Oceano Dunes State Recreational Area / Guadalupe Dunes

Located in the community of Oceano, Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area is a state park with an unnamed five-mile-long beach that has light brown sand. This beach is also known as Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area Beach. The beach in this state park is surrounded by a large sand-dune field. Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area has lifeguards from June through Labor Day. However, the state park does not have any other amenities except restrooms, so plan accordingly. Dogs on leash are allowed in Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area.

The beach in Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area offers many fun activities including beachcombing, sunbathing, hiking, wildlife watching, fishing, horse-riding, kitesurfing, windsurfing, clam-digging, beach-driving, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, surfing, bodyboarding, camping, bodysurfing, boating, and jet-skiing. If you are planning to go into the water near Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area, we recommend being careful as the water here has rip currents. Depending on the time of the year, you can see many kinds of animals in the water near this beach including seals, sea lions, and migrating whales. You can also dig for Pismo clams on the beach in Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area. However, if you are planning to dig for clams in Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area, please make sure that you follow the local clam-digging regulations. If you like fishing, you can also catch large perches in the water near the beach. However please ensure compliance with the local fishing regulations while fishing in the water near this beach. A popular activity in Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area is beach-driving. However, if you are planning to drive on the beach in Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area, please make sure that you have a four-wheeled vehicle with large tires to avoid getting stuck in the sand. In addition, off-highway vehicles are also allowed in the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area. However, if you are planning to drive an off-highway vehicle in this state park, we recommend visiting the recreational area’s webpage on the California Department of Parks and Recreation’s website for useful information regarding off-highway vehicle driving rules. It is important to note that certain portions of this state park might be closed off to public access in order to preserve the endangered local plants and animals. 

If you like camping, Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreational Area also offers an amazing oceanfront camping experience. However, there are no specific designated campsites in Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area, and camping here is only recommended for visitors with four-wheeler vehicles. It is also important to note that visitors camping here do not have access to any other amenities except restrooms and a nearby fee-based dump station. If you are planning to camp here, you can visit Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area’s webpage on the California Department of Parks and Recreation’s website for useful information regarding camping rules and charges.

Getting to Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area is easy - the state park entrance is located near the intersection between Pier Avenue and Strand Way, where a parking lot is also available. It is important to note that you need to pay an access fee for visiting Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area.

There are many attractions near Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area. If you like bowling, Pismo Bowl is a bowling facility that offers a fun bowling session. Oceano Memorial Park is a recreational park that has picnic facilities, a children’s playground, a basketball court, and horseshoe pits. In addition, the park also has a lagoon which is a great fishing spot. In addition, there is also a campground near this park which accommodates both tents and RVs. This campground also has electricity and water hook-ups for RVs and coin-operated showers. If you are looking for another attraction near Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area, Price Historical Park is an important historical landmark and offers an interesting insight into the rich and vibrant history of San Luis Obispo County. This park has a historic 19th-century house (known as the Price Anniversary House) which was built by John Michael Price, the founder of the city of Pismo Beach. In addition, the park also has many hiking, biking, and equestrian trails. Docent-led tours are also offered throughout the park premises. 

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area. AJ Spurs Saloon & Dining is an upscale Old West-themed restaurant that offers delicious steaks, seafood, and burgers in generous portions. Old Juan’s Cantina is a Mexican restaurant that offers amazing burritos, enchiladas, and chimichangas. If you are looking for another good and affordable restaurant near Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area, Efren’s Mexican Restaurant offers amazing tacos, gorditas, and flautas.

If you are looking for a hotel near Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area, there are many great nearby options. The 4-Star Inn at The Pier offers many amenities including a rooftop terrace with a pool, sun loungers, two restaurants, a lobby bar with a lounge, and a gym. A more affordable hotel is the 3-Star Sandcastle Hotel on the Beach offers many amenities including complimentary snacks and coffee throughout the day, a bike rental facility, and a patio with lounge chairs and fireplaces that offers incredible ocean views. If you are looking for another good and affordable hotel near Ocean Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area, the 2-Star Beachway Inn Motel offers complimentary breakfast.