Heavy surf causes coastal chaos across SLO County. See the photos and video
By David Middlecamp and
Joan Lynch
Waves battered the shores of San Luis Obispo County Thursday morning as high tides washed onto streets, closed piers and parking lots and prompted multiple water rescues up and down the coast.
After relatively calm and sunny weather Tuesday and light rain Wednesday evening, Thursday’s high surf and swells were deemed a “significant coastal weather event” by the National Weather Service.
Here’s a look at some of the photos from the day of dramatic surf in SLO County.
Truck stranded by high surf rescued at Oceano Dunes
A family of four or five people including a toddler were rescued by a lifeguard and State Parks officer who swam out to the stranded truck at Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreational Area.
At least four unoccupied recreational vehicles were swept away by the high tides at the state park, and 200 people near the Dunes were asked to evacuate to higher ground around 9:45 a.m.
Storm driven high swells on the ocean combined with seasonal high tides washed debris on beach at Oceano Dunes SVRA, including firepit ashes and driftwood Dec. 28, 2023. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
Storm driven high swells on the ocean combined with seasonal high tides combined to cause coastal erosion and water rescues Dec. 28, 2023. The sign for the Oceano Dunes SVRA was undermined at Pier Ave. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
High swells on the ocean combined with seasonal high tides leading to water rescues Dec. 28, 2023 at Oceano Dunes SVRA. This truck periodically tumbled in Arroyo Grande Creek due to storm surge, occupants were rescued earlier. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
Santa Barbara County sent one of three helicopters for rescue assignments at Oceano Dunes SVRA Dec. 28, 2023. A truck that attempted to cross Arroyo Grande Creek is in background. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
Santa Barbara County sent one of three helicopters for rescue assignments at Oceano Dunes SVRA Dec. 28, 2023. A truck that attempted to cross Arroyo Grande Creek is in background. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
Two of the three rescue helicopters dispatched to the scene fly at Oceano Dunes SVRA. Floodidng resulted as high swells on the ocean combined with seasonal high tides Dec. 28, 2023. A truck that was lost in Arroyo Grande Creek is at right. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
Pier Ave. ramp to Oceano Dunes SVRA was closed as high swells on the ocean combined with seasonal high tides Dec. 28, 2023. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
Pier Ave. ramp to Oceano Dunes SVRA was closed as high swells on the ocean combined with seasonal high tides Dec. 28, 2023. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
Dozens of spectators turned out to Pier Ave. in Oceano to see storm driven high swells on the ocean combined with seasonal high tides Dec. 28, 2023. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
SLO County piers pounded by huge swells
Surf pounded the pilings and topped the decks of piers across San Luis Obispo County on Thursday.
The Pismo Beach and Cayucos piers were both closed due to the unusually high waves.
The Avila Beach and San Simeon piers were already closed due to existing damage and sustained a new round of nature’s wrath.
Large waves hammer the Avila Beach Pier on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2023. Janel Mitchell
Large waves hammer the Avila Beach Pier on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2023. Janel Mitchell
Large waves hammer the Avila Beach Pier on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2023. Janel Mitchell
Large waves hammer the Avila Beach Pier on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2023. Janel Mitchell
The Avila Beach Pier was hit hard by the heavy surf on Dec. 29, 2023. Janel Mitchell
Andrew Crosby of Cambria, his son Fin and pooch Pfeiffer watch high-tide waves at San Simeon Pier on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. Kathe Tanner ktanner@thetribunenews.com
The Pismo Beach Pier has been closed due to the unusually high surf that slammed San Luis Obispo County on Dec. 28, 2023. Pismo Beach Police Department
Hiker rescued from Pirate’s Cove
A hiker fell from a cliff into the waters of Pirate’s Cove Thursday morning around 11:30, prompting a response from emergency crews.
The man was rescued from the cliff side around noon and was escorted from the area with a minor head injury by EMS personnel.
Water rescue response at Pirate’s Cove parking lot included Port San Luis Harbor Patrol, Calfire and CHP H-70 Dec. 28, 2023. Construction crews also assisted. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
Water rescue response for a man who fell in the ocean near Pirate’s Cove parking lot included Port San Luis Harbor Patrol, Calfire and CHP H-70 Dec. 28, 2023. Construction crews also assisted. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
Water rescue response at Pirate’s Cove parking lot included Port San Luis Harbor Patrol, Calfire and CHP H-70 Dec. 28, 2023. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
Heavy surf pummels shoreline
At peak high tide around mid-morning, the surf breached seawalls at local beaches and flowed onto streets.
Elsewhere, it crashed against cliffs, sending up massive sprays of water.
Waves crash against the cliffs in Shell Beach in a view from Shoreline Drive on Dec. 28, 2023. Mackenzie Shuman mshuman@thetribunenews.com
Storm driven high swells on the ocean combined with seasonal high tides combined to cause coastal erosion and water rescues Dec. 28, 2023. Pier Ave. beach ramp at Oceano Dunes was closed as waves frothed past the kiosk. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
High surf runs all the way up Avila Beach to the sidewalk as visitors take in the sight on Thursday, Dec. 28 2023. Mackenzie Shuman mshuman@thetribunenews.com
High surf runs all the way up Avila Beach to the sidewalk as visitors take in the sight on Thursday, Dec. 28 2023. Mackenzie Shuman mshuman@thetribunenews.com
Caution tape marks off the swing set at Avila Beach as high surf pounds the pier and coast on Thursday, Dec. 28 2023. Mackenzie Shuman mshuman@thetribunenews.com
Mike and Cathy Cowles of Diamond Bar watch as waves crashed into the Leffingwell Landing bridge in Cambria at high tide Thursday, Dev. 28, 2023. Kathe Tanner ktanner@thetribunenews.com
High surf runs over Moonstone Beach meeting Santa Rosa Creek in Cambria on Dec. 28, 2023. Kathe Tanner ktanner@thetribunenews.com
This story was originally published December 28, 2023 at 4:19 PM.
David Middlecamp is a photojournalist and third-generation Cal Poly graduate who has covered the Central Coast region since the 1980s. A career that began developing and printing black-and-white film now includes an FAA-certified drone pilot license. He also writes the history column “Photos from the Vault.”
