Pacific Dunes Ranch Campground Trail, Oceano
The dunes at Pacific Dunes Ranch Campground are truly magnificent, like dunes in a national park or the Sahara Desert! As you drive up, you can tell you're in for a treat! Park at the grey building at the entrance to Pacific Dunes Ranch Campground and then walk through the RV campground to the Sandboarding Entry Trailhead. There is a wooden fence and some tall grasses. Now you are at the endless wide expanse of dunes! We saw photographers taking photos in the tall grasses at the top of a dune with the stretch of dunes behind. These dunes are rare in California, because they don't have grasses or shrubs, but just perfect, pristine sand. There are areas of footsteps, and areas of untouched wavy patterns. There are walls of sand, and curvy ridges. At the top of the first high peak, you can see the ocean! It's fun to watch the fog roll in, and see the wispy cloud shadows move across the dunes. What joy! Come on a September or early October day when the sky is bright not hazy, and the wind isn't cold or fierce.
Wear sunscreen! It's very bright, reflecting up on your face even if you have a hat on.
After, have a cup of tea at Red Bee Coffee (open daily 7-2) in the West End area of Grover Beach, a four minute drive away, then buy a loaf of cheddar sourdough bread from Grover Beach Sourdough to bring home.
While in Oceano, stop by the cute yellow historic rail station, Oceano Depot. It is in a different spot to the modern railroad station that is in use in Grover Beach. There's not much to see though, besides the station and a caboose. But if you can come during the model railroad days, it's fun to see the tiny trains. In 2026, this will be held on April 4-5, April 11-2, and October 3-4.
The satisfying shape of the dunes.
Wide open expanse!!!
The sea beyond the dunes! You must walk to the first peak to see this.
Chunky shapes!
The sand is firm enough that it's not to bad to walk.
King of the mountain!
Love heart in the sand.
How amazing is this sand dune paradise!
Vegetation then pristine dunes.
The shape of the dunes is like a dream.
Women setting forth from the trailhead fence.
A man stands on the first peak.
A young couple walk from the grey building toward the RV campground.
You can see the dunes as you drive along Silver Spur Place!
Horseback Riding building, like a movie set.
Picnic table that matches with the distant dunes.
Logs at the trailhead.
Looking back at the RV campground from the dunes.
What a lovely sight! Pale yellow sand and blue sky.
A wall of sand!
Wavy patterns in the sand.
Looking back toward Oceano town.
By-the-wind sailors jellyfish along the shore by the 4WD parking at Pole #2 on the beach behind the dunes.
Pacific Dunes Ranch Campground is located at 1205 Silver Spur Place, Oceano, CA. Park at the grey building and then walk through the RV campground to the Sandboarding Entry Trailhead. You are now at the dunes!
If you're on the beach with a 4WD vehicle, you can park on the beach at Pole #2 and walk inland to these dunes.
Last Updated: Thu, 12 Feb 2026 16:15:14 GMT
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