Came to the area to go wine tasting at Hearst Ranch Winery and after just looking at the pier from a distance on our last visit, we decided to drive over afterward and walk the pier. Pier was longer than I expected, which was nice because I love a good walk to the end of the pier. It's always so relaxing, and this one gives beautiful, uninterrupted views over the Pacific Ocean. It was slightly raining outside, so there weren't many people out. Really got a lot of the area to ourselves. Imagine this would be busier during the summer months, though. Surprised by how much parking they have around the area. Definitely worthy of a good stop. read more

One of the most picturesque piers in California- and definitely one of my favorites! The San Simeon pier sits inside a dramatic cove surrounded by minty blue-green waves crashing on dark sand beaches at high tide with tons of extensive tide pools at low tides - a must when you're in the area. The pier that currently exists was built in 1957 - but the original pier was just a tad north of this one in the same cove, was built in the mid-late 1800s, and was a very important local hub of shipping and whaling activity. The beach surrounding the pier is WR Hearst Memorial Beach and is just stunning. The area is excellent for whale watching and fishing - activities that are fantastic from the pier itself but unfortunately it's temporarily closed due to storm damage. According to local news articles, the pier is being repaired and expected to reopen in the next year. Even though you can't walk out on it, it's still gorgeous from above and below especially. Great spot for pics, especially during sunset and tide pools during low tides. Lots of barnacles, anemones, and shore birds of course and tons of California Ground Squirrels on top of the cliffs! read more

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I'm not sure why but this is my all time favorite pier. Every time I'm in this part of CA I have to walk this pier. It's in a cove that gets my imagination going. It's like you're in a pirate's cove and I'm just waiting for a pirate ship to sail in. The pier is very long and a great walk. You almost always see sea otters and pelicans. There's also a very secluded beach with easy access. Hearst Ranch Winery is near so visit there first and then walk the pier. Tons of parking and plenty of public restrooms. There's a guard booth but it's been abandoned in the years I've been coming so just keep on driving, no charge to visit here. read more

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This might be my favorite pier in the whole of California. Several years ago when I did my trip from South to North on CA 1, I passed by this beach and pier and it was breathtaking. But I was so tired driving along the coast that I didn't take the time to enjoy it. Many years went by and I never got a chance to come back and visit this beach. Finally, after almost 8years I got a chance to come back to it and enjoy it. This place is quiet, calm, quaint and simple. A perfect place to just be with the nature, the ocean, the sea mammals (plenty of them) and very little people. Although this place is great all day, come here either during sunrise or sunset and be blown away by the amazing views. read more

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Such simplicity yet such stunning beauty. I've seen many, many piers in this beautiful native state of mine and San Simeon rates as one of the top in my list of favorites, definitely in the top 3, if not the very top. San Simeon Pier is the 25th longest over the ocean pier in California, it stretches 850 feet long. There's no hustle and bustle around it's border, no restaurants at the end, no skateboarders or vendors, just a long simple pier surrounded by nature and breathtaking views of the area. The pier is located at the William R. Hearst Memorial State Beach, which is protected under the California Marine Life Protection Act. During low tide you can see colorful tidepools dotted around in its waters as well as having Ospreys, Pelicans, Otters, Humpback Whales and Elephant Seals among it's population. Plus, Central Coast has the absolute most gorgeous sunsets and to view unobstructed from this pier is just phenomenal. There is a sandy beach with a picnic areas to eat and grill, plus flush toilets and some history boards. Kayaks and bodyboards are available during the summer. Parking is plenty and also free. Far up on the hill behind the pier stands the incredible Hearst Castle and its scrolling vast property dotted with Zebra and vegetation. A perfect place to unwind, relax, and get back to nature. CHEERS!!! read more

A simple pier, yet rich with history. A treasure trove of antiquities have made their way over these planks. Very peaceful here and so many other cool things to explore along the beach below. Take the time to walk around the area and not just walk along the pier. - At low tide there are various sea animals to check out. A great place to find starfish. - Check out the The San Simeon Bay trail. Just head north along the beach below the pier and look for a trail leading up the cliffside. Amazing views of the coast and a nice walk through the trees. - Another quiet and safe pier in the area is the Cayucos pier, 22 miles south of here in the seaside town of Cayucos. read more

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This pier rocks! It has a bunch of cleaning stations and water spigots everywhere! Went on the day after Thanksgiving and only met one other person catching perch. I went to the end to see if I could get anything else and ended up near the breaks. Few bites but no fish. You can defintiely feel the waves on this pier when they hit hard! Gotta come back here again for another chance! There is some construction on the right, don't actually know why. It's just fenced off. read more

