Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area (Pismo Dunes)

The only state park in California where you can legally drive on the beach. That fact alone draws crowds to this stretch of coastal dunes south of Oceano — quads, dirt bikes, four-wheel drives, and camp setups pitched directly on the sand. The dunes here are part of the larger Guadalupe-Nipomo system, the largest remaining dune complex south of San Francisco. Come for the off-road access; stay aware that nesting season closes portions of the beach between March and October.