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2025 Visitors Magazine Cover
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Visitor's Magazine

Plan Your Adventure Today

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2025 Visitors Magazine Cover
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Visitor's Magazine

Plan Your Adventure Today

Get My Guide
Close up map of the Oceano region in San Luis Obispo County, California

Oceano

Feel the sand shift beneath your feet in Oceano, where California's largest coastal dunes create an otherworldly landscape along SLO CAL's (San Luis Obispo County) southern edge. Here, find room to roam on vast sandy peaks—roaring ATVs blast across towering dunes by day, while evenings bring live family entertainment and crackling beach bonfires. Aviation murals and family-owned taquerias add bright splashes of color to this unique community where desert-like dunes meet surf.

Popular Things to Do 

Carve fresh tracks across legendary dunes on a rumbling ATV, then paddle calm waters beside herons along the Oceano Lagoon Boardwalk. Cheer old time villains at the century-old Great American Melodrama, explore exhibits on Pismo clams and local lore at the free Oceano Dunes Visitor Center or cruise tide-packed sand on fat-tire bikes. Join sunset sand-sculpture workshops to create your own masterpiece—just be sure to watch for nesting snowy plovers each spring.

Discover More SLO CAL Insider Tips

Relax, Indulge & Play

In Oceano the charm continues long after your toes leave the sand. You’ll find plenty of cozy spots to stay, from beachy inns to places for parking your RV, all just a short stroll from the waves. Craving something tasty? Local eateries serve up everything from fresh coastal bites to hearty comfort food, with plenty of flavor and that easygoing beach-town spirit. And throughout the year, on the South Coast, you'll find hosts of low-key events that bring the everyone together with music, laughter and a little local flair.

Oceano Up Close 

To truly experience the charm of Oceano, it helps to know a few local secrets. Whether you're looking to find hidden gems or get great views, these insider tips will ensure you make the most of your time in this stunning coastal area. From the perfect times to visit popular spots to local dining favorites, we've gathered a few expert suggestions to help you enjoy a more authentic and memorable getaway.

Seagulls flying over the Pacific Ocean at sunset in Grover Beach, San Luis Obispo County, California
Outdoor Adventure

24 Hours in Grover Beach and Oceano

Bring your appetite for these two free-wheeling, flavorful communities on the coast. Bigger is definitely better in SLO CAL’s Grover Beach and Oceano. Set against a backdrop of towering sand dunes and world-class…

All the things to do In Oceano

Explore Nearby Communities 

Once you’ve soaked up all the sun and sand in Oceano, the adventure doesn’t have to end—there’s a whole stretch of Central Coast charm just minutes away! Head south to Nipomo for scenic golf courses and peaceful hiking trails or swing by Grover Beach to catch even more coastal views. Just up the road, Pismo Beach & Shell Beach offer iconic piers, tide pools, and a classic surf-town vibe. And don’t miss Arroyo Grande, where you can stroll through a quaint village lined with antique shops, swinging bridges and roosters that roam freely (yes, really!). Each neighboring town brings its own flavor, making it easy to keep the good times rolling. And to discover more about Oceano visit highway1roadtrip.com. 

  

2025 Visitors Magazine Cover
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Visitors Magazine

2025 Official Visit SLO CAL Visitors Magazine

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