Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refuge

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

Owner

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

Links

Water Quality
Surfing Info & Web Cams
Water Temps
Tide Chart