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| Home > California > Oceano |
Oceano Dunes SVRA
Saturday, December 23, 2023
| Other Names | Pismo Beach, Pismo Dunes, Guadalupe - Nipomo Dunes |
| Last Known Status | Open |
Here you can grab a spot on the beach and ride the tide pools and the surrounding dunes. This area caters to those who like sand in their ears and it gets so busy that it is quite entertaining.
Get there early for a good spot on holiday weekends, and remember to lower your tire pressure after you pass the gate. A 2WD vehicle can handle the firm wet part of the beach with the tire pressure low enough, but 4x4s are strongly recommended.
There is also plenty to do and see in the surrounding tourist town, such as clamming, horseback riding, surfing and seafood restaurants.
The dunes are semi-firm, and we tackled them on 2-strokes with fresh tires but no paddles. (Ok, so maybe one of our two strokes dumped its coolant and seized up, but that was only because we were too lazy to re-jet!... Maybe you better bring the paddles.) Flags are required.
REGULATIONS
| Permit Required | Yes | CA OHMVR stickers required |
| Dates Open | Daily 7am to 8pm | CA OHMVR red sticker vehicles permitted year round |
| Other ATV Stickers Accepted | Yes | Residents of any state not listed must purchase a Nonresident OHV Use Permit. (AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, IA, ID, IN, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, ND, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, TX, UT, VT, WA, WI, WY) |
| Spark Arrestor | Yes | A spark arresting exhaust silencer or end cap is required for all vehicles. |
| Noise Limit | Yes (96 dB) | CA OHMVR noise limits apply (1985/older limit 101 dB, 1986/newer limit 96 dB) |
| Whip Flags | Yes (96 inches) | Whip Flags Required For Safety All vehicles must have whip flag. |
| Maximum Vehicle Width | No Restriction | |
 Motorcycles & Dirt Bikes | Permitted | CA OHMVR stickers required |
 ATVs | Permitted | CA OHMVR stickers required |
 UTV & SXS | Permitted | CA OHMVR stickers required |
 SUVs & Jeeps (registered) | Permitted | |
| Dune Buggy & Sand Rail 4x4 (unregistered) | Permitted | CA OHMVR stickers required |
| 2 Stroke Engines | No Restriction | CA OHMVR restrictions apply |
| MX Helmet Required | Yes | helmets required by state law |
 Camping | No Restriction | (camp anywhere) |
 Campfires | No Restriction | |
| Night Riding | Yes | night riding permitted until 11pm - headlights required |
| Trail Blazing | Some Areas | |
| Alcohol | No Restriction | |
| Rule Enforcement | Some | Dedicated Rangers/Officers ATV/Saddle Mounted Patrol Gate Inspection |
| Comment | All OHVs are required to have a red or orange colored whip flag. During major holiday weekends ranger staff is supplemented by volunteer groups. | |
TERRAIN
| Approx Size | 1,500 acres (2 sq mi) | |
| Climate Type | Coastal | |
| Elevation | 0 to 200 ft. | |
| Trail Maintenance | Not Marked, Not Rated, Not Maintained | |
| Loose Dirt |  None | |
| Hard Pack | None | |
| Sand |  All | paddle or sand tire recommended for best experience |
| Mud | None | |
| Dust | None | |
| Rocks | None | |
| Trees | None | |
| Steep Hills |  Few | |
| Water Crossings | Few | |
| Small Jumps |  Many | |
| Large Jumps | Many | |
| Berms | Few | |
| Sand/Gravel Pits | All | |
| Single Track | None | |
| Roads | None | |
| Intersections | All | |
| Rider Traffic | Many | |
| Shade | None | |
| Ranges/Gunfire | None | |
| Hazards |  Some | (hazards not marked) heavy rider traffic, deep sand - lower your vehicle tire pressure until sidewalls start to bulge |
 Novice |  Little | |
 Amateur | Some | |
 Expert | Little | |
| Comment | There is one water crossing on the beach about 3/4 mile past post 2; you do need to cross it to get to the other side, could possibly get very deep during high tide months. | |
TYPE OF AREA
| Area | Off-Road Dunes |
| Land | State Recreation |
KEY SERVICES
 Gasoline | 1-5 Miles (N) | 7-11 (805) 773-1208 |
| Diesel | 5-20 Miles (N) | Shell (805) 773-1622 |
 Water | 1-5 Miles (N) | Oceano Campground (805) 781-4900 |
 RV Hookup | 1-5 Miles (N) | Oceano Campground (805) 781-4900 |
 RV Disposal | 1-5 Miles (N) | Oceano Campground (805) 781-4900 |
| Campground | On Site | |
 Conv Store | 1-5 Miles (NE) | Market Express (805) 481-7032 |
FEES & PASSES
| Parking | (None) |
| Entry | Yes ($5.00 per vehicle) Annual Pass - $50/vehicle |
| Riding | (None) |
| Camping | Yes Tent: $10.00 RV: $10.00 Addtl. Vehicle: $0.00 |
| Comment | Campground with RV hookups nearby at Pismo State Beach - call (805) 473-7220 for rates and availability. |
RATINGS
| Pros | ride into the ocean, scenic views of sand dunes, facilities are nearby, nice tourist town, people are friendly |
| Cons | extremely crowded, thousands of riders, not a lot of interesting riding |
| Our Rating |  Good |
| Recommended Stay | Full Day |
| Comments | (Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments) |
DRIVING DIRECTIONS
| Nearest City | Oceano, CA | ||
| Address | 928 Pacific Blvd, Oceano, CA 93445 | ||
| From: Sacramento, CA
1) Take I-5 South to 41 West 2) Take 41 West to 101 South to Pismo Beach to 1 South 3) Continue past Pismo State Beach. Entrance on right. From South: 1) 101 North or I-5 north to Rte 166 West 2) Take Rte 166 West to Rte 1 North 3) Entrance on left. |
OFFICIAL CONTACTS
| Contact Info | Oceano Dunes SVRA 928 Pacific Blvd Oceano, CA 93445 (805) 773-7170 (805) 473-7220 ohvinfo.ohv@parks.ca.gov ohv.parks.ca.gov |
Oceano Dune Area Photo
Riding along the coastline is so much fun.
Oceano Dune Area Photo
Oceano Dune Area Photo
Oceano Dune Area Photo
Oceano Dune Area Photo
Oceano Dune Area Photo
Oceano Dune Area Photo
Oceano Dune Area Photo
Oceano Dune Area Photo
Oceano Dune Area Photo
Oceano Dune Area Photo
This place gets crowded quickly, so come early to find a good place to stage.
Oceano Dune Area Photo
Oceano Dune Area Photo
Oceano Dune Area Photo
This place attracts all sorts of OHV's.
Oceano Dune Area Photo
Oceano Dune Area Photo
RIDER COMMENTS & REVIEWS