Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refuge

The Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refuge is a protected area along California's central coast that includes coastal dunes, lakes, and wetlands. The landscape shifts between tall sand hills, freshwater lakes, and flat salt marshes as you move through it.

European explorers documented the region about 250 years ago, though the land had been inhabited for thousands of years before that. Protection status came later to preserve the distinctive dune landscapes and their fragile ecosystems.

The land has supported human life and wildlife for thousands of years, shaped by shifting dunes and seasonal water patterns that define how people and animals interact here. Walking through the refuge, you notice how these elements create distinct zones where different species thrive together.

Access is available through several entry points including Oso Flaco Lake and Rancho Guadalupe Dunes County Park, though some areas may be closed at certain times. Good footwear matters because sand, wet spots, and uneven ground are left in their natural state to protect nesting sites.

The refuge harbors over 100 animal and plant species found nowhere else in California or seriously threatened elsewhere. The California red-legged frog and other specialized creatures depend entirely on the undisturbed habitats preserved here.

Location: Santa Barbara County

Location: San Luis Obispo County

Inception: 2000

Part of: Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes

Website: https://fws.gov/refuge/guadalupe-nipomo_dunes

GPS coordinates: 35.00350,-120.61400

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:50