The road in was composed of packed sand over an asphalt surface. It was about a mile from the entry gate to this point nearing the beach.

A large paved parking lot was within a dozen yards (meters) of the beach. Restrooms were available and clean, and the area was as ADA compliant as sand could be.

Huge signs at the entry gate, and later this sign made it clear that dogs were not allowed on this beach or anywhere inside the preserve.

A wheelchair ramp led down to the beach. The Channel Islands offshore helped to mediate the surf. Signs warned about all the usual beach hazards, such as "Swimming, Surfing, and Wading are not Advisable." All the signs were both English and Spanish.

The beach was wide and sandy with pieces of driftwood scattered along it. The dunes could be seen rising to the left.

The entry road could be seen here to end as it reached the parking lot. This shot was taken from the foot of the wheelchair ramp where it met the beach.

A sign inside a shading structure provided context for this location. The small square was this Rancho Guadalupe Dunes Preserve. But the dunes themselves were clearly vast in comparison.

A former sand castle provided a glimpse of what these dunes might look like if the shot had been taken from and airplane high overhead.

Low plants grew in patches, where each patch was the beginning of an attempt to anchor part of the sand in place.

Here was a close up shot of the plants attempting to anchor the sand in a single place. Notice areas of green following a couple days of rain.

Here was an example of driftwood found well inland from the beach. The rise was shallow so storms could conceivably drive driftwood deeper than normally expected.

Just beyond a large driftwood log was an example of wind sculpted sand. Here the harmonics of sand and wind formed regular ripples in the sand.

Small pieces of young kelp had blown onto the beach and there dried out.

A departing rain storm created a dramatic cloud backdrop for the dunes that morning.

Father and son team were seen on the beach fishing that morning.

A small piece of young kelp was found washed up on the beach.

Inland from the beach the dunes began to rise. Here they were 20 or so feet high (6 meters).

The road out left the beach behind and headed inland toward the departing storm.

The road out passed a modest stream and a sign that read "Slow" -- painting of bird with chick following -- Xing (Where Xing means Crossing). Hence, slow down because birds and their young may cross the road here from time to time.

This is actually a serious matter because the bird is the Western Snowy Plover and it is a protected species that breeds there. That's partly why dogs aren't allowed because they disturb the birds.

Next to the road were rolling dunes backed by pale white clouds.

The road out approached a hill, beyond which was the park entrance, and beyond that was rolling farmland.