November 7th – 9th, 2026 (Optimal Viewing 4 PM)
Join us for the second annual Pismo Beach Sand Art Festival, a three-day celebration of large-scale, ocean-inspired sand art installations.
From Saturday, November 7 through Monday, November 9, 2026, the shores of Pismo Beach will transform into a living, open-air gallery where the tideline is the canvas.
This free, family-friendly event invites visitors to experience the beauty of impermanence as the sand art washes away the art each evening. See the once-in-a-lifetime creations come alive and leave with the tides.
Important Event Viewing Tips
When
Artists draw near low tide, when the sand is at its best as a canvas. Low tide falls around 3 PM to 4 PM each day, so consider that the peak viewing time.
Where
The sand art begins just south of the pier and runs all the way up the beach to the cliffs beneath SeaCrest Hotel. The best views come from above in each area. Check the map for recommended lookouts and routes.
Etiquette
Please do not step on the art. These are hours of careful work and foot prints disrupt them. Enjoy the pieces from a distance, give artists room as they work, and help us keep every mural pristine until the tide takes it. * Although, some pieces may invite participation, such as labyrinths or community drawing. Refer to artists.
About Sand Art
Sand artists work with simple tools — rakes, poles, and ropes — to draw murals directly into the sand. Every artist has their own method. Some lay out grids for precision; others work entirely freehand. Some plan their designs in advance, while others freestyle on the spot as the tide reveals fresh sand. Some artists introduce shading and tonal contrast, while others build three-dimensional, sculptural elements into their pieces.
There is no single right way to do it, and our goal is to highlight as many of these styles and techniques as we can, with artists from around the world.
About This Festival
The Pismo Beach Sand Art Festival was created in 2025 through a collaboration between the Pismo Beach Conference and Visitors Bureau and Pismo Beach local Avery Kintner (@mandala.sea). Pismo Beach is the perfect home for this event because its long, wide stretch of sand offers artists a massive canvas. Our beach is arguably one of the best places in the world for large-scale sand art, and we’re ecstatic to support this unique artform and its global community in our town.
Map & Schedule
Use the festival map to find recommended lookouts and routes. The best viewing comes from above in each area, so the map highlights elevated vantage points along the pier, boardwalk, and bluffs.
Physical maps will be available at the Airstream on the Pismo Beach Pier or SeaCrest Oceanfront Hotel, so you can pick one up and explore at your own pace.
Interactive Activities
Sand Globe Making
Get your hands in the sand with Zach Pine of @sandglobes. Using nothing but wet sand and dry sand, Zach guides participants in shaping spherical sand globes. It’s a hands-on, all-ages activity that’s as satisfying to make as it is to watch take form.
Community Draw Experience
Join earthscape artist Andres Amador of @andresamadorarts to help create a massive, collaborative work of art in the sand. All ages are welcome and no experience is needed; just bring your curiosity and creativity. Rakes provided, guidance available.
Festival Highlights
World-Renowned Sand Artists:
Watch leading sand artists from around the globe bring the beach to life. Artist lineup to be announced at a later date.
Nature-Driven Design:
Artwork will be created on the shoreline and naturally washed away with the evening tide, emphasizing the event’s harmony with nature. Artists will work together to create collaborative expressions.
Golden Hour Viewing:
Plan your visit around the low-tide sunset for the most striking views and photo opportunities. The sunset will be at 5 PM each night.
Family Activities:
Engage with hands-on “learn to sand draw” sessions for kids.
Be Part of the Art
Draw with The Artists
An artist will lead large-scale, collaborative beach drawings just north of the pier and you can get your drawing on—no experience needed. Drop in anytime during the window, borrow a drawing rake, and add your lines to the communal design. The beach will transform into a living canvas.
All ages welcome; materials provided.
Sandglobe Workshop
Learn the mesmerizing craft of making sand globes with environmental artist Zach Pine. In this hands-on workshop, Zach will guide you step-by-step. Gather, shape, and polish your own sandglobe using only sand and seawater.
Sessions are beginner-friendly, informal, and perfect for families, friends, and solo makers. Stop by under the pier, roll up your sleeves, and leave with sandy hands and a new skill.
What to Know
Times will be posted here as soon as they’re finalized.
Come ready to get a little sandy; we’ll supply basic tools and guidance.
Activities are free and open to all; participation is first-come, first-served.
About the Artists
Festival Co-Founder
Avery Kintner
San Luis Obispo, CA · @mandala.sea
This festival exists because a sand artist who lives here wanted to see it happen. Avery Kintner co-founded the Pismo Beach Sand Art Festival with the Pismo Beach Conference and Visitors Bureau in 2025, and drew the global sand art community to our shoreline. Avery has drawn on this beach for years, and still does.
“My art is ephemeral…lasting the moments that exist between the tides, that arise from the beautiful synchronicity of nature unfolding before me or that are inspired through sincere and honest friendship.”
Brian Tremain
California, USA
Stewardship
Pismo Beach is committed to sustainability and stewardship. No materials are used beyond sand and water, and every visitor is encouraged to leave the beach better than they found it.
The Pismo Beach Stewardship and Educational Outreach Program will be in the plaza on Saturday with materials about the program, information about the artists, and tools for joining a beach clean-up. Come learn more about Pismo Beach’s dedication to building a responsible tourism destination.
Accessibility
Because the art covers a large area of the beach, the best viewing points are from above. The pier, boardwalk, and areas around SeaCrest offer the strongest vantage points, and all are ADA accessible. See the map for examples.
NatureTrack will attend the event to provide accessibility support using its Freedom Trax mobility devices. The Freedom Trax is an all-terrain, power-driven wheelchair attachment that allows a wheelchair to sit securely on top. It enables users to independently navigate off-road terrain — including sand, gravel, grass, and trails — with confidence and ease. If you’re interested in using a Freedom Trax at the event, please visit naturetrack.org/borrow-a-freedom-trax
Frequently Asked Questions
Downtown parking is available, with free parking at Addie Street.
The festival is planned purposefully around the king tides, so artists have more sand to work with during the low tides — and the high tide can then sweep the beach clean into a fresh canvas.
Yes. The art is different every single day from each artist, as the waves wash away anything that came before. This is why it’s worth extending the stay throughout the weekend to maximize how many pieces can be seen.
Please don’t step on the art. Each mural represents hours of careful work, and a single footprint can’t be undone. The best views come from above anyway, so enjoy the pieces from the recommended lookouts along the pier, boardwalk, and bluffs. You’re welcome to watch the artists at work, please just give them room and stay clear of the canvas.
Absolutely and we’d love to see them! Because the art is washed away each day, your photos help preserve the work and share it with the world. Tag us at @pismobeachca and use #pismobeach so we can find your shots and feature them.
Plan Your Trip
Whether you’re coming for the day or planning a weekend getaway, check out all our latest information on hotels and the downtown.
- More Hotels Deals: Look for special rates at select Shell Beach and downtown accommodations.
- Parking & Access: Ample public beach access points are available near downtown Pismo and Shell Beach.
Exclusive Festival Hotel Offers
This festival is made possible by a collaboration between the Pismo Beach Conference and Visitors Bureau, the Pismo Beach Stewardship and Educational Outreach team, local artists, and community partners. Special thanks to Avery Kintner. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for artist previews, behind-the-scenes stories, and event updates.
