Cal Poly’s Center for Coastal Marine Sciences cordially invites the community to tour the Cal Poly Pier in Avila Beach from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26.  

The public event is open and enjoyable to those of all ages. Event activities will be held at the end of the 0.6-mile-long pier where visitors will enjoy 360-degree views of San Luis Bay and interact with touch tanks full of live marine creatures.  

Guests will have the opportunity to view tiny marine species through microscopes and learn about whale migrations and the recent red tides. Interactive displays will offer insights into local marine environments and scientific studies conducted by Cal Poly researchers and students on protection of Morro Bay’s ecosystem, sustaining local fisheries, mapping ocean currents, and much more.  

Cal Poly professors and students will be on hand to answer any questions. 

Attendees may take the tour at their own pace and they are encouraged to bring cameras to take photos of sea otters, pelicans, other sea creatures and incredible coastal views.  

To best prepare, guests should be aware:  
-The event is a walking tour on a pier with grating and closed-toe walking shoes are required (safety rules prohibit flip-flops or heels) 
-Visitors should bring their own water bottles  
-All animals must be left at home
-All visitors will be required to sign a safety waiver prior to entering the pier.  

The Cal Poly Pier is located on Avila Beach Drive, just west of the San Luis Creek Bridge. Parking is very limited near the pier. Tour attendees are encouraged to park in the public parking lots in Avila Beach and walk to the pier. 

Note: Rain will cancel the event. 

About the Cal Poly Pier: The pier was donated to the university in 2001 by Unocal, now Chevron Corp., and supports field research for Cal Poly’s Center for Coastal Marine Sciences program. Nearly 3,000 students use the pier each year for classes and research activities.  

Media Contact: Nick Wilson  
805-756-7236, nwilso28@calpoly.edu 

Event/Program Contact: Shira Greenbaum  
805-756-5376, ccms@calpoly.edu