ATV Riding at Pismo Beach: Drive the Oceano Dunes

You're in the driver's seat on miles of sand dunes and Pacific shoreline.

ATV riding at Pismo Beach puts you behind the wheel of a dune buggy, UTV or ATV to drive yourself through the Oceano Dunes for 2 hours. This is the only place in California where you can operate your own vehicle on a public beach. The experience includes all safety gear, a safety orientation, a complimentary shuttle to the staging area, park fees and a souvenir t-shirt. You can switch drivers as often as you want during the ride.

Step-by-step itinerary

Dune buggy adventure at Oceano Dunes

• Rent dune buggy in Oceano
• Get fitted with safety gear
• Receive safety orientation
• Take beach shuttle to staging area
• Drive dune buggy through Oceano Dunes

The experience

Nowhere else in California lets you drive your own vehicle on a public beach, so this rental cuts straight to what makes Pismo Beach different. You pick your vehicle (a two-seat or four-seat dune buggy, a 250cc or 450cc ATV, or a two-seat or four-seat UTV), and head to the rental office at 328 Pier Ave in Oceano, just five minutes from Pismo Beach. After you get fitted with safety gear and receive instruction on how to operate the vehicle, a complimentary shuttle takes you a mile down the beach to the OHV staging area where you take the wheel.

The 2-hour window is yours to cruise the scenic Pacific shoreline and then push into miles of sand dunes at whatever pace you want. You can zoom and zip through the dunes, or take it slower. The fully automatic transmission means no gear shifting. A support team stays with you the whole time in case you get stuck or need help. If someone else in your group wants a turn, you can switch drivers as often as you like without stopping the clock. The rental includes all equipment and safety gear. Park fees are covered, and you'll get a souvenir t-shirt to take home.

What’s included

• All safety gear and a safety orientation.
• park fees.
• a complimentary shuttle from the rental office to the staging area.
• a souvenir t-shirt per vehicle booked (while supplies last).
• and a support team on the dunes for the full 2 hours.

Options for this experience

6 options

2-hour rental of a 250cc 2x4 ATVGuide in English · 6 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 14:00Duration: 2 hours, with 2 hours of free roaming at the Oceano Dunes on a Honda 250cc ATV; rear-wheel drive with semi-automatic transmission (shifting required); $100 damage deposit required

Four-seat UTV rental, 2 hoursGuide in English · 6 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 14:00Duration: 2 hours, with 2 hours of free roaming at the Oceano Dunes on a CanAm Maverick X3 Turbo; $1500 damage deposit required

2-hour rental of a 450cc 4x4 ATVGuide in English · 6 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 14:00Duration: 2 hours, with 2 hours of free roaming at the Oceano Dunes on a fully automatic 450cc 4x4 ATV with four-wheel drive; $450 damage deposit required

See 3 more options

Four-seat dune buggy rental, 2 hoursGuide in English · 6 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 14:00Duration: 2 hours, with 2 hours of free roaming at the Oceano Dunes on a 4-seater dune buggy; $100 damage deposit required

Two-seat dune buggy rental, 2 hoursGuide in English · 6 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 14:00Duration: 2 hours, with 2 hours of free roaming at the Oceano Dunes on a 2-seater dune buggy; $100 damage deposit required

Two-seat UTV rental, 2 hoursGuide in English · 6 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 14:00Duration: 2 hours, with 2 hours of free roaming at the Oceano Dunes on a CanAm Maverick X3 Turbo; $1500 damage deposit required

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day6 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 14:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Under 18: can't be booked

GroupUp to 50

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessiblePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by SunBuggy Fun Rentals

Is this one for you?Choose the vehicle size based on your group: a two-seat option works for a couple or friends taking turns, while four-seat buggies and UTVs let a family or larger group ride together without splitting up. A damage deposit applies depending on which vehicle you pick, so factor that into your budget when you book.

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Top questions

Can I drive a dune buggy if I've never done this before?

Yes. The rental includes a safety orientation before you head out, and a support team rides with you the whole time. The vehicles are fully automatic, so there's no manual transmission to manage. You just need to be at least 18 years old with a valid driver's license and a photo ID.

What's the difference between the dune buggy, UTV and ATV options?

Dune buggies seat two or four passengers and are built for the sand. UTVs (utility terrain vehicles) also come in two-seat or four-seat versions and handle dunes and beach terrain. ATVs are single-rider quads available in 250cc or 450cc sizes. All are fully automatic and come with the same 2-hour rental, gear and instruction.

Do I need to bring my own transportation to Oceano?

The rental office is at 328 Pier Ave in Oceano, about five minutes from Pismo Beach. Public transportation options are available nearby if you don't have a car. Once you're at the office, a complimentary shuttle takes you to the staging area on the beach.

Can multiple people take turns driving during the 2-hour rental?

Yes. You can switch drivers as often as you want during the experience without using up any of your 2-hour window. Each driver needs to be at least 18 with a valid driver's license.

What happens if I get stuck in the sand?

A support team stays with your group throughout the 2-hour ride and will help you if you get stuck or need any other assistance on the dunes.