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Rancho Guadalupe Dunes Preserve
4.6 ★★★★★ 977 Google reviews · Running trail in Guadalupe, California · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Rancho Guadalupe Dunes Preserve's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
This tranquil park with miles of sand dunes & beach access offers fishing, hiking & picnicking.
What runners say about Rancho Guadalupe Dunes Preserve
“The dunes stretch for miles, creating a peaceful and scenic landscape that feels untouched and wild.”
“The dunes stretch for miles, creating a peaceful and scenic landscape that feels untouched and wild.”
We happened on this place by accident, trying to get to the Pacific and so glad that we did! This place is wild and wonderful. You drive over the dunes on a paved road to get to the beach.The dunes are magnificent! A photographer's paradise! We arrived on a windy May day to find something quite unexpected...
It was fun cycling. Mostly flat except for 2 short hills in the dunes. Not much traffic. Beautiful spot. Absolutely no dogs allowed, even inside a car, because it's a recovery area for an endangered species (Snowy Plover). As a dog lover, it's worth the sacrifice to be good to the planet.
Good place to get away. Just remember if it's 80's the sand will get really hot, if it's windy your legs will get sand basted. Also part of the park is fenced off starting in Oct and reopen in March 1st but you can always walk on the beach for about a mile where the fence ends and hike the bigger dunes.
If you're looking for a less populated beach with miles of ocean to walk beside, here is the right place. It's a nice little drive into the parking lot, which features two restrooms and some useful and great information regarding the area.
Trail conditions & character
“The dunes stretch for miles, creating a peaceful and scenic landscape that feels untouched and wild.”
“Come and Breathe in the cool crisp ocean air climb the dunes say hello to Lupinus chamissonis endemic to California meaning you won't find it anywhere else on earth.”
“It's a nice little drive into the parking lot, which features two restrooms and some useful and great information regarding the area.”
“Absolutely no dogs allowed, even inside a car, because it's a recovery area for an endangered species (Snowy Plover).”
“The dunes stretch for miles, creating a peaceful and scenic landscape that feels untouched and wild.”
“It's a nice little drive into the parking lot, which features two restrooms and some useful and great information regarding the area.”
Plan your run at Rancho Guadalupe Dunes Preserve
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitecountyofsb.org
- Phone(805) 343-2354
Hours
| Monday | 12–5:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 7 AM–5:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 7 AM–5:30 PM |
| Thursday | 7 AM–5:30 PM |
| Friday | 7 AM–5:30 PM |
| Saturday | 7 AM–5:30 PM |
| Sunday | 7 AM–5:30 PM |
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