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Natural park · Santa Maria, California
Rancho Guadalupe Dunes Preserve
A county park at the end of West Main Street, west of Guadalupe, with high dunes, the mouth of the Santa Maria River and a beach open to the Pacific. It is one of the access points to the Guadalupe-Nipomo dunes.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Rancho Guadalupe Dunes Preserve
Rancho Guadalupe Dunes Preserve is a Santa Barbara County park at the southern end of the Guadalupe-Nipomo dunes, a roughly 29 km stretch of coastline between San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties, designated a national natural landmark in 1974. The road west from Guadalupe crosses fields and dunes and ends at a parking lot by the beach.
The area includes Mussel Rock dune, about 150 meters high, considered the tallest on the U.S. West Coast. North of the parking lot, the Santa Maria River forms an estuary where gulls, terns, sandpipers and ducks are frequently seen, especially during migration seasons.
In 1923, filmmaker Cecil B. DeMille built the Egyptian set for The Ten Commandments on the dunes; it was buried in the sand after filming. Some recovered pieces are displayed at the dunes’ visitor center in Guadalupe.
From March to October, during nesting season for the snowy plover, a small threatened shorebird, parts of the beach have restricted access. The park is used for hiking, fishing, picnics and birdwatching.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
From 1 to 3 hours.
Best time
Late morning or afternoon, when the fog often clears. Check gate opening days and restricted areas during nesting season, from March to October.
How to get there
From Santa Maria, follow Main Street (Highway 166) west to Guadalupe and continue to the end of the road, about 25 km total. There is no public transport to the park.
Tip
Bring a jacket: the Pacific wind is cold even in summer. Barbecues are not allowed in the picnic areas.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Rancho Guadalupe Dunes Preserve
How do you get to the Guadalupe dunes from Santa Maria?
Take Main Street (Highway 166) west, passing through Guadalupe, to the end of the road where the Rancho Guadalupe Dunes Preserve parking lot is located.
What is the buried set in the Guadalupe dunes?
The Egyptian set from the 1923 film "The Ten Commandments," buried in the sand after filming. Some pieces are displayed at the dunes’ visitor center in Guadalupe.
Are there access restrictions at Guadalupe Beach?
Yes. From March to October, part of the beach is restricted because of nesting coastal birds. Respect fences and signs.