Regarding “The Dunes” opinion piece (Feb. 12), I agree with the thought, “You need to learn to share with those who have just as much right to the beach as you do.” In that spirit, I propose “vehicle-free beach days” be implemented for Oceano residents and others who would like to enjoy the beach too. It is rather arrogant to tell residents to go south to Guadalupe Dunes for peaceful beach enjoyment. Why drive 10 to 15 miles south, into another county, when you live a mile from the beach?
State Parks management has the ability to implement vehicle-free beach days now. Perhaps start with two days per month, one weekday and one weekend day. Seasonal events could be coordinated such as Chumash Heritage Day; Birding Day; Fly a Kite Day; Dunite History Day; etc.
This would also give State Parks and the county data and insight into how many non-OHV visitors would come here.
Having personally walked the beach south of Pier Avenue while dodging vehicles, being honked at and yelled at, I can understand visitor reluctance to come here. It is well known that OHV use tends to drive out all other uses (bicyclists, hikers, birders, hunters, etc.). There are many thousands of miles of off-road trails in California. Let the OHV enthusiasts go elsewhere on the vehicle-free beach days. Sharing goes both ways.
Rachelle Toti
Arroyo Grande
This article appears in Feb 19-26, 2026.
There are already full time vehicle-free areas a lot closer than 10-15 miles away. All of the beach from just North of Grand Avenue to Shell Beach is also vehicle-free, and much closer.
The spice must flow.