The California Beaches You Can Drive On

There are only a few areas along the California coast where you can legally drive right onto the beach. Southern California has no legal beach driving areas (unless you include Fiesta Island). Central California is lucky enough to have just one area at Pismo Beach, and Northern California has the rest. Outside of the locals who drive these northern beaches regularly, most people don’t know about them.

Sunset view from Oceano Dunes. Photo credit.

Driving on the beach anywhere in California is best with a true four-wheel-drive (4WD) vehicle. This doesn’t include the “all-wheel-drive” (AWD) SUV’s that dominate the roadways these days. They are still susceptible to getting stuck in the sand. Driving a regular 2WD passenger vehicle on the beach is even riskier and can lead to a very expensive towing bill, or worse yet getting stuck while the tide rises right into the car. Saltwater can do serious damage to any vehicle.

Always check tide tables before going and try to time your visit when the tide isn’t high. Most of these beaches require vehicles to stay in the wave slope (below the high tide line) and avoid entering any dunes where birds could be nesting and plants are doing their best to fight erosion.

All those warnings aside, driving on the beach is fun. It can take you to remote strands where beach walkers rarely roam. This is a way to get some serious solitude for a day at the beach. Pack food and drinks and you can stay all day. If you visit any of these beaches, look for signage and follow the rules. We all need to be good stewards of our public beaches. It is a privilege to be able to drive on beaches and we don’t want that right taken away!

Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Rec Area. Photo credit.

Below is our list of the beaches in California that you can drive on.

Fiesta Island (San Diego)

It is legal to drive portions of the perimeter of this man-made island in the middle of Mission Bay, but it’s not like the other beaches on this list. Visitors to Fiesta Island typically drive the loop road then are allowed to pull off and park next to their spot on the beach. Still, its this convenience that makes this urban spot fun.

Pismo State Beach (Central California)

Most beach driving enthusiasts know that Pismo State Beach is a place that welcomes vehicles onto its shore. 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.

Driving south takes you to Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA). This area is popular with families who camp on the beach and bring serious power-toys for playing in the sand dunes. Here you will see people throwing rooster tails of sand behind ATV’s, Razrs, dune buggies, and motorcycles with paddle tires.

Driving north from the Oceano Beach Access leads to Grover Beach where there is another Pismo State Beach vehicle entrance. From that entrance vehicles can drive south, but they are not allowed to drive north into the North Beach of Pismo State Beach.

Chadbourne Gulch Beach (Westport, Mendocino County)

The beach at Chadbourne, locally known as Blues Beach, is a hidden gem. Most of the cars that drive Highway 1 south of Westport just zoom right by this excellent spot. There are no signs discouraging beach driving and many locals steer their 4WD vehicles right onto the beach. At the north end of the beach there is a spectacular rock arch that should not be missed.

Shelter Cove Beach (Shelter Cove, Humboldt County)

At low tide it’s possible to drive a short segment of this beach. It’s mostly local fishermen driving away from the boat ramp for a place to cast. The town of Shelter Cove is a long drive from Highway 101 so it’s a big commitment to get there, but worth visiting if you haven’t been there before. Other nearby  beaches, such as Black Sands Beach, are excellent, but vehicles are not allowed.

Centerville Beach (Ferndale, Humboldt County)

This beach is a little off the beaten path, but worth seeking out. From the entrance at Centerville Beach County Park it is possible to drive north for about five miles to the mouth of the massive Eel River.

Table Bluff County Park (Loleta, Humboldt County)

Table Bluff Beach is another hub for driving on the beach. From there you can drive north right onto the South Spit of Humboldt Bay. A sandy road leads south from the parking lot into Eel River Wildlife Area too.

South Spit, Mike Thompson Wildlife Area (Humboldt Bay)

The South Spit of Humboldt Bay has three different vehicular beach accesses. Once on the beach, vehicles are only allowed on the wave slope. The exception is March 1st to September 15th when the wave slope is closed to vehicles to protect nesting birds. Camping is not allowed so note the gate closing time when you enter the wildlife area.

Eel River Wildlife Area (Loleta, Humboldt County)

A sandy 4WD road begins at Table Bluff Park and heads south into this wildlife area. It meanders behind the dunes to provide access for hunting, fishing, and birdwatching. The road continues south all the way to the mouth of Eel River. Along the way are several beach access points. Heed all rules for entering and beach driving if you visit Eel River Wildlife Area.

Samoa Dunes Recreation Area (Eureka)

This is a 300-acre park that is managed by the BLM. It is open to off-highway vehicle (OHV) use and has many meandering sandy roads, some of which climb up over the dunes and onto the beach. From the jetty at the entrance to Humboldt Bay it’s legal to drive north on the beach for about a mile.

Lake Earl Wildlife Area (Crescent City)

Access to the beach in front of Lake Earl Wildlife Area is hard to find. Because it’s remoteness you’ll probably be the only rig driving around on the beach out here. This is a unique setting near the outflow of a large lake and saltwater estuary. Some 4WD roads parallel the 2 mile long beach providing more off-road fun.

Kellogg Beach Access (Crescent City)

Kellogg Beach is a true hidden gem. It’s the gateway to the northern section of Tolowa Dunes State Park. From the beach access it is possible to drive on the wave slope north toward the mouth of Smith River which is five miles away. Lots of driftwood and agates can be found along this drive.

Tolowa Dunes State Park from Kellogg Beach Access

The complete list of beaches you can drive on is shown below in order from south to north.