State area consisting of five and half miles of beach open for vehicle use and a large area of the sand dunes open for off-highway vehicle (OHV) use
General Information
Vehicle access may be restricted during high tides at Arroyo Grande Creek
Camping: $10 per night
Senior discount: $1 off
Walk-in and bike access: Free
How to Get There
From San Luis Obispo, CA (18 mi): Take US-101 S to CA-1 S, exit at Grand Avenue in Grover Beach, continue west to the beach access point, then follow signs to Oceano Dunes SVRA.
Overview
Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area south of Oceano is the only state park in California where you can legally drive on the beach, with five and a half miles of beach and a large dune area open to off-highway vehicles. It is part of the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes, the largest remaining dune system south of San Francisco, and it is managed by California State Parks’ off-highway motor vehicle program. The area draws about 2 million visitors a year for riding, beach camping, horseback riding and bird watching. Its future has been debated for years, since the California Coastal Commission voted in 2021 to phase out vehicle use but a 2025 appeals court ruling found that the commission had exceeded its authority, so visitors should check State Parks for current rules.
Access
The park has two main entrances on the beach: the north entrance at the end of Grand Avenue in Grover Beach and the south entrance at the end of Pier Avenue in Oceano. From San Luis Obispo, take Highway 101 south and Highway 1 to Grand Avenue and drive west to the beach entrance. Vehicle day use is $5 per vehicle on the official site, and day-use passes are sold first come, first served at the entry kiosks. Beach driving requires a vehicle suited to sand, and access can be restricted by high tides, heavy rain and blowing sand.
Seasons
The park is open year-round, with summer and holiday weekends being the busiest. Crowds are lighter in spring and fall, when the weather is mild. Fog and wind are common, especially in summer afternoons, and winter storms can bring heavy surf and rain that make driving on the beach difficult. Arroyo Grande Creek can periodically restrict vehicle access depending on winter flows and releases from Lopez Dam. Park staff also protect nesting areas of the western snowy plover, so check for posted closures.
Things to Do
Drive and Ride on the Beach and Dunes
Four-wheel-drive vehicles, ATVs, dune buggies and motorcycles can be driven on the beach and in the open riding area of the dunes. Riders must follow posted rules, and a vehicle day-use fee is charged.
Camp on the Beach
Primitive beach and dune camping is available with no designated sites, and four-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended. Vault and chemical toilets are provided, and reservations can be made up to six months ahead.
Horseback Riding and Beach Walks
The long, flat beach is good for walking, horseback riding, surf fishing and watching sunsets. Leashed dogs are allowed on the beach but not at Oso Flaco Lake or the Pismo State Beach Dune Preserve.
Watch Birds and Wildlife
The dunes, wetlands and creek mouth attract shorebirds and waterfowl, including the western snowy plover, which nests on the beach.
Visitor Centers
Oceano Dunes SVRA does not list a visitor center. Entry kiosks at Grand Avenue and Pier Avenue sell day-use passes, and rangers can answer questions about beach conditions. The district office is at (805) 773-7170 and the ranger station is at (805) 473-7220. Current conditions, tide-related access limits and any closures are posted on the district’s social media pages and the State Parks website.
Camping and Lodging
The park allows primitive camping on the beach and dunes, with reservations through ReserveCalifornia, and a fee-based RV dump station on Le Sage Drive. Nearby Pismo State Beach also has campgrounds that State Parks manages. Motels, hotels and vacation rentals are in Oceano (about 1 mile), Grover Beach (about 2 miles) and Pismo Beach (about 3 miles), with more choices in Arroyo Grande and San Luis Obispo within about 20 minutes. Book early for summer weekends and holidays.
This article uses material from the Wikipedia article "Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes ", which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0. Additional information from California State Parks.
