Where Can You Drive On The Beach In California?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,
  • Fiesta Island (San Diego)
  • Pismo State (Central California)
  • Chadbourne Gulch Beach (Westport, Mendocino County)
  • Shelter Cove Beach (Shelter Cove, Humboldt County)
  • Centerville Beach (Ferndale, Humboldt County)

Is there a beach you can drive on?

A few miles south of San Luis Obispo on California's Central Coast lies

Oceano Dunes

, the only park in the region that allows vehicles on the beach. With nearly six miles of open beach to explore, there's no shortage of terrain here to enjoy.

Can you drive on the beach in Los Angeles?


The Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area, halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, is the only beach in California that allows driving

. BYO motorcycle, dune buggy or ATV; or rent a four-wheel drive vehicle from one of the shops on Pier Avenue.

Can you drive on the beach in Santa Barbara?

Sounds delightful, not. Ventura & Santa Barbara Coastal Regions have many awesome State , but

none allow vehicles on the sand

.

Can you drive on the beach in Oceano?


Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area is the only California State Park that allows non-street-legal vehicles to drive on the beach

(see all the beaches that can you can drive on). To enter this five mile long wide sandy beach, just drive west on Pier Avenue in Oceano to an entrance station and parking lot.

Can you still drive on Oceano Beach?


It is the only stretch of coastline in Central California where cars are allowed

. The main entrance is at the Oceano Beach Access on Pier Avenue in the town of Oceano. From there you can drive on the beach in both directions.

Can you drive on the beach in Clearwater?

There is two-way traffic:

You can drive in either direction

. Park perpendicular to the beach, but don't go beyond the posts into soft sand.

Can you drive a Jeep on the beach?


Jeeps are capable of driving in a variety of off-road conditions and have the ability to pretty much go anywhere

. If you would like to know how the Jeep Wrangler performs on beach sand and soft dunes, continue reading… Check your Jeep model specifications first.

Is driving on the beach bad for your car?

Your car's interior may also suffer from people bringing sand in. More than just an annoyance, sand can scrape and destroy fabric and leather seats, seriously diminishing the resale value of your car.

Avoid driving on the beach when possible

.

Is Grover Beach open to drive on?

OCEANO, Calif. (FOX26) —

California State Parks has announced its plans to open the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA) and Pismo State Beach back up to vehicle use

. Both areas have been off-limits for vehicular use since March of 2020, when all State Parks were closed due to COVID-19.

Does Grover Beach have a beach?


Grover Beach is a sandy, seaside playground

filled with family-friendly activities. Climb mountains of golden sand and soak in the breathtaking ocean views. Go ahead and get your motor revving with some 4-wheel fun on the only remaining state beach that you can drive on.

Can you drive on Georgia beaches?


Beach driving is allowed along the entire 17-mile beach of Cumberland Island

. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources has issued over 250 beach driving permits (more than any other beach in the state of Georgia) to island residents and family members.

Can you drive on the beaches in San Diego?


No you can't drive on the beaches in SD

.

Can you take PCH from LA to Santa Barbara?


You can take the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) from Santa Monica

. You will mostly be on the coast most of the way to Santa Barbara, the PCH will turn into the 101 fwy and will veer more inland so you won't always get a view of the ocean, its a lovely drive and you will definetely enjoy it.

Can you take PCH to Solvang?

Can I drive from Malibu Canyon / Pacific Coast Highway to Solvang?

Yes, the driving distance between Malibu Canyon / Pacific Coast Highway to Solvang is 120 miles

.

Can you still drive on Oceano Dunes?


Pismo State Beach and the adjacent Oceano Dunes State Recreational Vehicle Area both allow vehicles on our 8 miles of drivable beach and dune areas

. Best conditions are at low tide, the speed limit is 15 mph and staying on the hard packed sand will keep you out of trouble.

Is Oceano Dunes Open?

The Oceano Dunes SVRA is

open daily from 7 a.m. to one hour past sunset

for vehicle day use.

Is Oceano Dunes closing?

On March 18, 2021, the Coastal Commission ordered the following;

to change the permit for Oceano Dunes SVRA to require a closure of the SVRA by 2024, the closure of the Pier Avenue entrance by July 2022

, and a closure of the Arroyo Grande Creek when it rains.

Is Oceano Dunes the same as Pismo Beach?


The Oceano Dunes (also called the Pismo Beach Sand Dunes

) are located along California's central coast, a few minutes south of Pismo Beach.

How do you drive on the beach without getting stuck?

Can you drive on the beach in Ormond beach?

The beach is open to vehicles from 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. or sundown whichever is earlier from May 1 through October 31, and between sunrise to sunset from November 1 to April 30, tides permitting. There is a year-round $20 per day per vehicle access fee to drive on the beach; this includes one same-day re-entry.

What part of Daytona Beach can you drive on?

Yes, you can drive on Daytona Beach with

access points along Florida's Atlantic Highway (A1A)

. You can drive from sunrise to sunset as long as the weather permits it. There is a $20 car fee for driving on the beach and parking.

Can you drive on Miami Beach?


Ocean Drive in Miami Beach is closed to traffic for the foreseeable future

. South Beach's Ocean Drive will reopen to cars in late January, nearly two years after the city closed the street to traffic in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic to expand outdoor dining and public recreation space.

What car can drive on sand?

The

Jeep Wrangler Unlimited

is another all-terrain vehicle that can tackle the shifting sand on the beach. Off-road capability aside, the Jeep is still one of the best beach-friendly vehicles out there. Its removable doors and roof allow you to soak up every ounce of sunshine you could possibly want.

Can you drive on the beach in the Outer Banks?


Beach driving is allowed year round on Hatteras Island and October 1-April 30 in Nags Head and Kill Devil Hills

. For current Cape Hatteras National Seashore Off Road Vehicle (ORV) use, please click here. For current Nags Head Off Road Vehicle (ORV) use, please click here.

Can Jeep Cherokees drive on the beach?

It fully locks the 4WD so the system is less likely to overheat, and the jeep is less likely to hunt for gears and you'll use a ton less fuel.

It is a very capable vehicle on the sand.

Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.