Oceano Dunes Natural Preserve

Address:	100 Pier Ave, Oceano, CA 93445, USA
Phone:	+1 805-773-7170
Site:	ohv.parks.ca.gov
Rating:	4.8
Working:	Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours

Location

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Leaflet

Photos 100

Reviews 20

LULU5112

BEWARE! BEWARE! BEWARE! The dunes can be deadly if you are not an experienced driver. Me and my family flew into a giant hole and ended up going by ambulance 5 minutes into a ride. Multiple fractures and lacerations. HAZARDS ARE NOT MARKED. NO ONE IS RESPONSIBLE. 170 people taken by ambulance to local ERs in 2015. Countless more injured. 4 DEATHS!!! due to accidents in 2015 alone. BEWARE! It looks like fun but you could die! We rented from STEVEs ATV Rental. Definitely buy insurance if you rent from them. They will try to rip you off if you have an accident. They dont care (perhaps even hope) that you do. They have no obligation to warn you of hazards or try to mark anything. BEWARE! BEWARE! BEWARE!

A Private User

Could be managed alot better... Too many people in one area for sure. Youll see one group rope of an acre of beach for one trailer, people block the main passage ways to get in and out of camp, lots of retards that think camp is for ripping all their off road toys instead of the sand dunes. Lets not forget the folks that block the beach while your trying to pull your 5th wheel out... Rangers you stink at your job. You must know that... lol. Sand dune wise it is OK but really noting challenging. Really small sand dunes. I would recommend going to Glamis if you like sand dunes. If you like the beach go to Coos Bay, Oregon.

Mike Mullaney

A really cool place to camp on the beach and ride the dunes! We met several extended families there and fortunately they have all the camping angle down to a science. The weather in June was a.) VERY WINDY as in several hours a couple days it was not possible to stay outside without covering all exposed skin and b.) cool to cold at night. The ocean was ripping so not much possible in the water at the time -- but still a must-see if you can.

Daniel Hernandez

One of the most adventurous places in California!! Here its common to see ATVs, custom SUVs, people camping on the beach, it is so amazing here words cant explain. There are many ATV rentals nearby plus a Humvee tour that meets up at the diner on Railroad Ave. Yet there are many rules, the locals and micro culture here is something to see, people here are generous and helpful if you get caught in the sand.

Joel Alesch

If you have quads and dirt bikes and toy haulers and crappy beer and a flat brimmed baseball hat that you tuck your ears into, knock yourself out, you will love this place! If you want to have a nice, quiet camp on the beach, not going to happen. If you go to the north section, near the campsite, it might be nicer because the vehicles cant go up there. Very beautiful trees and landscape there!

Dena Sandelier

Beautiful, relaxing, just overall a great place to bring your family or for you and your sweetie. The views are breathtaking especially at sunset which is my favorite. You can do all things you typically do at this beach including camping, bring your own or rent atvs and dirt bikes, which are VERY popular there. It is number two, just behind Yosemite, on my list of great escapes in Nor Cal.

Steve Tjiang

You can reach the south end of the Recreation area via the Oso Flaco Road just north of Guadalupe. There is a nice hike over a walkway that traverses a nice lake and a boardwalk out to the ocean. If you walk south once you reach the beach you can reach the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Preserve. This hike will let you avoid all the ATVs and other vehicles found in the northern part of the park.

Manuela Ziegler

Absolut verrückt hier! Muss man mal gemacht haben! Allerdings hat mir ein Tag gereicht da es nur neblig und windig gewesen ist. Alle sind sehr hilfsbereit, wenn man mit seinem Wohnmobil stecken bleibt.

Anoop Kollengot

Amazing place that I could say like a cold desert. We took ATV from BJs ATV Rentals, which is almost a mile away from the dunes. They usually charge $60/1hr and $85/2hr for heavy ATVs and it was really crowded during the long weekend. Later we found there are a lot of other ATV rentals available there in the Oceano itself. Anyway ATV ride is a must try there in Oceano Dunes

Paul Malarik Jr

One of the very few, if any, places to drive your car on the beach. Use common sense & lots of cautionary Physics...especially Newtonian! Easy to get stuck with a ordinary car if not cautious. Fun for the kids, when you partially "surf" with your car in the shallows, at your own risk. Sunset can be amazing. Definitely gets your adrenaline going!

Kay Weber

At the south end of this busy motor adventure place nature offers the opposite, a beautifully wild nature preserve, quiet, calm and quite special with all its wildlife. But it is most convenient to reach this part of the beach from the south, over the Oso Flaco Lake trail. It takes about an hour hike and is well worthwhile.

corey grose

Love this beach! I have been coming here for about 10 years at least once every year for a week at a time and have always had a blast. Dont have to deal with a lot of stupid people and cant relax and have a great time. Its also cheap to drive on the beach plus they have shops and food near by! Always an awesome time!

Sergio Torosyan

If you like wilderness, camping, riding bunnies or ATV, this is the place to be. If you have a 4WD or off-road you can park right at the beach, if not finding a parking space is a problem. If you are going to ride an ATV, rent it online, its chipper and faster. Honda 250 ATVs are pretty good for a beginner.

Peter Newport

Very busy all day! The parking is usually full, and it is often pretty noisy from all the dirt bikes and 4 wheelers. If you are camping in an RV or even just in tents, take a post with a unique flag or something similar so you can find it easily.

Ernie Lucero

Amazing place, seems like an endless playground of sand. Its a must have experience to visit, pick up an ATV to rush up and down the dunes. WARNING: strict rules about speeding and natural preservation please be sure to read signs and be safe.

Marcus Flores

Awesome place for family & friends to get together pitch a tent or pull the 5thwheeler & set up camp on the beach fire & all. Alot of dunes to ride your quads, side by sides, or go 4wheeling in your jeeps. Really is a neat place to get away.

Jeanna Curtner

Drive your rv on the sand and camp out! Take your sand toys because the Dunes are a blast! Sometimes you need reservations well in advance. But, so worth it. Close to everything you love about the beach... Restaurants, shopping, parks etc.

Stefanie Wedde

Have been coming here for 7 years. Good time to relax and ride ATVs. The small preserve has a nice walking path. Always enjoy camping on the beach. If you want quiet, avoid holidays, as it is extremely busy. Lots of nice folks around.

Christine Lansing

Oceano dunes has been my go to place every July or August. Being away from the busy every day to day life relaxing and enjoying the outdoors, riding the dunes and the nice cool sea breeze. What more can you ask for. I love this place.

Darryel Custer

The ocean camping right by it, the only bad thing is a lot of quad riders, and most of them dont know the rules or dont know how to ride, but the place is excellent, very nice and patrolled by Rangers and the police department