Pismo State Beach & Oceano Dunes
Pismo Beach · near Pismo Beach · Central Coast
Camping
At a glance
- Difficulty
- beginner
- Elevation
- 20
- Campsites
- Many (state beach + dune camping)
- Season
- Year-round
- Fee
- ~$35/night (developed)
Permits and booking
- Reservation required
- Yes
- How to reserve
- Reserve state-beach sites on ReserveCalifornia. Oceano Dunes uniquely allows DRIVE-ON beach camping (permit/fee; the OHV-vehicle areas are being phased down — check current rules, which are changing). Showers at the developed campgrounds; monarch butterfly grove nearby.
What is here
- Setting
- beach
- Amenities
- Developed & drive-on beach camping · Showers (developed sites) · Monarch Butterfly Grove · Dune recreation
- Best for
- Beach camping + the novelty of driving on the sand
- Features
- Drive-on-the-sand beach camping · Famous Monarch Butterfly Grove (winter) · Dunes & wide flat beach · Classic Central Coast beach town
Worth knowing
- Dogs
- Allowed
- Good for a first timer
- Yes
Camping detail
- Camp type
- developed · rv · dispersed
- Intl tip
- Reserve developed sites (North Beach/Oceano) on ReserveCalifornia. The drive-on beach/dune camping is unique but the OHV areas are being phased down — CHECK current rules before planning it. The Monarch Butterfly Grove (Nov–Feb) is spectacular. Combine with Pismo's pier (fishing guide) and clam beaches. Showers at developed sites.
The guide
Pismo State Beach and the Oceano Dunes offer a camping novelty found almost nowhere else in California: the chance to drive rig…
In the Guidebook
Everything above is yours for free. The written guide to Pismo State Beach & Oceano Dunes — what it is actually like, and what we would tell a friend before they went — comes with the Guidebook.
Getting there
- Coordinates
- 35.098, -120.628