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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 — reserve early
Family in a rented yellow dune buggy
Rented SmilesQuads and buggies for hire at the gates

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

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 ocean safety sign
Surviving the SurfSleeper waves, rips, and backwash
Surf fishing information sign
Surf FishingFish the tide, not the clock
Protective riding gear safety sign
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 safety sign
Rules of the SandRide like the pros; ride straight
Mufflers and OHV noise regulations sign
Noise RulesRide quiet, keep it open