Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area is the only California State Park where you can drive on the beach. Coastal dunes on the Central Coast near Pismo Beach — mild weather year-round and a totally different vibe from the desert dunes.
At a glance
Quick facts
Best season
Year-round. Summer is busiest.
Managing agency
California State Parks — OHMVR Division
Access
Getting there
North entrance — West Grand Avenue, Grover BeachEntrance
Second beach access, north end. West Grand Avenue west off Highway 1 in Grover Beach.
The signed OHV open-area entrance. Take Pier Avenue west off Highway 1 in Oceano and drive onto the sand at the beach. This is the main staffed way in.
Source: California Vehicle Code §500, §38505, §38601–38602, CVC 27802. Checked Aug 2026. ohv.parks.ca.gov
Standard OHV rules (8)
Common equipment, registration and trail-use rules still apply.
Ride to the highest safety standard, not the legal minimum. A helmet, eye protection, a flag and proper gear are what get you home.
Green sticker or street registration required.
🪖 Side-by-side / UTV (factory-built, steering wheel, bucket seats, under 1,000cc, does over 30 mph): helmets on the driver and every passenger, and seat belts or a harness fastened whenever it is moving.
🪖 Sand car, sand rail, dune buggy, Jeep, or anything home-built or over 1,000cc: no helmet or seat-belt law applies. Wear them anyway.
🪖 Quads and ATVs: helmet on every rider, any age. Dirt bikes: helmet required under 18.
⚠️ Tuned it past 30 mph? A machine built for 30 or under that now goes faster is treated like a side-by-side, helmet and belt rules apply.
👶 A child seat does not replace a helmet. In a side-by-side, a child in a car seat still wears one.
🪖 Any helmet the law requires must meet FMVSS 218 and carry a DOT label.
Permits
Permits & registration
Weekly pass
$5 day-use vehicle entry.
Season pass
Annual day-use pass available.
Permit and registration details
Day-use fee per vehicle. Check current access, coastal riding areas have changing regulations.
State residents
California residents: OHV must display a current Green Sticker or Red Sticker registration from the CA DMV.
Out-of-state riders
Out-of-state riders: a California Nonresident OHV Use Permit is required unless your OHV carries current registration from your home state. $30 ($31.95 online), valid from purchase through December 31 of that year.
Permit and registration rules change. Confirm current requirements with the managing agency before you ride, you are responsible for compliance.
Trip support
Fuel, food & local help
Pump gas & diesel
Grover Beach, CA — closest to the Pier Avenue entrancefuel
MINUTES FROM THE RAMP · Closest fuel and supplies to the Pier Avenue beach entrance. 🔴 Fill BEFORE you drive onto the sand — there is nothing once you are on the beach.More
MINUTES FROM THE RAMP · Closest fuel and supplies to the Pier Avenue beach entrance. 🔴 Fill BEFORE you drive onto the sand — there is nothing once you are on the beach.
Area information is informational only and may be inaccurate or out of date. Verify access, weather, closures, permits and hazards before and during any trip. See Terms.
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