Originally published in August 2009. This trip report has been updated to preserve its original photography and document an early gathering of Yamaha Rhinos, Kawasaki Teryx UTVs and the growing side-by-side aftermarket at Oceano Dunes.
The 2009 Dune Tour at Oceano Dunes brought UTV owners, manufacturers and aftermarket companies together on California’s Central Coast from August 7–9, 2009.
Presented by Yamaha Outdoors, the event included manufacturer demo rides, a UTV show and shine, a scavenger hunt, vendor displays and family activities. It also captured an important period in UTV history, when the Yamaha Rhino still dominated the recreational side-by-side market, the first-generation Kawasaki Teryx was establishing itself as a V-twin alternative, and the Polaris RZR was rapidly reshaping expectations for sport-focused side-by-sides.
The Dune Tour Comes to Pismo Beach
The Dune Tour was organized by PGI Media, publisher of Sand Addiction Magazine and Side X Side Action. Its events combined dune recreation with manufacturer displays, custom UTVs, product demonstrations and activities for the entire family.
The August 2009 stop was held at Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area, commonly called the Pismo Dunes. Oceano offered an experience unlike the inland deserts: visitors could drive along the beach, camp near the Pacific Ocean and access a designated OHV riding area directly from the sand.
Yamaha Rhino and Kawasaki Teryx Demo Rides
Yamaha and Kawasaki both brought their large event displays onto the beach and offered demonstration rides. For prospective buyers, this was an opportunity to experience the Yamaha Rhino and Kawasaki Teryx in real sand rather than simply inspecting them at a dealership.
The two machines represented different approaches to the early recreational UTV market. The Rhino had already inspired an enormous industry of long-travel suspension, cages, seats, wheels, tires and engine upgrades. Kawasaki’s Teryx brought V-twin power and quickly gained support from racers and performance builders.
Custom UTV Show and Shine
The show and shine attracted a wide range of customized side-by-sides. Yamaha Rhinos were especially prominent, appearing with long-travel suspension, custom cages, aftermarket seats, upgraded audio systems, wheels, tires and extensive body modifications.
These builds provide a snapshot of the industry in 2009. Owners were transforming machines originally marketed largely for utility and general recreation into specialized dune vehicles and highly personalized family builds.
Scenes from the 2009 Pismo Dune Tour
The event area brought together recreational riders, custom builders and families enjoying a weekend at the beach. The photographs also show how diverse the UTV market had already become, with Yamaha Rhinos, Kawasaki Teryx models, Polaris RZRs and utility-oriented machines sharing the sand.
Jason Britton’s Kawasaki Teryx
Stunt rider Jason Britton attended with a heavily modified Kawasaki Teryx. Its aggressive appearance and extensive modifications demonstrated the performance potential builders were beginning to see in Kawasaki’s V-twin platform.
Early UTV Aftermarket at Oceano Dunes
Vendors included iTi Performance Motorsports, SSV Works, FOX Racing Shox, Pro Armor, Muzzys and Big Belly Crew. Their displays covered several product categories that would become central to the modern UTV aftermarket, including suspension, exhaust systems, doors, mirrors, protection, audio and vehicle customization.
iTi Performance Motorsports
SSV Works and FOX Racing Shox
Additional UTV Vendors
Dune Tour Scavenger Hunt
The scavenger hunt sent participants away from the vendor area and into the dunes. It gave owners a reason to explore Oceano while making the UTVs themselves part of the event rather than leaving them parked around the displays.
Why This 2009 Event Matters
The 2009 Pismo Beach Dune Tour arrived during a formative period for recreational side-by-sides. The Yamaha Rhino had helped redefine what a side-by-side could be, and owners were building increasingly sophisticated machines for dunes, trails and family recreation.
At the same time, vehicles such as the Kawasaki Teryx and Polaris RZR were expanding the market in new directions. Events like the Dune Tour brought manufacturers, aftermarket companies and owners together while UTV culture was still taking shape.
The machines shown here may appear modest compared with today’s high-horsepower sport UTVs, but the cages, suspension systems, audio installations and custom family builds displayed at Oceano helped establish trends that remain part of the industry.
Oceano Dunes Then and Now
This article preserves the Oceano Dunes experience as it existed in August 2009. Riding boundaries, camping access and operating requirements have changed since these photographs were taken, and access remains the subject of regulatory and legal proceedings.
Before planning a current visit, confirm the latest park conditions and regulations. New visitors can also review our beginner tips for Oceano Dunes SVRA.
Oceano remains culturally and economically important to the surrounding Central Coast communities. Learn more in Oceano Dunes SVRA: An Economic Engine for California’s Central Coast.
For more early rides and events, browse the UTVGuide.net Trip Reports archive. For additional coverage of the machine that defined this era, visit our Yamaha UTV page.
