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Oceano Dunes General Information
Welcome to Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area. Formerly Pismo
Dunes SVRA, this sand dune complex is geologically unique and also
provides an impressive playground for off-highway enthusiasts from
throughout the United States. One of several OHV areas administered by the
California Department of Parks and Recreation, Oceano Dunes also offers
visitors other recreational activities such as swimming, surfing, kite
surfing, jet skiing, surf
fishing, camping, and hiking.
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CAMPING AND FACILITIES
Camping is allowed south of Post 2 on the beach and in the open dune area.
Vault toilets and chemical toilets are provided, but water must be brought
in and trash must be packed out. Campsite reservation information can be
obtained by calling 1-800-444-7275. Campsites are available by reservation
year-round and can be made from 10 days to six months in advance.
Reservations are highly recommended, especially for holiday periods. Beach camping is recommended for 4- wheel drive vehicles only.
High tides, heavy rains, and blowing sand determine whether or not you can
drive down the beach without getting stuck. Access to the OHV and camping
area may be restricted periodically by Arroyo Grande Creek which is
subject to water releases at Lopez Dam and increased flow during winter
storms. Now for all of you that wonder if you are able to cross the creek
when it is closed, we had spoken to the local authorities to see if closed
means, "we do not recommend you cross" or "if you cross you
will get a ticket." The answer was, "If you cross, you will get
a ticket". Why? Well, if you do not make it, and your life is
on the line, you now are risking the lives of the local authorities to
rescue you. So please follow the rules.
Please
note : The Dumping of Gray-Water onto the
Beach, is Prohibited by State Law.
More Camping Information

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MORE INFO ON HOW TO CROSS THE CREEK
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Camp Fires
Camp fires are allowed but there are restrictions. In
many of the State Parks, the local authorities
discourage people from collecting and burning wood that is on State Park
Property. However, Oceano Dunes encourages people to collect and burn wood
that is laying around. It is against the law to burn anything other than
wood. Pallets and boards that have nails or any metal attached, is
prohibited. You will receive a ticket for unauthorized burning of
prohibited materials. Do not cover / bury fires with sand.
Please allow the fires to completely burn. It is not required for you to
stay with the fire. It is ok to leave a fire burning on the Oceano Dunes.
There is nothing worse than running over or parking on a buried
fire.
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Please
note: The winds can change at any given moment. Make sure
there is a good distance between your fire and any property.
(Especially
anything with a gas tank)
After a storm,
there is plenty of free wood to burn!
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THE OHV AREA
Post 2 is one mile south on the beach from Pier Avenue and marks the
beginning of the OHV area. All OHVs must be transported to this point
before off-loading. Fenced and signed areas are closed to vehicular use
either because the property beyond is private or because the area contains
sensitive plant and animal life. |
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GPS Points
REGISTRATION
All OHVs must be registered through the Department of Motor Vehicles and
display a current green sticker. Funds generated from OHV registration are
used for acquisition, development, and operation of OHV areas.
OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE USE
Driving an OHV can be an exciting, yet dangerous, adventure. You can
minimize your chance of injury and maximize your enjoyment through common
sense, intelligent vehicle operation and by extending courtesy and respect
to other riders.
A drivers license is not required to operate a vehicle
in the OHV area. However, if you have had a drivers license suspended or revoked,
it is illegal for you to operate a vehicle on the dunes.
Please
note: Sand Highway is an extension of PCH
(Hwy1) and all Governing HWY rules apply to Sand Highway up to POLE
11.
(i.e. Seatbelt, DUI, Speed Limits, Helmet Law, etc.)
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EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
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In case of vehicle accidents or injuries, contact a ranger or attempt to
radio ranger base on CB radio, channel 9.
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Do not move an
injured person unless he or she is in immediate danger.
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An emergency solar-powered
call-box is located at the entrance to Sand Highway.
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More Emergency Information |
If your vehicle becomes stuck, you might try the following:
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Drop your tire pressure, but don't go below 15 lbs PSI.
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Dig out the sand from around your tires.
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Recruit some friends and — keeping the front wheels straight —
push and drive your vehicle either forward or backward.
Don't allow
your wheels to spin, this will dig you in deeper.
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Beach towing is available if needed. |
Sand Dunes
The Oceano sand dune area is recognized by scientists, conservationists,
government agencies, and the public as the finest, most extensive coastal
dunes remaining in California. Most of the material that forms these dunes
has been carried down to the ocean by various rivers and creeks, deposited
here by ocean currents, and then shaped by the wind into the dunes that we
see today.
The prevailing winds that blow in from the ocean push sand particles up
into wave-like crests that run north-south. On the west or windward side
the slope is gentle. On the east or leeward side the slope is quite steep.
Sand grains, as they are blown over the dune crest tend to accumulate high
on the leeward slope; then, periodically thin tongues of sand slide down.
