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Oceano, the gateway to the dunes

February 25, 2026

OPINION by JIM SUTY

Charles Varni once again makes outlandish claims in his recent opinion, with no proof that “Oceano is being sacrificed for the Oceano Dunes vehicle park.”

Maybe Mr. Varni missed the big, beautiful sign on Highway 1 that says Oceano is the “Gateway to the Dunes.”

Maybe Mr. Varni does not appreciate that the state legislature created the California Coastal Commission to protect access to the beach and dunes for recreation. Or maybe Mr. Varni forgets the same state legislature designated the Oceano Dunes as a State Vehicular Recreational Area.

Yep, it is a State Park not an Oceano park or even a San Luis Obispo County park.

The Oceano Dunes welcomes everyone to enjoy themselves responsibly, without discrimination.

The state legislature aimed to prevent elitist groups from restricting public access to the beach and dunes. The state legislature wanted to ensure no discrimination on any basis.

For Mr. Varni to suggest that visitors to the Oceano Dunes State Vehicle Recreation Area are not welcome to enter through Oceano is a form of discrimination plain and simple. Just because you don’t agree with one form of recreation doesn’t give you the right to segregate them to an access point hidden away from the public.

I can only imagine the outrage if visitors to Yellowstone were told they needed to use another entrance just because they were not members of a specific recreation classification.

Sadly, we see more and more of these zealots wanting to restrict someone else for their selfish pleasures.

The great myth Mr. Varni suggests is that shutting off access to the Oceano Dunes will cause Oceano to thrive and develop in a way like Pismo Beach.

Unfortunately, the town of Guadalupe was misled years ago that closing their dunes would allow their town to flourish with ecotourism. They have seen no real growth after decades of closure.

The town of Oceano is a treasure just as it is.

The Oceano Dunes have been used by families from all over the world for beach and sand dune recreation for over 100 years. Historical use is undeniable and very well documented. Friends of Oceano Dunes will ensure it stays that way.

Jim Suty is the president of Friends of Oceano Dunes.

 


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The Coastal Commission has failed it’s main duty,“state legislature created the California Coastal Commission to protect access to the beach and dunes for recreation.”!

Taking my kids to the dunes was and is a great family outing, having fun while teaching discipline and responsibility!!!


1

Oceano Dunes is a national and California treasure precisely because of the beach access – unique and unlike anywhere else. To argue that Oceano would somehow be economically boosted by closing access is naiive in the extreme. I suppose the idea is “if the beach were less crowded it would be more exclusive and wealthy investors would be more likely to invest in new beach houses, restaurants and businesses”.  One need only to look at the massively crowded beaches from the Pacific Palisades to Coronado to dispel that notion.  I might just as easily argue it’s not the beach access that stifles larger investments at all – it’s the “endless sea” of trailer parks and RV-lots that chase away higher-end investments. Who wants to build their custom $3M home next to a trailer park or RV lot? I’m not saying that argument is right – I’m just saying it has significantly more merit than any argument that allowing vehicles to access the beach does.  Happy to see the beach access remain open for new families to create new memories in a beautiful and unique place for decades to come.


6

Money and growth aren’t always the measure of a town. Guadalupe has succeeded in making their area of the dunes a very intimate and special place without being disturbed by trash from the Central valley ripping around drunk on ATVs.


8

Thank you! I was starting to feel like I was the only one who felt this way. I’m glad to see more people are speaking up.


-1

It’s people like this that truly disappoint me. It’s like they don’t live in the same town and see what a trash pile it is. Not having a southern entrance is no excuse to ruin our town with all the riff raff. Shut it down!


-32

I think park staff would take offense to your trashpile comment. They keep the beach very clean. You I’m sure never drive the beach to see for yourself. Your “riff raff” remark is offensive also. Are you speaking of folks from the five cities, SLO County, who enjoy “Your” State Park, or nice people who travel from places you’ve never probably heard of to enjoy the State Park. Or maybe you think valley people suck. Regardless, you are a dick. So is Tom Joad. Elitists who want everything their way. Both of you sound like transplants- suck it


2

Thanks Jim. SV can go create bike lanes for his peddle pusher pals…. but leave the dunes alone. I live there. It’s a treasure and blessing to drive, horseback, bike, walk, or skip to my Lou my darlin. Leave us alone SV. Go away.


34