Overview
Nipomo is a census designated place in San Luis Obispo County, California.
1 things to do · 1 places to eat · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Nipomo
Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refuge
An 18-mile stretch of sand dunes on the coastline. Hiking, wildlife viewing to surf fishing. The Dune Center (see Guadalupe for details) offers guided walks of the dunes. Cecil B. DeMille filmed the 10 Commandments on th…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jan–Dec. Summer highs reach about 75°F; winter lows dip to about 42°F. Wettest: Feb and Jan. (climate data from nearby Lompoc)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- SMX Santa Maria Public Airport Captain G Allan Hancock Field, Santa Maria — 9 mi away. Directions
- SBP San Luis County Regional Airport, San Luis Obispo — 17 mi away. Directions
- FAT Fresno Yosemite International Airport, Fresno — 128 mi away (major hub). Directions
The closest commercial airports are San Luis Obispo (SBP) and Santa Maria (SMX). The Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) is 90 miles to the south. Major airports are in the Los Angeles area, or San Francisco Bay Area where you will have more travel options.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Get in
By plane
The closest commercial airports are San Luis Obispo (SBP) and Santa Maria (SMX). The Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) is 90 miles to the south. Major airports are in the Los Angeles area, or San Francisco Bay Area where you will have more travel options.
By car
Nipomo is on Highway 101, south of San Luis Obispo.
By train
Nearest train stations are in the nearby cities of Guadalupe and Grover Beach.
Do
Do Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refuge
An 18-mile stretch of sand dunes on the coastline. Hiking, wildlife viewing to surf fishing. The Dune Center (see Guadalupe for details) offers guided walks of the dunes. Cecil B. DeMille filmed the 10 Commandments on these dunes then buried the set pieces in the sand. As the dunes blow in the wind, the sets are revealed then reburied so keep an eye out for "ancient Egyptian" architecture during your visit. Many other films have been filmed on this beach including a few scenes from the third Pirates of the Caribbean movie
Eat
Eat Jocko's Steakhouse
Dressy casual environment, frequently booked in advance with walkin space saved.
Sleep
Go next
- Santa Maria - Seven miles south of Nipomo, Santa Maria is the largest city in Santa Barbara County, and is probably best known as the original home of barbecue tri-tip, now referred to as Santa Maria style barbecue. The area is also one of the state's largest wine-producing regions, and has been a filming location for films ranging from The Ten Commandments to Pirates of the Caribbean.
Nearby
Santa Maria
City / town · 16 listings · 6 mi away
Guadalupe
City / town · 2 listings · 6 mi away
Arroyo Grande
City / town · 9 listings · 8 mi away
Oceano
City / town · 5 listings · 9 mi away
Grover Beach
City / town · 5 listings · 10 mi away
Pismo Beach
City / town · 17 listings · 13 mi away
Avila Beach
City / town · 13 listings · 17 mi away
San Luis Obispo
City / town · 51 listings · 19 mi away
My experience
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