Oso Flaco Photos - Bridge, Beach, Mountains

Central California coast's sand dunes can easily be seen as you fly overhead from most commercial aircraft between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Down on the ground exploring, you'll discover this wind-whipped region is magical, misty and mesmerizing.

Oso Flaco Lake Natural Trail is accessible from Oso Flaco Road off Highway 1 north of downtown Guadalupe. A guard hut and restrooms were installed several years ago and a parking fee of less than $5 is now charged to help pay for the attendant and upgrades created to attract visitors. A road sometimes covered in sand makes for a great adventure.

The Nature Trail leads pedestrians on a mile-long boardwalk which parallels the Oso Flaco Lake and Creek flowing into the Pacific Ocean. While it is part of the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area, no vehicles are allowed on this protected portion of it. Access to the all-terrain vehicle driving area is just north of this  region and must be accessed in Oceano.