Panorama of campers and RVs along the beach at Oceano Dunes, California

Photo Gallery

Scenes From the Dunes

Riding, camping, wildlife, and the landmarks worth recognizing before you need them. Tap any photo to enlarge.

Life on the Sand

What a weekend at Oceano actually looks like.

Open sand dunes under a blue sky — The Open Dunes18 miles of the finest coastal dunes left in California

Dirt bike jumping off a dune — Sending ItKnow the backside before you leave the ground

Sand rail with a family aboard — Rail LifeFlag up, family aboard, bowls ahead

RVs and trucks camped along a dune ridge — Ridge CampThe weekend neighborhood

Fifth wheel trailer camped on the beach at dusk — Dusk on the BeachHome for the weekend

Two kids running down a sand dune — Dune RunnersNo horsepower required

Horseback riders on the beach — Shared BeachHorses have the right of way

Pickup truck stuck in the flooded creek — The Creek WinsWhy "closed means closed"

Lowered two wheel drive truck stuck in the sand — Strap TimeThe 2WD lesson, learned live

Campfire burning on the sand in front of a trailer — Camp FireThe evening ritual, done right

Panorama of campers and RVs along the beach — The Weekend CityHoliday weekends fill fast, so reserve early

A group of young riders in helmets and gear at the Oceano Dunes entrance — Helmets OnGeared up at the entrance before a day on the sand

Group of quad riders with whip flags gathered on the dunes at Oceano Dunes — The Weekend CrewFlags up, everyone accounted for

Sunset over the ocean from the beach at Oceano Dunes — End of the DayThe reason everyone stays till dark

Fifth wheel trailer with dirt bikes and a buggy parked at a beach camp at Oceano Dunes — Camp, Fully LoadedToys parked, awning out, day one

The Creek, Every Condition

From a trickle you'd barely notice to a flow that ends your trip. Real crossings, real days.

Arroyo Grande Creek flooded and running fast with muddy brown water at Oceano Dunes — Running HighWhen the creek means business

Rushing whitewater where Arroyo Grande Creek meets the ocean surf at Oceano Dunes — Where Creek Meets SurfTwo currents, one bad idea to mix

Arroyo Grande Creek calm and shallow at low tide at Oceano Dunes — Low Tide, Low DramaWhat you're aiming for

Vehicles parked near an easy shallow crossing of Arroyo Grande Creek at Oceano Dunes — An Easy DayShallow, wide, low tide

Eroded sand bank cut by Arroyo Grande Creek on an overcast day at Oceano Dunes — The Channel MovesYesterday's line isn't today's line

Trucks parked at Arroyo Grande Creek crossing at sunset at Oceano Dunes — Golden Hour CrossingWorth the wait, worth the photo

Know These Landmarks

Worth recognizing before you need them, especially the emergency resources.

Dunes Information Center structure with call box — Dunes Information CenterSand Highway · emergency call box on site

Yellow emergency call box on wooden posts — Emergency Call BoxSand Highway entrance

Park entrance kiosk — Entrance KioskFees, reservations, and straight answers

Post 2 with 15 MPH speed limit sign — Post 2Where the riding area begins

Interior of a vault toilet restroom — Vault ToiletsWhat "primitive facilities" actually means

CALSTAR medical helicopter landed on the dunes — CALSTAR MedevacWhen minutes matter

Ambulance and ranger truck on the beach — Beach ResponseSan Luis Ambulance on the sand

Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area sign — The Front DoorOceano Dunes SVRA

Grand Dunes Trail sign among dune vegetation — Grand Dunes TrailThe quiet side of the park

Vehicles lined up at the entrance gate with a park ranger at Oceano Dunes — The Entrance LineHave your paperwork ready

ADA accessible ramp leading to a restroom near the beach at Oceano Dunes — Accessible AccessRamps and facilities near the beach

Posted at the Park

The official signage, worth a read before your first trip.

Warning sign about sudden drop-offs — Drop-Off WarningThe dunes move; slipfaces don't announce themselves

Surviving the Surf illustrated beach safety poster showing sleeper waves, rip currents, and backwash — Surviving the SurfSleeper waves, rips, and backwash

Surf Fishing illustrated poster showing an angler casting and local surfperch species — Surf FishingFish the tide, not the clock

Protective Riding Gear and Safety Tips illustrated poster for motorcycle and ATV riders — Gear UpDress for the crash, not the ride

Snowy plover seasonal closure sign — Plover SeasonMarch 1 – September 30

Sensitive wildlife area do not enter sign on fence — Nesting ExclosuresThe fences that keep riding open

Other Rules and Regulations For Your Safety illustrated poster — Rules of the SandRide like the pros; ride straight

Mufflers and OHV Noise Regulations illustrated poster — Noise RulesRide quiet, keep it open

Closed area no motor vehicles sign posted in a restricted dune area at Oceano Dunes — Closed AreaRespect the fence, keep the riding areas open

Speed limit 15 sign with quads parked on the beach at Oceano Dunes — 15 MPH, Checked by RadarRangers do enforce it