Dune It on the Beach!

Here’s where camping on the beach means … camping on the beach! Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area is famous for its broad, flat beach, rolling sand dunes that seem to stretch out forever, reliably cool Central Coast temps, and its undesignated campsites that invite a sort of free-for-all atmosphere.

You can drive right on the beach here, though 4WD is recommended. If you blow it and get stuck in the sand, locals will come quickly to rescue you—for a fee, of course. But why risk it? If you don’t have the right wheels, just make the mile-long walk to the primitive campground. It’s a straight shot down the beach on firm, walkable sand. The campground starts just past Post 2, and aside from the areas clearly marked as “no camping,” the rest is wide open—just set up wherever you find a good spot! Watch out for the tide line, though, lest you awake to chilly waves lapping at your tent. Chemical toilets are provided, but you have to bring in your own water.

Oceano Dunes is a paradise for off-roaders, with miles of sand dunes to ride across. Don’t own an ATV? Spectating the scene can be entertaining, or get in on the fun! Plenty of vendors onsite will happily rent you a quad or dune buggy. Not into off-roading? Bird-watchers will enjoy searching for the endangered snowy plovers that reside in the protected area abutting the campground, and the vehicle-free dunes north of the park entrance are a blast to explore on foot. The campground crowd is on the rowdy side here, making it perfect for night owls and party animals. There is no quiet hour! The best part? It rarely fills up and is the cheapest beach camping you will find anywhere in SoCal. Spontaneous campers, rejoice!

Oceano Dunes SVRA is in Oceano, just south of Pismo Beach. Click here for a map of the area. From Hwy. 1, head west on Pier Ave. till it ends at the park entrance. The campground rarely fills up (holiday weekends being the exception), but you can still reserve a site through Reserve California. Though 2WD vehicles can drive on the wet sand, 4WD is recommended, especially since you’ll need to park away from the high tide line. Overnight parking is not permitted in the main Oceano Dunes parking lot, but you can leave your car at California Coast Candy Co.—a taffy shop by the park entrance—for a small fee. Just pay for your parking at the counter, and pick up some tasty confections while you’re there!