Ready to swap highways for sand and get way off the beaten path?
California isn’t just beaches, big trees and big cities—it’s home to some seriously epic sand dunes that feel like they’re straight from another planet.
We’re talking giant hills of soft, golden sand where you can hike, camp, ride, or just flop down and watch the sky turn orange at sunset.
Each dune spot feels different, from peaceful and remote to loud and full of engines.
Which one will be YOUR favorite?
1. Ten Mile Dunes
Ten Mile Dunes, also known as Inglenook Fen–Ten Mile Dunes, is a wild stretch of towering sand dunes along the Mendocino Coast in Northern California.
You can find it just a few miles north of Fort Bragg.
You can hike for miles through soft golden sand, spot snowy plovers nesting in the dunes, and watch crashing waves from the rugged Pacific shoreline.
It’s part of MacKerricher State Park, and these dunes are actually formed by ancient river deposits and wind.
2. Oceano Dunes SVRA
Next up is Oceano Dunes SVRA, down on the Central Coast near Pismo Beach, and this place is a total adrenaline playground.
It’s the only spot in California apart from Pismo State Beach, where you can actually drive your car or ATV right on the sand.
You’ll see epic dune buggies, dirt bikes, and full-on off-roading action.
There’s also camping on the beach, plenty of recreational activities to enjoy, and sunsets that light up the sky like a postcard.
So even if you’re not into engines, there’s still plenty of fun to go around.
3. Eureka Dunes
Way out in Death Valley National Park, you’ll find Eureka Dunes.
This place is home to California’s tallest sand dunes, shooting up nearly 700 feet like giant beige mountains.
These dunes are so steep and remote that climbing them definitely feels like an adventure.
And if you’re lucky, you might even hear them “sing”—a super weird and cool humming sound the sand makes when it shifts.
It’s quiet, dramatic, and totally off the grid, with crazy views of the Last Chance Mountains and rare desert plants you won’t see anywhere else.
4. Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
Just a 2–3 hour drive south of Eureka Dunes, you’ll hit the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes near Stovepipe Wells.
These are the classic, picture-perfect dunes you’ve probably seen in movies like Star Wars (they feature as the Tatooine desert).
Rippled sand stretches out in every direction, with soft rolling hills that are perfect for sandboarding and sunrise strolls.
It’s super easy to get to, so it’s one of the most popular spots in Death Valley.
But if you wander a little farther from the parking lot, you’ll find quiet corners that feel like your own private desert playground.
5. Dumont Dunes
Keep cruising south and you’ll reach Dumont Dunes, a massive dune field out in the Mojave Desert that’s all about big air and high-speed fun.
This place is a magnet for off-roaders, with steep hills and open flats that draw in dune riders from all over.
It get’s especially lively during big holiday weekends when the place turns into a full-blown sand party.
It’s super remote, super rugged, and super fun if you’ve got a need for speed (plus, the sunsets over the Amargosa River are amazing).
6. Kelso Dunes
After the roar of Dumont, Kelso Dunes in the Mojave National Preserve feels like stepping into total silence—just you, the wind, and miles of untouched sand.
These dunes are huge (up to 650 feet tall!) and super peaceful, making them perfect for a slow, leg-burning hike with some seriously stunning views at the top.
Like Eureka, they can make that weird “booming” sound when the conditions are right.
And if you’re there in spring, you might catch wildflowers blooming all around the base.
7. Cadiz Dunes Wilderness
In a quiet corner of the Mojave Trails National Monument, Cadiz Dunes Wilderness is where you go to escape everything.
These reddish-pink dunes aren’t the biggest or flashiest, but they’ve got a dreamy, otherworldly feel and barely any crowds.
It’s the perfect place for a peaceful sunset hike or stargazing under pitch-black skies.
They were shaped by ancient lake beds and strong desert winds, and if you’re into photography, the colors here—especially at golden hour—are absolutely unreal.
8. Imperial Sand Dunes (Glamis)
Last stop on this sandy road trip is the Imperial Sand Dunes, also known as Glamis—California’s largest dune field.
These dunes seriously feel like they go on forever.
It has mountains of soft sand that attract off-roaders, dune buggies, and desert campers from all over the country, especially when the weather cools down in winter.
It’s wild, it’s loud, it’s legendary, and it even has a few claims to fame.
Glamis has been the backdrop for everything from car commercials to sci-fi movies like Jumanji: The Next Level, thanks to its jaw-dropping, Mars-like landscape.
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