For this reason the leeward slope is called a "slipface."
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It is recommended that all ATV operators take part in a formal
safety training course under supervision of a certified ATV
instructor. Such training is mandatory for those under 18. |
Proper riding equipment is essential to the safe operation of an OHV.
Each ATV rider must wear a helmet and should wear proper protective
clothing. |
Before starting out, familiarize yourself with the terrain. Learn to
recognize the telltale signs of a slipface. AVOID SURPRISES. |
Inexperienced riders should thoroughly acquaint themselves with all
vehicle controls before starting out. Be especially cautious when
driving east in the dunes because dune slipfaces normally face to the
east. |
Drive within the limits of your ability. Don’t go faster or climb
higher than you can safely handle. Watch out for other riders. When in
doubt, take time to think and look the situation over before you
proceed. |
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Past Inhabitants
Indian and Indian settlements were noticed by the early Spanish maritime
explorers who sailed up the California coast, but the first European
explorers to actually travel through the dunes area were members of Don
Gaspar de Portola's overland expedition of 1769. In September of that
year, just after crossing the Santa Maria River, Portola's men killed
"un oso flaco" a skinny bear. The lake at the southern end
of the park takes its name from this incident.
During the 1930s and 40s, the dunes were the home of a group of free
thinking people including mystics, nudists, artists, writers, and hermits
who identified themselves collectively as the "Dunites." Among
other activities, the group published a magazine, which they called The
Dune Forum. The Dunites believed that Oceano Dunes was one of the centers
of creative energy in California. Seek out the solitude of the dunes and
perhaps you too, will feel these creative forces that the Dunites talked
about. |
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VEGETATION AND WILDLIFE
The Oceano Dunes area is home to a surprisingly wide range of plant and
animal life. Those who take the time to explore will see wildflowers, the
tracks of countless small mammals and insects, a variety of small birds at
the water's edge, and hawks, owls, pelicans, or gulls flying overhead.
Many kinds of shorebirds can be found on the beach, while other small
birds such as the Audubon warbler, or the long-billed marsh wren, as well
as red-tailed hawks and American kestrels are often sighted among the sand
dunes. Both the threatened snowy plover and the endangered California
least tern nest within the SVRA.
During the March 1 thru September 30 breeding season, small fenced
enclosures are constructed around the nests to protect these birds and
their offspring from the surrounding recreational use. With ongoing
support from OHVers, this nesting program has been a huge success.
Most of the wildflowers, shrubs, and grasses that can be found on the
dunes are fragile and easily destroyed. Plants that are native to the area
include the arroyo willow, California sagebrush, sand verbena, and bush
lupine. European beach grass is an introduced species, brought in around
the turn of the century to stabilize the dunes. Rare plants that may be
seen here include surf thistle and giant coreopsis. |
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PISMO CLAMS
Pismo clam populations fluctuate dramatically due to a variety of natural
influences. A fragile and valuable resource, Pismo clams may be taken
under the following regulations: |
Clammers must have a fishing license and an accurate (rigid)
measuring device in possession. |
Only Pismo clams at least 4 1/2" in length may be possessed. |
Undersized Pismo clams must be immediately reburied in the area
where dug. |
Bag limit is 10 Pismo clams |
Hours of clamming are 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after
sunset.
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What's Happening Now?
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FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
Oceano Dunes
State Vehicular Recreation Area
576 Camino Mercado, Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
(805) 473-7223 (Recorded)
Reservations: (800) 444-7275 |
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Central Coast Wheelers is doing it's part to keep our dunes open for
OHV's by picking up trash, repairing fences and informing visitors of the
rules and regulations. If you would like to volunteer your time to help
keep our dunes clean, please send us an e-mail. |
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Donations of any kind should go to FoOD (Friends of Oceano
Dunes) who has been doing their
part in the political arena. Please note that anger and rudeness will not
help the cause. If you want to be heard, please educate yourself and
communicate with FoOD. There is power in numbers, but only if the
numbers work as a team.
Please take the time to
visit them.

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Smile and Wave |
Please be friendly with the local
authorities that work at the dunes,
they have nothing to do with closures and are only trying to help
maintain
your safety and rights to ride. |
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THE MISSION OF THE ASA IS TO "UNITE, INFORM, AND MOBILIZE" WE ACCOMPLISH THIS MISSION THROUGH THE USE OF VOLUNTEERS AND
STAFF TO PROTECT THE RIGHT TO RECREATE ON PUBLIC LANDS.
WE BELIEVE IN RESPONSIBLE, ENVIRONMENTALLY BALANCED MANAGEMENT FOR ALL PUBLIC LANDS.
THE ASA COOPERATES WITH NATIONAL, REGIONAL AND LOCAL SAND SPORT ASSOCIATIONS. |
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