Guadalupe Beach & Dunes
Guadalupe Beach is tucked away about a
mile from a parking lot where you leave your car and walk to the beach. Children
often complain that it's too far. And it's not a place to trek if you have
ambulatory difficulties. But improvements were made several years ago that
included an incredible walk bridge and panels laid on the sand to provide an
easier trip through sand dunes to the ocean. For those who love nature, the walk
is a unique experience and well worth an hour of your time.
One the clearest, warm days, the beach is
a pleasant temperature and never seems too hot. It's location north of Point
Conception marks it as the southernmost region to receive the cold Alaskan water
current. While the cold water temperatures make swimming and surfing a bit
chilly without body suits, the air temperature combined with the Santa Maria
Valley location in which Guadalupe sits, makes for fantastic harvests of wine
grapes, vegetables and fruits.
At the beach there's usually someone
enjoying the sand and having a picnic. Sometimes the wind can blow the sand
against your face and the air can be quite chilling, requiring a coat and
glasses to protect your eyes. Most times the breeze that hits Guadalupe Beach is
pleasant. It's not often that the air is still in this location, however.
As you enter the parking lot to walk along
the beach trail, several posted signs offer information and warnings. One shown
in the photo above is printed in both English and Spanish (Guadalupe's
population is mostly Hispanic).
The sign states that construction
activities involving remediation and decommissioning of the neighboring Unocal
Oil Field will not affect access or activities at the beach. A decade ago when
we visited this beach it was most common to get huge globs of tar on our shoes
and feet. There seems to be great improvement of this situation.
Another sign further down the tree-shaded
path to the walk bridge warns that mountain lions may frequent the area. Hikers
are advised to never walk alone and to make noise when walking. The photo below
shows the location where we spotted a small bobcat on one journey. It walked
quickly across this path near the entrance to the trail and it disappeared into
the thicket. We've seen and heard coyotes in the area numerous times, as
well. We have not heard reports of any confrontations of humans and wild
animals, however. Either they are not reported or it's not usually a problem
here. The fact that the entry to the parking lot and trail is surrounded by
farms may provide one answer. There's lots of food for the food chain to enjoy
near Guadalupe Beach.
Things to see include:
Dunes Discovery Center, 951 Guadalupe Street, (Hwy 1),
(805) 343-2455, Open Fri. 2 pm - 4 pm., Sat. and Sun. Noon to 4 pm. Information
and displays about the history of the dunes and plant and animal life which
thrive in the protected region.
Guadalupe Beach offers fishing and a nearly deserted
beach with expansive views of the Pacific Ocean. Also enjoy the Guadalupe
Sand Dunes, part of the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Region which runs
from Guadalupe and Oso Flaco Lake north to
Pismo
Beach.
Where to Stay: When visiting Guadalupe Beach & Dunes, there are several nice
beach hotels to choose for a Central Coast vacation. Several of our
favorites are in Pismo Beach and include
The Cliffs which offers ocean views and beach strolls via a set
of steps down to the beach. For a hotel on the beach and close to
Pismo Beach Pier, you may want to check another popular choice in
the heart of the action,
Sandcastle Inn. While these hotels are not cheap, you have to
remember that Central Coast is the number one getaway for Southern
California (or we should say a close second to San Diego), and
likewise a top getaway for Bay Area residents who frequent Napa wine
country, and Central Coast.
Don't be deterred by hotel
prices, however. There are some budget options I've found. A decent
Holiday Inn in Arroyo Grande is not on the beach but just a
short drive away. And the closest,
most affordable city for hotel stays near the Guadalupe beach
and dunes is Santa Maria, of course. Located approx. 8 miles from
the beach, this city offers more hotels in the affordable range than
any city surrounding it or nearby. Santa Maria is known for
its Saturday and Sunday street corner oak pit barbequed tri-tip and
chicken sold by civic groups. When you wander out on a weekend, the
smell of that delicious cooking wafts through the air. And sometimes
you just have to stop and sample the wares with a sandwich and some
Santa Maria style beans.
Santa Maria Hotels
Best Western Big America
1725 North Broadway
Santa Maria, CA 93454
Comfort Inn
Santa Maria
210 South Nicholson
Santa Maria, CA 93454
Historic Santa Maria Inn
801 S. Broadway
Santa Maria, CA 93454-6699
Holiday Inn
Hotel & Suites Santa Maria, Ca
2100 North Broadway
Santa Maria, CA 93454
Radisson
Hotel Santa Maria
3455 SKYWAY DRIVE
Santa Maria, CA 93455
Rose Garden
Inn - Santa Maria
1007 E
Main Street
Santa Maria, CA 93454
Hotel Reviews
Santa Maria Inn
Holiday Inn & Suites
Radisson Hotel
Santa Maria
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