Vehicle Access Temporarily Closed at Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area and Pismo State Beach
Effective today, the California Department of Parks and Recreation has temporarily closed vehicular access to Pismo State Beach and Oceano Dunes Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA), including the Oso Flaco Lake parking lot.
These two sites are the latest additions to a list of parks the state has closed to vehicles in an effort to discourage crowds and limit the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) locally.
“In normal times, we welcome out-of-town visitors to our campgrounds and beaches ⎯ but now is not the time,” said County Emergency Services Director Wade Horton.
The following State Parks in San Luis Obispo County are now temporarily closed to vehicular access:
- Cayucos State Beach
- Hearst Castle
- Morro Bay State Park
- Morro Strand State Beach
- Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA)
- Pismo State Beach
California State Parks has implemented various safety measures in recent weeks, such as temporarily closing all campgrounds, museums, and visitor centers in the parks system; cancelling all events; and closing vehicular traffic to parks experiencing high visitation.
As of today, all non-campground outdoor areas of parks, including trails and beaches, remain open. Day-use restrooms also remain open, and visitors are advised to bring soap for handwashing and to use alcohol-based hand sanitizers when water is not available.
The County’s recent Shelter at Home order does not restrict residents from going outdoors for exercise or recreation as long as they are able to keep a physical distance of six feet from other people.
Individuals who are members of the same household do not need to maintain this physical distance from each other.
State Parks is working closely with local County and Public Health officials and assessing park operations daily to provide access to healthy outdoor recreation while maintaining required physical distancing.
If necessary, additional closures will be enacted in the coming days.
An updated list of closures is available online at www.parks.ca.gov/FlattenTheCurve
Recognizing the need to step outside and recreate, the State-operated parking lot off Grand Avenue remains open to vehicle parking; however, parking restrictions have been implemented which allow for 1 hour parking only.
For updates on COVID-19 in SLO County: Visit ReadySLO.org or call the recorded Public Health Information Line at (805) 788-2903. A staffed phone assistance center at (805) 543-2444 is available seven (7) days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for questions related to COVID-19.
To report a business violating the Shelter at Home order, call (805) 788-2222.
