🌻Coreopsis Hill-Wildflower Hike with CNPS

Community Hike to Coreopsis Hill 🌻

📅 Saturday, March 21 2026
🕘 Meet at 9:00 AM at Wildlife Refuge (details below)

The Dunes Center is teaming up with California Native Plant Society to deliver an unforgettable adventure in our dunes. Step into spring with us for a rare and unforgettable guided hike to Coreopsis Hill—a visually stunning and ecologically rich corner of the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes, typically closed to the public. Thanks to special permission from the Wildlife Refuge and the generosity of Mill’s Family Farm, we’re thrilled to offer you this unique opportunity to explore protected land that’s rarely accessible.

We will visit Coreopsis Hill for a moderately strenuous hike focused on the areas of the giant coreopsis and other coastal dune plants. Our wonderful friends from CNPS will guide our group through the otherworldly plants in this unique landscape. This hike is about 3 hours in length, and starts at 9:30 AM.—Giant Coreopsis, Dune Wallflower, Crisp Dune Mint, and more. Accompanying us will be Dunes Center docent Ray Segovia and Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator Saule Baipsys, who will share powerful stories and history about the people, places, and conservation efforts that have helped safeguard this landscape for future generations.

Please note:

🚫 Pets, smoking, or alcohol are not permitted on the Refuge, including the parking area and all properties we’ll access during the hike. This includes State Parks and private land.

🚗 Do not leave pets in cars.

🧴 Please pack out what you pack in and help us preserve the beauty of this fragile ecosystem.

🚻 There are no restrooms along the hike route. If needed, restrooms are available at the Oso Flaco Lake State Park lot, about ¾ mile past Beagle Road.

👟 Please wear sturdy shoes, dress in layers, and bring plenty of water. This is a moderate hike with uneven terrain.

⚠️ Be aware of natural hazards in the area including but not limited to: ticks, rattlesnakes, and poison oak.

📍Directions to the meeting location:

From the North (San Luis Obispo):

Take Hwy 101 South. Exit at Willow Road (Exit 180) and head west for about 4.3 miles to Highway 1. Turn left (south) on Highway 1 and drive 2.7 miles. Turn right (west) onto Oso Flaco Lake Road. Go 2.5 miles, then turn left onto Beagle Road, just past a 6’ wire mesh fence and steel gate. Follow Beagle Road about ¼ mile to the parking area.

From the South (Santa Maria/Guadalupe):

Take Hwy 101 North and exit at Main Street toward Guadalupe. Turn right onto Highway 1, and go about 3 miles past the town. Turn left on Oso Flaco Lake Road, go 2.5 miles, then left onto Beagle Road and follow it ¼ mile to the parking area.

🚙 Parking Info:

We will have staff posted at the entrance gate of the USFWS access road to direct parking. The gate will open at 9AM. Please do not park on Oso Flaco Lake Road near the gate—it’s narrow and can be hazardous. There will be ample space to park along the USFWS access road.

🌼 Space is limited—reserve your spot today and be part of this truly special adventure into a part of the Dunes few have the chance to see.

Register Here!