Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreational Area

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Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreational Area Photos

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Description

Oceano Dunes is an awesome place. It's the only beach in California where you can drive your private vehicle on the sand. We've got photos to prove it.

There are five miles of beach and miles and miles of sand dunes open for OHV's (off-highway vehicles). All vehicles are allowed on the beach, but those with higher clearance are strongly recommended. You have to cross Arroyo Grande Creek to get to the dunes area and also Oso Flaco Creek if you head further south. The speed limit is 15 mph.

We saw many dirt bikes and ATVs speeding around the sand dunes. I have to say it really did look like fun. A lot of people camp on the beach either in RVs or tents and spend the day riding the dunes. If you didn't bring your own, many ATVs are available for rent on the beach.

Older folks may remember when the dunes were inhabited by the "Dunites". In the1930s and 40s, a group of free thinking people including mystics, nudists, artists, writers, and hermits inhabited the Oceano sand dunes because they believed the dunes were a source of creative energy. The dunes are beautiful and if you go back far enough I could see where you could easily get turned around and lost, perhaps even lost in thought.

There are two entrances to the park. The north entrance is at Grand Avenue in Grover Beach and the south entrance is at Pier Avenue in Oceano. Enter at Pier Avenue to be closest to the dunes.