Oceano Vehicle Free Beach Take Action Page
Help us ignite interest in creating an Oceano VFB as was promised by government agencies 44 years ago. We’re asking people, local organizations, community groups and elected officials to sign the petition and/or join our coalition.
Email Charles Varni if you would like to help Surfrider with any of the following volunteer actions:
- Staff information tables at public events and venues
- Be guest speakers at local private and public organizations
- Writing Letters to the Editor (New Times, Tribune, etc.)
- Writing letters to local elected officials and State agency employees
- Promoting the campaign on social media
Talking Points and Tips for Verbal and Written Communications
You are the change agent in this campaign to help educate and recruit supporters to our cause. Reach out to your local City Council, Supervisors, elected politicians, and State Agencies with your written and verbal communications.
In your communication, it is important to specifically state 2-4 reasons you support a vehicle free beach for Oceano. Below are various talking points you can use in formulating your comments and making your statement more personal. You are free to cut, paste, and copy any of the information on our website. Add in any personal reasons or short stories you may have.
Beach recreation
- I would love to use the Oceano Beach for walking and recreation but do not feel safe to do so because of all the cars.
- Oceano is a beautiful beach with large dunes to play on but I do not feel safe taking my children there because of all the vehicles driving on it.
- If there were no longer vehicles on Oceano Beach I would use it much more frequently for peaceful walks, watching sunsets, and enjoying nature.
- Our beach was taken from us decades ago when it became a highway for motor vehicles and I have to drive to Pismo beach for recreation.
- I would love to hang out at Oceano Beach and go to restaurants on Pier Avenue if there were not vehicles on the beach.
Economic Vitality and New Jobs
- A VFB would be the greatest driver of economic revitalization in the history of Oceano. There are thousands of tourists who want to play at a beach that is free of vehicular traffic and the potential economic boost to Oceano’s economy will be significant.
- Greatly expanded local employment in tourist and non-tourist related support services plus secondary economic ripples across the Five Cities economy and beyond.
- Increased demand for local tourist housing in Oceano including hotels, cabins, trailers, and in short term rentals.
- Increased occupancy for State, County, and private campgrounds.
- Increased demand for beach recreation rentals like ocean and dune surfing supplies, surf schools, beach bicycles plus tourist related clothing and souvenir shopping.
Nature and Environment
- The elimination of vehicles crossing Arroyo Grande creek will remove their threat to endangered species like the Southern steelhead trout, red legged frog, and tidewater goby.
- Bird habitat in the creek lagoon, on the beach, and in the Dunes Preserve will be greatly enhanced and bird deaths from vehicle hits eliminated.
- Migratory and endemic birds, both common and endangered will have a safe day and night habitat with vehicle disturbance eliminated. Expanded safe roosting, feeding, and nesting sites will attract more wildlife and tourists such as bird watchers.
- The beach environment will re-establish its natural ecosystem and invertebrates like crabs, sand dollars, and Pismo clams will no longer be crushed by vehicles. This creates a more robust habitat for surf fishing and clamming.
Elected Officials and State Agency Contacts
Arroyo Grande City Council (Public meetings monthly on 2nd and 4th Tuesday, 6 pm)
Grover Beach City Council (Public meetings monthly 2nd and 4th Monday, 6 pm)
Pismo Beach City Council (Public meetings monthly 1st and 3rd Tuesday, 6 pm)
Oceano Community Services District (Public meetings monthly 2nd Wed, 6 pm)
OCSDBoardmembers@oceanocsd.org
SLO County Board of Supervisors
Supervisor Jimmy Paulding (Arroyo Grande, Oceano, Nipomo)
Supervisor Dawn Ortiz-Legg (Grover, Pismo, Avila)
State Senator John Laird (805) 549-3784
State Senator Monique Limon (805) 346 2845
State Assembly Dawn Addis addis@assembly.ca.gov. (805) 549-3001
California Coastal Commission
Dan Carl, Central Coast District Director (831) 427 4863 dan.carl@coastal.ca.gov
Kevin Kahn, Central Coast District Manager (831) 427 4863 kevin.Kahn@coastal.ca.gov
CA State Parks
Kirsten Macintyre, Assistant Deputy Secretary for Communications, Kirsten.macintyre@resources.ca.gov
Click here for the main Oceano Vehicle Free Beach campaign page.