OCEANO DUNES SVRA & CAMPGROUND (Pismo State Beach, San Luis Obispo County, CA)

We RV camped at Oceano Campground, part of Pismo State Beach, last August, and loved this relatively uncrowded part of the Central Coast. The campground, beach access trails, and beach itself are all pet friendly and even though the campground was full, it felt cozy and tranquil. There are two beach access trails and one to the dunes right next to the campground, each a short 5-10 minute jaunt to the cool blue waters of the Pacific ocean. Btw, this is the only beach in California where you can drive a vehicle along the shore. At first I thought we'd see a bunch of drunk ATV riders barreling through the sand but actually, all the cars (and there weren't too many) that came through drove slowly and respectfully past the beachcombers. This was our fur babies' first time on a beach and they had a blast after getting over their initial aversion to the waves and surf. The campground itself has partial hookup sites, showers, restrooms, and visitor center along with a native plant garden, interpretive trail and trail around an adjacent lagoon. The only complaint I would have is that there are mosquitoes in the evening, probably due to the fact that there's a lagoon nearby, so repellant or staying inside a screened area is advisable. 

8/7/17

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8/7/17

8/7/17 Brown Pelicans

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8/8/17

8/8/17 Oceano Dunes District Visitor Center.
This $2.5M facility, which is right next to the 
campground, was completed in December of 2016.

8/8/17 Since the visitor center is only open Thursday through Sunday, 
we didn't have a chance to go inside on this trip. 

8/8/17 It's about a 5 minute walk to the beach from this access trail at the campground.

8/8/17 This trail from the campground intersects with the Grand Dunes Trail 
and is about a 10 minute walk to the beach.

8/8/17 Beach access trail to Grand Dunes Trail, Oceano Dunes SRVA

8/8/17 Beach access trail to Grand Dunes Trail, Oceano Dunes SRVA

8/8/17 Beach access trail to Grand Dunes Trail, Oceano Dunes SRVA

8/8/17 Beach access trail to Grand Dunes Trail, Oceano Dunes SRVA

 8/8/17 Beach access trail to Grand Dunes Trail, Oceano Dunes SRVA

8/8/17 Beach access trail to Oceano Dunes SRVA

8/7/17 Coastal Iceplant/Sea Fig (Carpobrotus chilensis), a South African native that grows prolifically along the California coastal dunes areas.
Beach access trail from Oceano Campground to Oceano Dunes SRVA

8/7/17 Coyote Brush (Baccharis pilularis)
Beach access trail from Oceano Campground to Oceano Dunes SRVA

8/7/17 Ngaio Tree (Myoporum laetus), a New Zealand species that has 
been planted along the California coast.
Beach access trail from Oceano Campground to Oceano Dunes SRVA

8/7/17 California Aster (Corethrogyne filaginifolia).
Beach access trail from Oceano Campground to Oceano Dunes SRVA

8/7/17 Narrowleaf Iceplant (Conicosia pugioniformis), a South African native that has naturalized along the California coast.
Beach access trail from Oceano Campground to Oceano Dunes SRVA

8/7/17 Branching Phacelia (Phacelia ramosissima).
Beach access trail from Oceano Campground to Oceano Dunes SRVA.

8/7/17 Yellow Bush Lupine (Lupinus arboreus).
Beach access trail from Oceano Campground to Oceano Dunes SRVA.

8/8/17 Silver Dune Lupine (Lupinus chamissonis)
Beach access trail from Oceano Campground to Oceano Dunes SRVA.

 8/8/17 Beach access trail from Oceano Campground to Oceano Dunes SRVA.

8/8/17 Arroyo Willow (Salix lasiolepis)
Beach access trail from Oceano Campground to Oceano Dunes SRVA

8/8/17 Beach access trail from Oceano Campground to Oceano Dunes SRVA

8/8/17 Beach Primrose (Camissoniopsis cheiranthifolia) near the visitor center.

Sea Rocket (Cakile maritima)
Beach access trail from Oceano Campground to Oceano Dunes SRVA.

Beach access trail from Oceano Campground to Oceano Dunes SRVA.


Beach access trail from Oceano Campground to Oceano Dunes SRVA.


Beach access trail from Oceano Campground to Oceano Dunes SRVA.

8/8/17 Salt Heliotrope (Heliotropum curassavicum)
Beach access trail from Oceano Campground to Oceano Dunes SRVA.

Monterey Pine (Pinus radiata)
Beach access trail from Oceano Campground to Oceano Dunes SRVA.

County: San Luis Obispo County

Management:  California State Parks

Closest City/Town: Oceano

Address: 555 Pier Avenue, Oceano CA 93445

Contact Info (Visitor Center): Tel (805)474-2664

Trails: Bike trails & foot paths. 1/2 mile trail from the parking lot leads to several viewing platforms. 

Websites: 
http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1207

https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=595 

Our Critter List: Heerman's Gulls, Curlew, Brown Pelicans (all at the beach).