Pismo Dunes Natural Preserve
About
Pismo Dunes Natural Preserve is a public beach on the California coast, about a mile from the town of Oceano. It sits within the San Luis Obispo Unit, and there is no fee to visit. The weather is mild all year. Typical averages from the nearby Pismo Beach weather station show highs around 70 to 73°F from May through October, with only one or two wet days a month in summer. Winter is cooler and wetter, with January highs near 65°F and lows in the mid-40s. Nearby trails make it easy to add a walk. The Lagoon Trail is about 1.2 miles away, and the James Way Trail is about 3 miles off. Paddlers can reach the Santa Maria River about 9 miles away, and climbers can find Grime Dog Wall a little over 5 miles from the preserve.
Beach Details
Lifeguards
None
Parking
None at the access
Fee
Free
Restrooms
None
As published by the managing agency. Lifeguards, fees and dog rules are often seasonal, so check posted signs before you swim.
Location
Pismo Dunes Natural Preserve
California
Data: California Coastal Commission, YourCoast public access data. Source metadata
Facts about this place
When to go
Best time to go: Year-round. The mildest months here, with typical highs of 65–73°F and lows of 44–55°F.
Typical monthly averages (not a forecast) from the Pismo Beach, CA weather station, 5.9 mi away. High / low in °F, and days with snow.
- Jan65° high44° low
- Feb65° high44° low
- Mar68° high46° low
- Apr70° high48° low
- May72° high49° low
- Jun70° high51° low
- Jul70° high54° low
- Aug71° high55° low
- Sep72° high54° low
- Oct73° high53° low
- Nov69° high46° low
- Dec65° high44° low
Where it is
- San Luis Obispo Unit · Public land
- Nearest town
- Oceano, California · 1.1 mi
Source: NIFC Jurisdictional Units; USGS GNIS populated places
Nearby
- Lagoon TrailHiking1.2 mi
- James Way TrailHiking3 mi
- Upper James Way TrailHiking3.4 mi
- Vamonos CanyonHiking4.5 mi
- Lone Oak LoopHiking4.6 mi
- Discovery & Spring to Spring TrailsHiking4.7 mi
- Grime Dog WallRock climbing5.3 mi
- Santa Maria RiverCanoeing9.4 mi
Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)