San Simeon, California (San Luis Obispo Co). Highlights: Sandy Beaches, the non-commercialized pier and dope weather. Parking/Roads: Paved, decent sized lots for trailers & porto potties. Handicap: Excellent for us sick peoples. Hours: 24/7. There is a gate and kiosk but I don't see how they can prevent visitors. Cost: Free Distance: SLO is the closest big town - appx 40 miles @ under one hour. DTLA - Appx 250 miles @ 4 hours. San Fran - Appx 210 miles @ 4 hours. Bakersfield - appx 150 miles @ 2.5 hours. San Simeon is located off of California's Iconic Pacific Coast Hwy (PCH/HWY 1) south of Big Sur. Common activities include fishing off the pier, and general beach activities. I didn't see any watercrafts or docking spots for boating or related fun stuff. The pier is a perfect location for an hour long break when traveling to or from LA/Marin Counties where you can stretch, walk around, exercise a bit, snap some killer sunrise/set photos, people watch, bird and animal watch, have a snack or lunch and to enjoy the mildly polluted beauty of God's grand design. There is something about the brisk sea air tapping the shoulders coupled with the cold ocean water revitalizing the soul from the hips down that I can not explain accurately with script & feebly attempted with my crappy photography... The limitations of the artistry realm from a data driven calculus loving numbers type of idiotic genius is what my shrink (ex-gf) have labeled a decade plus ago. What's that mean? Come waste your time and find out yourself =P Adjacent Attractions: Hearst Castle (accessed across the street) for you museum peoples. Elephant Seal sanctuary for you peta types. They some big ole seals~! Hearst Winery for you debcaurous types. Piedras Blancas Light House/Station for you naval types. Coastal Discovery Center for those w/ mini me. Endless amount of Hiking, walking, biking trails for you fit bastards. And for you speed freaks, if your lucky, no cars or cops =) Adjacent Eateries: Cambria has some weak boutique spots & SLO has all of Yelp Elite's favorite corporate chains like McD's, Starbucks, Walmart, etc. The food sucks off the coast w/ exception to some baller restaurants w/ killer views here & there. I pack my own goodies whenever I'm headed this way. Travel safely my friends and wear your seatbelt, and mask, and goggles cause the Govt claims it will save your life from a virus that has a 0.0002 odds of killing you which translate to a 99.98% of living if you are hit w/ COVID for California residents. Oops sorry, there goes my data driven mind again. @cigarcpa read more

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A must-stop with every visit to the Central Coast. In all the times we've been there, not once has there been anyone at the entrance booth. The pier is a great place for pics and watching sunsets. There's a little museum (that we've never checked out) and there are restrooms. There are several picnic tables and places to BBQ in a grassy area. At low tide there are great places near the pier to look for ocean wonders. I've found sea glass on multiple occasions. Doggies love the beach and kids love playing in the sand. San Simeon Pier will forever hold a special place in my heart. read more

It's a beautiful free spot to stop at and admire the ocean and coast line. There is also a nice beach to dip your toes or build sandcastles, and fly a kite. Directly across from the famous mansion. A good place to relax after and reflect on the simplicity of nature after seeing the epitome of excess. read more

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Stopped here briefly on a recent camping/road trip up the central coast. It's right next to the Hearst Castle. It's a nice beach and pier and wasn't too crowded when I stopped by before sunset. But the lawn area had some bbq/event earlier in the day. People are absolute slobs. The mess that they left behind is ridiculous. Clean up after yourselves you pigs! Rant aside, it's a cool beach for sunset and a quick stroll. read more

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Pretty pier! There is no Ruby's at the end, so for us Southern California people, this may not be what you expect of a pier. It really is just a long pier that takes you out to overlook the beautiful ocean and California coastline. There were some people walking the pier, taking photos, and even a few fishing. We also saw a seal playing in the waves below. That was our favorite part! Nice little stop in San Simeon. Parking is fun free too! read more

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Great day for a Sunday drive. Left cloudy Atascadero and headed to Morro Bay, had lunch, stopped by Morro Rock. The sun is shining, blue skies and warmer than inland today. We continued onto Hwy 1 heading North. Our final stop was here. Walked the Pier and absorbed this beautiful Country and Ocean of ours. Nature at finest. Calm ocean like glass, lush Green hills, no noise or air pollution, mammals and animals surrounding area, OH MY!!! This is a must stop for everyone and it's free. Bring a picnic lunch and take a walk on the wild side (beach). read more

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Gorgeous place to watch the sunrise. Has a beach next to it where elephant seals sometimes show up. Right by Sebastian's. Also by the Discovery Center, which is always fun to check out. Paths to walk on. There's often people fishing... it's a nice place. read more

San Simeon Pier - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - San Simeon, California

Pretty, peaceful pier in San Simeon. Not too crowded; really beautiful. Beautiful green rolling hills surrounding with cows, and even zebras! You can pick up some wine and sandwiches right down the road at Hearst Ranch winery and Sebastian's. read more

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We were in Cambria at Moonstone beach freezing in the clouds. Drove here and it was super sunny! The beach is kid friendly with waves that aren't too big. There's a restaurant and wine tasting about a 5 minute walk away. You could post up here all day and have a great beach day. read more

i love it here, if you are driving to san francisco or anywhere up north and you are from los angeles i highly recommend stopping here it's a good pit stop and you won't regret it thank me later read more