Pismo Beach – Wilmar Stairs Access

The Wilmar Stairs are a city-owned wooden stairway that provides access to the quieter north end of Pismo City Beach. This part of Pismo Beach is backed by stark white cliffs and has sea caves to discover. If it weren’t for the limited parking spaces this beach access would be much more popular. Getting there early in the morning is your best bet.

From the bottom of the stairs walk north to a small cove with unique white cliff walls that is hidden behind a rock wall below the SeaCrest Oceanfront Hotel. At lower tides when this area is more easily accessible there are deep alcoves in the rocks to investigate. The lower the tides, the more there is to explore. Mussels and barnacles cover the rocks in the areas that are usually wet. Tide pools can be found around the base of the rocks.

If you walk south the beach you’ll pass below the Kon Tiki Inn on the way to an area with volleyball courts and eventually reach the Pismo Beach Promenade and the Pismo Beach Pier. The pier is visible from the Wilmar Stairs and makes a nice beach walk (about 3/5 of a mile each way). Pismo City Beach has full facilities, restrooms, and much more abundant parking if you wanted to start there and then walk up to the Wilmar Stairs Beach.

For parking at the Wilmar Stairs, look for limited free public parking spaces at the end of Wilmar Avenue just west of Price Street.

Address

305 Wilmar Ave
Pismo Beach, CA 93449

Phone

805-773-7063

Other Names

Wilmar Beach, Mystery Stairs, Sea Crest Vista Point

Owner

City Beach

Pet Details

Dogs allowed on leash

Fees

Free street parking

Activities

Beach Walking, Sunbathing, Photography

Amenities

Sea Caves, Sea Stacks, White Cliffs, Tide Pools, Lifeguard, No Facilities

Links

Tide Charts
Water Quality
Water Temps