Day trips to Pismo great for off-roading

ON THE BEACH-The Oceano Dunes south of Pismo Beach boasts the only coastal off-road area in California belonging to the state park system. Those who camp on the beach or visit for the day can also enjoy parasailing and fishing. Brandon Patterson of Agoura Hills goes to Pismo Beach at least twice a year so he can ride his offroad vehicles on the sand without restrictions. It takes about three hours to reach this destination in central California, but the experience is unlike any other.

"Pismo's motor beach is unique. It's the only place where cars, trucks and quads can ride on the beach," said the 16-year-old. "It's just a cool experience."

Besides riding by the shore and in the dunes, the beach is a good spot to hang out, Brandon said. People set up camp next to the surf and bring their motor homes. The nearby town of Pismo with its long pier and eclectic shops isn't far away, either.

While Brandon likes to ride, his mother, Diana Marcello, enjoys the camping atmosphere on the beach because it draws the family together.

"Sometimes when you're camping, issues can come up and you can bond and work through stuff without the interruption of television," said the mother of two.

"We all get so busy in our lifestyles, so the time spent roasting marshmallows and playing card games by the fire means a lot to the kids," Marcello said. "It's so basic and simple."

On a recent trip to Pismo, the family brought along some friends who were first-time visitors. "They were wowed," said Marcello, referring to the incessant off-road activities that take place on the sand.

The scene could be evocative of a "Mad Max" movie set but unlike the shady characters in that movie, the people who come to this Central Coast town are friendly.

"There is a lot of camaraderie. People are helpful and they won't hesitate to tow you out if you get stuck in the sand, which happens often," Marcello said.

She said she doesn't recommend a crowded holiday weekend for a getaway to the unusual beach. In the fall, fewer people come though the weather is clear and a bit warmer, she said.

"This 3,600-acre off-road area is among the most popular and unique of California state parks," according to the state Department of Parks and Recreation. The 5and-a-half miles of San Luis Obispo coastline is open for vehicle use and 1,500 acres of sand dunes are available for off-road motor vehicle recreation, attracting visitors from throughout the United States.

Oceano Dunes is the only California state park where vehicles may legally be driven on the beach.

Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area (formerly known as Pismo Dunes) provides an impressive playground for off-highway enthusiasts, but the area offers other recreational activities such as swimming, surfing, surf fishing and hiking.

Those who take the time to explore the dunes beyond the offroading zones will see wildflowers, the tracks of countless small mammals and insects, and a variety of small birds at the water's edge.

Pismo Beach has more than 30 restaurants and 50-plus hotels, motels, inns and RV parks.

Visitors can enjoy myriad activities including golfing, bicycling, exploring the Monarch Butterfly Grove, tennis, horseback riding, scuba diving, bowling, hiking, walking along miles of beaches and exploring tide pools, coves and caves.

The 1,200-foot-long Pismo Pier is an ideal site for walking, fishing and seeing the sun set.

The community of Pismo Beach holds a variety of special events including a Clam Festival, Band Review, Car Show, Mardi Gras, the Jubilee-by-the-Sea Dixieland Jazz Festival and Western Days.

Visit www.pismobeach.org for more information.

The entrance to Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area is just off Highway 1, three miles south of Pismo at Grover Beach.

The little town features activities and festivals geared toward families, including the annual Stone Soup Ethnic Music Faire scheduled at Ramona Garden Park on Aug. 26 and 27. The event features a Dune Run, food and craft booths and ethnic cuisine. People can dance in the street to the sounds of Latin, African, Australian, Scottish, jazz and countrywestern music, according to a San Luis Obispo County website.

The city also co-sponsors free concerts at Ramona Garden Park on Sundays from June through September. Check the city's website, www.grover.org, for more information on the events.

Conditions such as high tides, heavy rains and blowing sand determine whether visitors can drive down the beach without getting stuck in the sand. Beach camping is recommended for four-wheel drive vehicles only.

For campsite reservation and information, call (800) 444-7275. Reservations are highly recommended, especially for holiday periods. All-terrain off-road vehicles may be rented on-site.