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Time to stop the devastation at the Oceano Dunes

July 13, 2026

OPINION by MATT STEPHENS

Having lived in San Luis Obispo County for more than 25 years, I continue to be astonished at the ongoing community support for the madness occurring year-round at Oceano Dunes by mostly out-of-area RV owners who, contrary to recent news, do not bring any significant benefit to this community.

Rather, our county and state continue to allow this devastation on a daily basis that destroys wildlife habitat and causes significant harm to nearby residents due to dangerous blowing dust, airborne particulates, and uncontrolled ATVs. We have some of the most beautiful beaches in the world but, sadly, Grover Beach and Oceano can no longer be counted among them.

Where are the environmentalists who have tirelessly worked for many decades now to preserve the treasured California coastline to be enjoyed for generations to come?

Let’s not keep supporting businesses, that benefit only a handful of business owners, but put the health of our citizens, beaches, and wildlife in jeopardy.

The time has long past that we should put an end to this insanity.

 


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26 Comments

The dunes weren’t put in anyone’s backyard, people chose to put their backyards near the dunes


31

Yeah, let’s stop having some fun at the beach and pay more taxes. That should do it. Talk about ‘devastating’.


47

Welcome to the Central Coast, Matt. Hope you are settling in comfortably. Those of us with original roots here aren’t offended by visitors who enjoy running their vehicles up and down the beach – we welcome everyone. The notion that the vehicle traffic is causing harm is just not accurate; the dunes and Oceano look better than they did 50+ years ago.


If one takes time to study and understand the ecology of the dunes and beaches one would understand that the ocean constantly delivers new sand to the beaches of the dunes, and no small amount of human activity will prevent or impact that enormous ongoing process.


So for those of us who know the dunes are here to stay, we welcome everyone to enjoy them in their own way. We can’t control mother nature, the winds, visitors, or newcomers.


Relax, chill, and enjoy the Central Coast. And let other enjoy it, too.


57

Wow. A whole 25 years. I’ll guess he came from a large city, looking for the peaceful nature he lacked in the concrete jungle. But, I’ll bet he was first in line to welcome Walmart and In and Out, and is rain-dancing for more 4 story and larger condo’s to cover the PCH.


Don’t worry, Matt, your mail in ballot will soon arrive at the elections office any day now…


40

((clapping))


Ftr, I was laughing when I read his opinion piece while envisioning him scratching at his man bun then occasionally pausing his writing to blurt out, “REEEEEEEEEEE!”


21

I’ve been here for 65 years and have been walking the dunes since I could walk. I welcome newcomers who want to restore the dunes.


-8

Just take a look at the madness occurring in the photo selected! Most in the photo are probably locals with a day use pass or annual enjoying the dunes year round. Also, I don’t think the businesses you want people to shun will be affected by the boycott. Are you afraid to stand out there with protest signs? Seems like that is the new trend. I would pay to see that.


22

Just come out and say the truth, you don’t like the type of person that visits the dunes


55

Spot on. Did good amount of survey work in that area and found residents very dismissive to “that type of people”. Their words, not mine.


23

I like the type of person who used to visit the dunes before it was illegally taken over by nitro-fueled drunken meth-heads. These people have no idea who Kathleen Jones and Bill Denneen were or what a coreopsis flower is.


-8

That’s as silly of an opinion as his.


0

So…. The dunes are home to hundreds of thousands of enthusiasts that play there every year.

They come from all over the state to this park to play. As they should. We have an abundance of beautiful beaches in the rest of the area where we can play without vehicles. Personally I like Montana de Oro, Morro Bay strand and Cayucos and Avila….

Will the Whiners ever get tired of all the handwringing and pearl clutching about the Dunes?!

…Probably not.


70

So the presence of other beaches is justification to destroy the Oceano dunes?


-12

The Dunes ….”destroyed “? Lol


14

This quote will NEVER get old or become untrue…


“The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they’re ignorant; it’s just that they know so much that isn’t so.” -Ronald Reagan, 1964


7

I continue to be astonished at those who think the “dangerous blowing dust and airborne particulates” are solely caused by ATV’s, when the strong on-shore winds have been blowing the fine talcum powder sand inland for millennia…forming the Nipomo Mesa and surrounding hills. Oh, and the Chumash didn’t drive four-wheelers that I’m aware of. But they did use the natural tar seepage (pismo) to waterproof their boats, and I’m pretty sure there weren’t any offshore oil rigs to blame then. Finally, those “endangered” snowy plovers that populate the entire west coast taste mighty good roasted on a spit over a fire pit on the beach. Now that’s living!


47

The dunes have been designated for off road use for more than 25 years. The snowy plover is doing just fine. The majority of people support off road use. If the near by residents are worried about the dust they shouldn’t have cut down the trees. Correct me if Im wrong but if i remember correctly, the dust levels were higher when the dunes were closed to OHV’s. Like during covid.


57

The dunes were never designated for off road use. The state just deferred enforcement after they were illegally taken over in 1982.


-14

Motor vehicles have traversed the dunes for well over 100 years, ever since someone figured out it was easier and much more fun than walking. Before that, horses stomped on snowy plover nests, before that, the Chumash were collecting the easy to find eggs.


I’m not sure what you consider “off road” enough to make that statement. The state has had LEO’s on the beach for decades prior to 1982. Even the Pismo PD used to patrol the sand.


5

You are spewing an astonishingly corrupted version of local Oceano history. The red flags are flying all around your credibility.


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