This hike is sponsored by The Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center and the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and will be led by Mark Skinner and Ray Segovia. The hike will begin at 9:00 AM (please plan to arrive between 8:45 and 9:00). It will be a casual walk through the dunes to the top of Coreopsis Hill, with an elevation gain of 300 ft. This is a moderate hike, about 3 hours round-trip. There should be lots of interesting wildflowers! Dress in layers, bring water and snacks. Bring your “Dune Mother’s Wildflower Guide” by Dr. Malcolm McLeod. Long pants and closed shoes are recommended as the habitat is coastal dune scrub and there is the possibility of poison oak and ticks in the natural dune areas. For more information, email admin@dunescenter.org. Heavy rain cancels this trip.

Limited reservations, register early!

Directions from the north: Take Hwy 101 south from San Luis Obispo. Turn right (west) at the new Willow Road off ramp (Exit 180). Proceed west on Willow Road for about 4.3 miles, to Highway 1. Turn left (south) on Highway 1 and proceed for 2.7 miles, to Oso Flaco Lake Road. Turn right (west) on Oso Flaco Lake Road. Proceed west on Oso Flaco Lake Road for 2.5 miles to Beigle Road. Look for a 6’ tall wire mesh fence and steel gate.

Directions from the south: Take 101 north to Santa Maria and take the Main Street exit toward the town of Guadalupe. Turn right onto Highway 1 and head north to Oso Flaco Lake Road (about 3 miles north of Guadalupe), turn left onto Oso Flaco Lake Road and proceed 2.5 miles to Beigle Road (on left).

Parking: We will have people posted at the entrance of the USFWS fenced road to direct parking. The gate will be open around 8:30. Please do not park on Oso Flaco Lake Road near the gate as there is not much room and it could be hazardous. There is room to park along the USFWS access road. Restrooms are available at the Oso Flaco Lake State Park lot which is another ¾ miles west of Beigle Road at the end of Oso Flaco Lake Road (there are no restrooms along the hike route). Note: Pets, smoking or tobacco products, or alcohol are not allowed on the Refuge, including the parking area, or other State Parks and Private properties accessed during the hike. Pets may not be left in cars in the parking areas.