caution near the creek mouth and reef.
- Keep an eye on the tide; low tide exposes more hazardous rocks in the riding area.
- Watch for rip currents when surf is running.
- Always ride with a buddy due to the remote nature and cold water.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- San Luis Obispo
- Nearest Town
- San Simeon
- Nearest Airport
- San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP)
- Parking
- Limited street parking is available at the end of Pico Avenue next to the beach access.
- Public Transport
- Public transit is limited (RTA Route 15); a private vehicle is essential for most launch sites
- Access
- From Cambria, drive north along the coast about 6 miles, enter the village area, turn left at Pico Avenue; parking is available near the end/cul-de-sac and access is via a short staircase or beach access point.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Lodging options in San Simeon are within walking distance.
- Food & Drink
- Local cafes and restaurants in San Simeon; nearby lodging properties are within walking distance.
- Equipment Rental:
- No rentals available on-site; equipment rental is available in nearby towns such as Morro Bay or San Luis Obispo.
- Gear Storage
- On-site storage is generally unavailable at the launches; most visitors store gear in vehicles or accommodations.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A rugged Central Coast setting with nearby historic and wildlife attractions.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Pico?
The best overall months at Pico are June, July, August, September, October, November, December, January, February. The best wind months are April, May, June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Pico?
Pico works with WNW, NW winds. Offshore directions are N, NE.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Pico?
Recommended equipment sizes at Pico: Kitesurfing: 7–10 m² · Windsurfing: 4.2–5.3 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–5 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Pico suitable for?
Pico suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate to Advanced · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Intermediate to Advanced.