Me and my wife are planning a trip to Pismo in mid January. We will be hauling our quads on an open snowmobile trailer, and staying at a hotel in town. I have never been to any dunes before, and was looking for some advice. I'm also worried about getting my quads ripped off. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks in advace.

 

Can you get a car alarm installed on the trailer? Otherwise it might make too tempting a target for some scumbag. At the least I'd have it chained up like crazy and hang a bunch of cow bells all over it.

Also, if big storms roll in while you're there, beach access might be iffy. The desert (Glamis) is a better chioce for winter since the California coast can be nasty this time of year.

 

After doing a little more research, I have decided to spend Jan 20-22 at Dumont(for me). Then Jan 23-25 at Pismo(so my wife can see the ocean). I have a 4x4 Chevy s-10 with 31" tires, is this enough to drive through this river at Pismo that i've read about? Also, are there any snakes/bugs or anything that a rookie duner would have to look out for? 1 last question....Is the elavation at Dumont enough of a change from Minnesota(800'?) that i'd have to change the jetting on my 250R? Thanks in advance for any advice. This is very helpful, when you call and talk to people at hotels etc., they seem like they have no clue about anything!

 

I go to Pismo about once a month and it will be great next month. If the weather cooperates. I always camp on the sand right next to my bike so I don't know about staying at a hotel. You shouldn't have any trouble with the "river" it is only bad at high tide. I have a 2000 Toyota Tundra 4x4 that I haul 3 bikes with and have never gotten stuck. Have fun I will probably be at Dumont on that same weekend if it is the Martin Luther King 3 dayer. We might hook up for a ride!!!

 

hi there, i go to pismo about twice a month. it's home away from home!

for the river - you usually only have to worry about crossing within 2 hours of high tide. the tide times are usually posted at the ranger/fee booth when you pull in - rangers there are great at answering questions. when you cross the river stay closer to the ocean and cross slowly. if tide is still a little high, watch the waves for a while and wait until they have pulled back. most of the time the river is nothing to worry about, sometimes it is very dangerous to cross.

the sand - after the rain it's usually pretty hard packed and not so easy to get stuck in. if it hasn't rained recently it can be pretty soft stuff. i have a 4x4 jeep cherokee and i do air down my tires when i am there. i don't know much about your tires but mine require 35psi and i air down to about 12psi. sometimes i take the jeep into the dunes but usually i air down just so i don't get stuck driving to the toilet! i would air down trailer tires a bit too.

the dunes - as you look from the ocean out into the dunes they appear smooth and round. as you are riding from camp to the dunes, watch out, the far half of the dunes drop off. better to slow down and see what you are getting into before descending. not alot of razorbacks or witches eyes out there but they are there! riding back toward the ocean is cool- you can hit some great jumps and get AIR!

misc - not really any pests to bother you out there. there are a few coyotes further back in the dunes and I hear there are snakes in the grassy areas - grassy areas are fenced off thanks to over zealous enviros anyway. watch out for the cute little birdies out there (snowy plover-endangered species) enviros....(i'll save that for another thread) theft does occur out there but not as frequently as places like Glamis. We do lock up our bikes. Last time I stayed in Motel 6 (4th street) and we backed the trailer up against the fence. Guys in next room backed their trailer onto the sidewalk and up against the room window! also, flags are required. Rangers are pretty active - mind the 15mph speedlimit along the beach! also illegial to ride doubles.

wow, that's alot of typing... enjoy your trip there - feel free to email or post any questions and I will happily answer

julie

 

You might consider driving up the coast to the Oregon Dunes also. It would be worth the drive. The drive up the coast is awesome anyway. I can help with any info[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

hey GAR - what's the Oregon Dunes like? I have been wanting check em out. Also, is this the same place called Coos Bay and/or Huniman? Thanks in advance!

Julie

 

Spinks250R...It would be great to meet someone out there. I will be on a red '88 250R(no stickers) with a purple frame. I will be easy to spot because I won't know what i'm doing, and i'll keep looking back to see where my wife is on her Warrior. I won't be out there until Monday(Martin Luther King day), flag me down if you see me.

Dunechick....Thanks for the advice. I even printed out your posting so that I can read it again when we get there. Thanks again.

 

dunechick, Yes, the Oregon dunes start with Coos Bay then 15 miles north is Winchester Bay, then Florence about 50 miles farther north, then Sand Lake another 2 hrs or so north. Most people like Coos Bay the best being something around 15,000 acres of fun. I like Winchester alot because of the larger dunes. You can see the dunes at Winchester from the Coos Bay dunes the section of dunes between is closed. The sand is blonde colored and coarse. If you avoid holidays you can ride and hardly see anyone except at the main gathering spots. Plenty of trails, hillclimbs and flats to fill anyone's apetite. If you head up this way,let me know I would be glad to show you people around. If you have any specific questions just ask. GAR[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

letitsnow - you're welcome. check your private messages for more info.....

GAR - thank you very much for the great info. i hope to make it up there in about 2 months or so.