HOLLYWOOD’S “LOST CITY”
Showcased at Guadalupe Dunes 2010
Santa Maria, CA—Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes
Complex, an 18-mile stretch of Santa Barbara
County and San Luis Obispo County coastline
studded with towering mountains of sand is
one of California’s natural treasures, yet
many people are still unaware of them,
because they are off the beaten path. The
dunes are where director Cecil B. DeMille
filmed his 1923 silent epic The Ten
Commandments. Other films, including The
Pirates of the Caribbean starring Johnny
Depp, have also featured the dunes.
In the summer of 2010, filmmaker Peter
Brosnan plans to premiere his own movie
documenting his 20-year quest to unearth
artifacts from DeMille’s Egyptian-themed set
from beneath the sands. An official date for
the release of Brosnan’s film has not been
set.
DeMille’s massive “City of The Pharaoh ”
became a lost city after it was torn down,
abandoned and ultimately buried by the crew
and, later, by the shifting sands. Building
the city required 1,600 laborers, 500 tons
of statuary, a half million feet of lumber
and 75 miles of reinforcing cable. The set
featured 21 five-ton sphinxes and 110-foot
walls flanked by statues of Ramses. Some of
the smaller items have been recovered, but
the larger set pieces have yet to be
unearthed.
Visitors to the nonprofit Dunes Center
don't have to wait for the release of
Brosnan’s film to see some of the movie’s
recovered artifacts, as several are
currently on display at the center. The
Dunes Center also features several
family-friendly exhibits that showcase the
remarkable biodiversity, geology and history
of the dunes.
The Dunes Center also offers ongoing guided
walks and hikes, as well as children’s
activities. A $2 charitable donation is
requested when visiting. The three
most popular dunes destinations are all
easily accessible from the Dunes Center.
Visitors wishing to drive straight to the
oceanfront can take Main Street west into
the heart of the Rancho Guadalupe Dunes
Preserve. Nearby Oso Flaco Lake Road leads
to a convenient parking area, from where
visitors can take a 30-minute stroll along a
boardwalk through the dunes and to the
beach. And those feeling even more
adventurous can hike across the dunes into
the heart of the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes
National Wildlife Refuge.
Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Complex and the Dunes
Center, 1055 Guadalupe Street (Highway 1) in
Guadalupe, California. Hours are 10 a.m. to
4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Call (805)
343-2455. dunescenter.org
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