Pismo Beach - Driving on sand, need advice.
I'm looking at going to Pismo Beach for the first time with some guys from my local church. Nothing big, just a weekend trip to camp and ride some ATVs. Looking at some YouTube videos it looks like it...
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I am lucky that the dunes are in my backyard, with that said I do not drive my truck on the beach. I enjoy the beach by foot or in the passenger seat of a friend's rusted truck.
I see truck campers out there, and only a couple have been stuck. Like others have said, bring a strap, lots of locals that like to help. Do not blaze your own trail. Once on the beach, watch where heavier rigs are driving and follow their tracks. Stay on the hardpack. The creek is very passable this time of year. I would still air down a dually.
The Pismo/Oceano dunes have 2 entrances, if you are camping I would suggest entering the dunes at the southern entrance at Pier st. in Oceano, this will reduce the sand driving by about 3/4 of a mile. Camping begins past mile marker 2 which is past the creek. Until the end of September your camping spot will be between mile 2 and 6. Oceano dunes map
There are no quiet hours on the dunes. Expect to hear OHV's all night in addition to loud music. If that would bother you, North Beach state campground in Pismo Beach is a very nice campground near the dune entrance. You still need to trailer OHVs to the beach.
Hope you have a good trip.
Vids:
Good Drone footage of camping area on dunes from November 2017
Creek when it's high in winter. The best show all winter is to park next to the creek and watch people cross.
Be sure to park above the high tide line. Also, check how high the tides will be when you are there.
I see truck campers out there, and only a couple have been stuck. Like others have said, bring a strap, lots of locals that like to help. Do not blaze your own trail. Once on the beach, watch where heavier rigs are driving and follow their tracks. Stay on the hardpack. The creek is very passable this time of year. I would still air down a dually.
The Pismo/Oceano dunes have 2 entrances, if you are camping I would suggest entering the dunes at the southern entrance at Pier st. in Oceano, this will reduce the sand driving by about 3/4 of a mile. Camping begins past mile marker 2 which is past the creek. Until the end of September your camping spot will be between mile 2 and 6. Oceano dunes map
There are no quiet hours on the dunes. Expect to hear OHV's all night in addition to loud music. If that would bother you, North Beach state campground in Pismo Beach is a very nice campground near the dune entrance. You still need to trailer OHVs to the beach.
Hope you have a good trip.
Vids:
Good Drone footage of camping area on dunes from November 2017
Creek when it's high in winter. The best show all winter is to park next to the creek and watch people cross.
Be sure to park above the high tide line. Also, check how high the tides will be when you are there.
