Beach sand dunes on the Central California coastline, located in between Point Sal and Pismo Beach. Three different wildlife preserves (and one oil refinery) make up this sandy beach strand W of Guadalupe, CA

From the north

• Oceano Dunes SVRA - also known as Pismo Dunes this is where all the yahoos can get their thrills riding quads and driving on the beach dunes. One of the few spots in ca, where you can drive your vehicle on the beach, right at the tideline.
• OSO FLACO LAKE – estuary with boardwalk on the California Central Coast, surrounded by sand dunes and farm lands. Birdwatch right from the middle of the lagoon. Bring a picnic too!
• Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refuge – the refuge is situated between Oso Flaco Lake & Ranch Guadalupe Dunes. The main office is located along Highway 1, at 1045 Guadalupe Street, Guadalupe, CA
• Rancho Guadalupe Dunes County Park – just north of Point Sal is this public access beach. Well known for miles of pristine sand dunes. This is a place to truly enjoy nature and solitude. Near to Pismo Dunes, Rancho Guadalupe is a county park in the Santa Barbara County Parks system. This protected wildlife area is north of Lompoc & south of Pismo Beach CA.  The refuge was established to protect breeding habitat for the endangered species.

All this located west of Santa Maria & Nipomo CA. The Santa Maria River meet the Pacific ocean here at this estuary and sand dune area. From Coast Hwy 101, exit Main Street in Santa Maria; follow Hwy 166 west, past the small town of Guadalupe, CA & past the farmlands – straight to the coast.

6999 W Main St
Guadalupe, CA 93434
805-343-2354

View Larger Map

Horses & dogs are not allowed in the preserve. Off-road vehicle play area is to the north of Oso Flaco Lake. The fence line is visible from the beach hike and engine noises can be heard from Oso Flaco. Enter the Ocean Dunes SVRA (State Vehicular Recreation Area), further up Hwy 1 at Oceano CA

more info
dunescenter.org
Some photos

You relocated to California for your career and to enjoy the outdoors more, but you ended up in the Los Angeles Basin instead, breathing smog daily. You will need to escape – soon, for sanity sake. This is your new favorite web site on California outdoors. Bookmark it dude. And be proud to love nature!

• Cucamonga Wilderness
• Dick Smith Wilderness
• Hikes in the Angeles National Forest
• LA’s Best Trails by LA Inc
• Los Angeles Hikes
• Los Padres Sierra Club
• Mount Baldy Hikes
• Mount Pinos Recreation Area
• Naturalist for You
• Ojai Hikes
• Ojai Valley Land Conservancy
• Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy
• Quatal Canyon
• Hike San Jacinto Page
• Sespe Wilderness

PCT hikes – Pacific Crest Trail
the infamous hiking trail that runs the length of the entire West Coast
EASY MAPS: Pacific Crest Trail Map #2 (Traverse Ranges)

Los Angeles Hiking Maps

Angeles Front Country Map
Angeles High Country Map
Angeles National Forest Map
Channel Islands Map
Cucamonga Wilderness Map
Dick Smith Wilderness Map
Joshua Tree Park Map
Los Padres National Forest Map
Los Padres Forest Topo Atlas
Malibu Creek Map
Mojave Preserve Map
Mount Baldy Map
Mount Wilson Trail Map
Pacific Crest Trail Map
Point Mugu Map
San Bernardino National Forest Map
San Bernardino Forest Atlas
San Diego Backcountry Map
San Gorgonio Wilderness Map
San Jacinto Wilderness Map
Sespe Wilderness Map
Topanga Trail Map
Verdugo Mountains Trail Map
Zuma / Trancas Canyons Map

Coastal hikes are the mildest trails California has to offer, ranging from scenic strolls along the base of beach cliffs to steep redwood forested canyons. From Torrey Pines in San Diego to the multiple redwood parks along the North Coast, there is no shortage of hiking near the coastline. Southern California has more beaches than parks, with tide pool areas being a favorite destination for many. Central Coast has lush, fern canyons with year-round flowing creeks and numerous bluffs and rugged beaches. Bay Area has hiking trails nearly everywhere – along the bay, in the woods or on the coast. NorCal has all the wilderness, parks and remote beaches one could ever hope for. What are you waiting for? Get out there.

San Francisco Bay Area Hiking

hiking trail maps

Baja California Maps
Channel Island National Park Map
Santa Monica Mountains Map
Los Angeles Hiking Maps
Los Padres NF South (Ojai, Santa Barbara, Frazier)
Los Padres NF North (San Luis Obispo, Big Sur)
San Francisco Bay Area Hiking Maps
Mendocino National Forest Map
Six Rivers National Forest Map
Redwoods Map
Ventana Wilderness Map w/ Silver Peak
California Coast Map Set

The north coast of California is the Redwood Empire, or so they say. With over 150 mile stretch between the wine country Ukiah & Crescent City, on the Oregon border, coastal redwoods thrive in this wet climate. All along Highway 101 you can find every assortment of lodging, from standard hotels walking distance to village shops, to small secluded cottages tucked behind a winery. Yes, Sonoma & Mendocino wineries blend, on the edge of countryside, with these redwood forests & recreational rivers.

Towns w/ Redwood Lodging in NorCal –

• Albion CA
• Arcata CA
• Boonville CA
• Crescent City CA
• Garberville CA
• Gasquet CA
• Guerneville CA
• Klamath CA
• Laytonville CA
• Leggett CA
• Orick CA
• Philo CA
• Scotia CA
• Shelter Cove CA
• Willits CA

Redwood Parks in NorCal -

(from south to north, with closest town)

• Hendy Woods State Park, Philo CA
• Navarro River Redwoods State Park, Albion CA
• Mendocino Woodlands State Park, Mendocino CA
• Admiral William Standley SRA, Laytonville CA
• Standish Hickey SRA, Leggett CA
• Smithe Redwoods State Park, Leggett CA
• Sinkyone Wilderness State Park, Shelter Cove CA
• Richardson Grove State Park, Garberville CA
• Kings Range National Conservation Area, Shelter Cove CA
• Humboldt Redwoods State Park, Scotia, CA
• Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park, Scotia, CA
• Redwood National Park, Orick CA
• Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, Orick CA
• Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, Klamath CA
• Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park, Crescent City CA
• Six Rivers National Forest, Crescent City CA
• Smith River NRA, Crescent City CA

REDWOOD MAP

maps of region -

• Redwood National Park Map
• Six Rivers National Forest Map
• Smith River NRA Map
• Six Rivers National Forest Atlas

The redwood north coast of California is very forested region with many rivers & streams running throughout. Fishing, kayaking, rafting, camping & backpacking are all superb here. The wilderness rules, as the majority of the landscape is wild & untouched by development. Mountain ranges near the north California coast span in elevation from 1000′ to 8000′. The Klamath River, Eel River & Trinity River are the predominate waterways in this region, with designated National Forest lining their canyons. There are over 10 parks along the coast that feature the redwood trees as the main attraction. The ones listed below are the inland, mountainous areas of Northern California.

Mendocino National Forest

• Mendocino National Forest Map
• Snow Mountain Wilderness Map
• Yolla Bolly Wilderness Map

Clear Lake, Kelseyville, Ukiah

Redwood National Park

• Redwood Map by National Geographic
• Redwood National Park Online Map

Klamath, Orick

Six Rivers National Forests

• 6 Rivers National Forest Map
• Red Buttes Wilderness Map
• Siskiyou Map (Oregon)
  
• Trinity Alps Map – outta print

Smith River Recreation Area

• Smith River Map

Crescent City, Orleans