Skip to content

About Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refuge in Guadalupe, California

Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refuge contains a remote dunes complex and a seldom visited beach near Guadalupe, CA. Access to this 1.8 mile long stretch of coastline is via a long beach walk from either Oso Flaco Lake Natural Area in the north or from Rancho Guadalupe Dunes County Park in the south. The refuge was created in 2000 to protect the dunes habitats of many animals including brown pelicans, least terns, snowy plovers, peregrine falcons, and rare breeds of frogs and salamanders. Eighteen different species of rare plants are protected in the refuge as well. The Dunes Center, an informative non-profit center for the three dunes areas, is located in a house at 1065 Guadauple St. in Guadalupe. They have maps, exhibits, and more information about access to the refuge.

An interesting fact about these dunes is that the 1923 film by Cecil B. DeMille entitled The Ten Commandments was filmed here. The set at the time was the largest ever built and when the movie was completed the set, including large Egyptian sphinxes, was buried in the sand. In recent years archaeologists have been visiting the secret site to excavate and preserve the delicate items. This “Lost City of Cecil B DeMille” is a protected site and its location is not public knowledge. The Dunes Center has exhibits and artifacts from the set.

Address
Hwy 1 and Oso Flaco Lake Rd
Guadalupe, CA 93434
Phone
805.343.2455
Park Name
Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refuge
Pet Details
No dogs allowed
Fees
Free parking at Guadalupe Dunes Preserve, fee to park at Oso Lake
Activities
Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching, Beach Walking, Beachcombing
Amenities
Dunes, No Facilities
Map of Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refuge
Guadalupe, US
7:58 am, March 28, 2024
temperature icon 53°F
L: 51° H: 58°
Feels like 52.23 °F overcast clouds
Wind gusts: 1 m/s
UV Index: 0.05
Precipitation: 0.02 inch
Visibility: 10 km
Sunrise: 6:54 am
Sunset: 7:20 pm
Humidity 92 %
Pressure1019 mb
Wind 1 m/s

Nearby Beaches

Paradise Beach

4.7 miles away

Paradise Beach is situated along a remote section of the northern Santa Barbara County coastline between Point Sal and Mussel...

View beach

Nearby Attractions

Nearby Lodging

Reviews

There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one.