Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refuge: Santa Maria Rivermouth to Mussel Rock

-Mapped by Chuck Graham, Chuck Graham Photography

Chuck Graham Photography

Chuck Graham Photography

Chuck Graham Photography

Trail Facts

• Distance: 9.0

Waypoints

NSD001

Location: 34.964968, -120.650375

From the parking area, hike south along the beach toward the massive dunes that rise in the distance. Stay on the hard pack sand and maneuver around the flotsam of kelp and driftwood that speckle the beach until you reach the foredunes.

NSD002

Location: 34.962603, -120.651598

Look for Western Gulls, California Brown Pelicans and Western Snowy Plovers (the dunes are one of the best and last refuges of this threatened shorebird).

NSD003

Location: 34.95388, -120.653358

Bear left toward the huge waves of sand. These foredunes are the smallest dunes in this coastal ecosystem and the most unstable. (Short but steep mounds of sand have little vegetation stabilizing them.)

NSD004

Location: 34.938383, -120.652575

Prepare for a steep climb. It’s three steps forward and two steps back while ascending the dunes and their troughs filled with native vegetation like silver lupine and saltbush.

NSD005

Location: 34.936432, -120.654817

Look for the well-defined animal tracks of mountain lions, black bears, mule dear, coyotes, foxes, skunks and even dune beetles.

NSD006

Location: 34.930543, -120.661989

Turn around for sweeping views of the deep-blue Pacific and golden sand dunes.

NSD007

Location: 34.930539, -120.663378

Descend onto this craggy, wave-battered headland with a noteworthy rock arch. Listen and look for California sea lions hauled out on Mussel Rock and black oyster-catchers foraging for crustaceans. Retrace your steps.

Guadalupe-Nipomo Sand Dunes

Location: 34.930548, -120.66179

Snowy Plover

Location: 34.962603, -120.650997

Foredunes

Location: 34.95388, -120.652413

Some of the nicest dune lines are located in the foredunes with waves crashing on the beach due west.