Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes, National Natural Landmark sand dunes in Santa Barbara County, California.
The Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes is a protected sand dune system along California's Central Coast spanning parts of Santa Barbara County and San Luis Obispo County. The landscape consists of rolling sand formations with coastal vegetation and creates an open, windswept terrain.
The Chumash people were the first inhabitants of these coastal dunes. The region later became part of Spanish exploration routes that reshaped settlement and land use patterns.
The name comes from the nearby towns of Guadalupe and Nipomo. Visitors can observe how wind constantly reshapes the dunes, making the landscape feel alive and ever-changing.
Visitors can walk through the dunes on marked trails and observe wildlife throughout the area. It is important to stay on designated paths since this is a sensitive environment that needs protection.
Buried remains of movie set structures from a major early 20th century production lie hidden beneath the sand, offering a rare glimpse into the region's film history. A nearby visitor center displays some of these recovered artifacts and their backstory.
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