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Thread: Oceano dunes

  1. #1
    Planetarydefender
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    Oceano dunes

    Anyone know how to get to some dunes at or near Oceano that allow foot travel only.

    Thanks,

    Carl

  2. #2

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    Re: Oceano dunes

    Just ask the rangers.

    North of Oceano you might want to check out Oso de Oro park in Los Osos, just to the Souh of Morro Bay, this California State Park features a huge spit comprised of dunes and is seperated from Morro Rock by the channel. While they do allow horses in the park there are so many dunes you can spend all day there without running into one.
    "I would feel more optimistic about a bright future for man if he spent less time proving that he can outwit Nature and more time tasting her sweetness and respecting her seniority"---EB White

  3. #3

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    Re: Oceano dunes

    http://www.dunescenter.org/ottoso.htm

    This is a great area. I have never seen anyone in a dune buggy out this far but then I've never bothered going in the summer.
    There is a very cool wooden bridge and several viewing areas that cross the lake and staying on this trail leads you out to the dunes.
    Last edited by Tori Nelson; 24-May-2009 at 23:25. Reason: clarification

  4. #4
    LF/ULF Carbon Printer Jim Fitzgerald's Avatar
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    Re: Oceano dunes

    Carl, there are several places in the Oceano area to explore. i think the Oceano dunes are over run with dune buggies but I have never been on them so I don't know for sure. The dunes that Tori mentions out of Oso Flaco that are south of Oceano are very nice. Yes, there is a fresh water lake and much to see. It is a trek from the parking area to the dunes. Farther south at the end of Main street are the Guadalupe dunes and this is the place to go. I have been there 6 times and have never see another soul.The Snowy Prowler nests there and the dunes are only open from October to the end of February, I think. Best to check with them.
    North of here is Montana de Oro state park which is out of Los Osos.If you take Los Osos valley road west off of the 101 and take it to the very end the road it dead ends in the park. You have some dunes, a Eucalyptus forest and great cliffs that over look the ocean and great shots of the coastline. Make sure on your way out or into this area you check out the Oak Preserve just as you get into Los Osos proper. It will be on your left. The forest takes you back in time. Some great trees that I need to explore some more.

    Jim
    Last edited by Jim Fitzgerald; 25-May-2009 at 06:28. Reason: it is early!

  5. #5
    Robert Oliver Robert Oliver's Avatar
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    Re: Oceano dunes

    For the Oceano Dunes, I usually park at the Livery Stables on the very North end of the dunes and walk back in... Winter is usually best, because I assume all of these dunes will be tracked out by foot traffic during the summer months. I could be wrong. This is also the time of year with the best on shore winds so they might repair themselves rather quickly. Three day weekends will be your worst bet.

    The north end of the dunes is off limits to off road vehicles. You can also find vehicle free areas south of the off road area by accessing the dunes at Oso Flaco lake and Main Street in Guadalupe. The dunes at Main Street are kind of cool because you can find some of the remnants of Cecille B. Demilles' (sp) movie set from the 10 Commandments. The other way to get to the southern part of the dunes is to join the nuts by driving down the beach to "pole 8" and park near the fence, from there you can walk in to untracked dunes. If you drive on the beach, the river crossing can be dangerous in the winter and the closer you get to the fence, the more you will need a 4wd vehicle. But don't worry, there are 4wd tow trucks that will gladly yank you out of the sand for a hefty fee.

    Montana de Oro State Park has a set of dunes that allow only foot traffic... They are really cool. To get to these dunes there is a parking lot and a wooden foot bridge near the entrance to the state park. You can also hire a boat in Morro Bay to ferry you across to the Dunes.

    Quote Originally Posted by John Kasaian View Post
    Just ask the rangers.

    North of Oceano you might want to check out Oso de Oro park in Los Osos, just to the Souh of Morro Bay, this California State Park features a huge spit comprised of dunes and is seperated from Morro Rock by the channel. While they do allow horses in the park there are so many dunes you can spend all day there without running into one.
    Last edited by Robert Oliver; 25-May-2009 at 08:31. Reason: forgot about a couple of spots
    Robert Oliver

  6. #6
    Robert Oliver Robert Oliver's Avatar
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    Re: Oceano dunes

    in summer you are more likely to encounter fog on the coastline all day long...
    Robert Oliver

  7. #7

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    Re: Oceano dunes

    Oops! I meant to write Montana de Oro park (not Oso de Oro, which is a local park here in Fresno) I must have suffered a bout of OIS(Oro Imbalance Syndrome!)
    "I would feel more optimistic about a bright future for man if he spent less time proving that he can outwit Nature and more time tasting her sweetness and respecting her seniority"---EB White

  8. #8
    Planetarydefender
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    Re: Oceano dunes

    Wow thanks everyone for such great response!

    I am planning a trip to SB next week for the Brett Weston Exhibit from San Jose so I intend to photograph my way there and back. I had been to the dunes south of Oceano once but it was closed.

    Can anyone recommend a good place to tent/car camp that isnt the walk in type? I would rather avoid campgrounds that are noisy.

    Thanks,

    Carl

  9. #9
    Robert Oliver Robert Oliver's Avatar
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    Re: Oceano dunes

    for quiet... I'd recommend Lopez Lake... nice place to photograph too... especially foggy mornings and oak trees. watch out for the wild turkeys. Probably 1/2 hour drive to the dunes if you take the back roads.

    Anything close to the beach, imo, is usually filled with a "different" type of camper once you get into the summer months. (Nothing like camping next to adrenaline junkies all hyped up on Monster Energy Drinks, red bull, budweiser and whiskey)

    jalama beach campground is kinda cool... but farther away. And during the summer months can be hard to get into. Surfers can get a little loud.

    I think there are some cool campgrounds off of San Marcos pass (red rocks), Lake Cachuma and possibly something quiet in the hills behind Michael Jackson's Neverland ranch... Figueroa Mountain area has some campgrounds... probably 45 mintues to and hour away from dunes.
    Last edited by Robert Oliver; 25-May-2009 at 13:16. Reason: forgot about a couple of spots
    Robert Oliver

  10. #10

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    Re: Oceano dunes

    There is a camp ground at Montana de Oro which is quite nice, especially towards the evening (you can join the rest of campers at the beach access, beverage of choice in hand, to watch the sunset.) The water lines apparently were crossed in the lavatories, which must have been flushing hot water down the toilets. It made taking showers on foggy mornings quite interesting when someone would flush and the shower water would stream ice cold! Wakes you up in a hurry!
    "I would feel more optimistic about a bright future for man if he spent less time proving that he can outwit Nature and more time tasting her sweetness and respecting her seniority"---EB White

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