Can you camp overnight at the Oceano Dunes State Vheicular Recreation Area?
Question by Duco: Can you camp overnight at the Oceano Dunes State Vheicular Recreation Area?
I’m sure you can. But what I really want to know is do I have to take my car on the dunes or can I leave it parked somewhere and just walk to the Recreation Area to camp?
Best answer:
Answer by SLORider
Day use is $ 5 and you can stay until 11 p.m. A camping pass costs $ 10. Summer is busy and you should make reservations early. Book online at:
http://www.reserveamerica.com/camping/Oceano_Dunes_Svra/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=CA&parkId=120065&topTabIndex=CampingSpot
Or, call 800-444-PARK.
YES, you can take your car on the beach. In fact, if you don’t you will have trouble finding a street parking space where you won’t be towed and you will have to walk one mile or more to the overnight camping area to the south. Your car should be suited for driving in deep sand (4×4, or at least high clearance and fat tires recommended). Make sure to park well off the tide–it comes up surprisingly far at high tide and your camp can be inundated! Air down your tires until they bulge out for better sand driving. Bring a tow strap, just in case. Someone will almost always help if you get stuck–it’s part of the fun if it happens! I got stuck just last week in my Saturn! No biggie.
If your car is marginal (like my Saturn), keep on the packed sand near the water on your drive in. You’ll still have to park in deep sand to be above high tide to camp. Try not to turn in deep sand–always go straight. When you find a spot to park, turn your car and back into it like a parking space, driving straight. Thus, you can drive straight out or be pulled straight out.
If you get stuck, don’t despair. Usually you can dig out with your hands–push sand away from the front of your tires and sides so they have a nice flat area. Push sand away from any frame members or other parts underneath so nothing is dragging. Have someone push, GO STRAIGHT, and slowly add throttle. If your tires spin–STOP! You’ll just sink deeper. Dig some more or find some help.
This park is an off-road vehicle recreation area. Vehicles go everywhere in the dunes. You will encounter dune buggies, ATVs, jeeps, and bikes. You can rent an ATV by the hour and go for a tour yourself!! There is also a Hummer tour and mini-dune buggies for rent!
Campfires must use raw split wood–no processed lumber as they figure there might be nails. No glass bottles allowed. No dogs off-leash. No kites (really–it scares seabirds). CLEAN UP your trash. Enjoy!
It’s an active dune area which means wind, sometimes cold. Bring a windbreaker, cap, and glasses to keep sand out of your eyes. A folding chair is nice to sit in around the fire.
I’m organizing people to clean the beach in September for Coastal Cleanup Day. See http://yourdunes.org/ for more info.
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