Pismo Dunes & Central Coast Area Information

Oceano Dunes / Coastal Dunes

Oceano Dunes is recognized by scientists, conservationists, government agencies, and the public as the finest, most extensive coastal dunes remaining in California. Most of the materials which form the dunes has been carried down to the ocean by various rivers and creeks, or deposited by ocean currents and then shaped by the wind into the dunes that we see today.

The prevailing winds that blow in from the ocean push sand particles up into wave-like crests that run north and south. On the west, or the "windward" side, the slope is gentle. On the east, or the "leeward" side, the slope is quite steep. Sand grains, as they are blown over the dune crest, tend to accumulate high on the leeward slope, slip down the slope as thin tongues of sand. For this reason the leeward slope is called a "slipface.

Clamming

The area is known as the “Clam Capital of the World.” The Pismo Clam is one of the largest types of clams found along the California Coast. The clams can grow up to seven inches, if not interfered with by hungry “clammers” and sea otters. Legal size is 4 1/2 inches in diameter; and the proper place to clam is south of Grand Avenue (south of Pismo Beach). A license is required. (http://www.classiccalifornia.com/clamming.htm)