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Watch Artists Make Massive Sand Drawings at This California Festival

by Aoife O'Riordan

Oct 16, 2025

Andreas Henigschmid © Pismo Beach CVB

Destinations / North America

Family travelers will be mesmerized by the captivating creations in sand at this inaugural sand art festival in Pismo Beach, California. From Nov. 6 to 8, Pismo Beach Sand Art Festival transforms the shoreline into a living, open-air gallery where the tideline itself becomes the canvas.

 

Rachel Shiamh © Pismo Beach CVB

Free and family-friendly, this new event will see leading sand artists from around the world come to Pismo Beach to construct large-scale and intricate sand drawings and installations. Introduce kids to art in a fun way as they watch artists make designs using just sand and rakes. Kids will also learn about the power of the tides, for each night, the sand art fades, creating a fresh canvas for another day.

 

The best time to see the art will be around low tide at sunset. Drawings begin around 2 p.m. every day of the festival at Pismo Beach pier. The sun then sets at 5 p.m., making for great photos. After enjoying the art, families can walk the pier, beach and cliffs.

 

Brighton Denevan © Pismo Beach CVB

Artists featured in the inaugural festival include Manolo Froelich, Avery Kintner, Brighton Denevan, Andres Amador, Rachel Shiamh, Liam Cliff, Andreas Hoenigschmid and Andrew Quiroz, many hailing from California.

 

Families wanting to make a weekend at Pismo Beach can also enjoy special rates from nearby hotels in honor of the event. At Dolphin Bay, enjoy 30 percent off a stay Nov. 6–10 with code ART. Receive 25 percent off rooms at Shorecliff when staying Nov. 6–9. Sandcastle Inn offers up to 25 percent off stays when using code Local Happenings.

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