Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes

In 1923, Cecil. B. DeMille built the City of the Pharaoh at the Guadalupe Sand Dunes for his film The Ten Commandments. I only became aware of this story after watching the 2016 documentary, The Lost City of Cecil B. DeMille, made by Peter Brosnan.

I stopped by the dunes twice this year, but neglected to do the proper research beforehand, so I wasn't able to visit the site of the buried movie set either time.

I believe the Rancho Guadalupe Dunes Preserve is about a mile or so south of the movie set, but I couldn't pinpoint the exact location by searching on the Internet.

From what I understand, directions might be available from a NAPA Auto Parts store which doubles as a small museum, and there is also the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center where many artifacts are on display, but it is currently open by appointment only.

In any event, the first time I stopped by was in July, when the dunes were closed off to protect the nesting grounds for California terns and snowy plovers.

It was windy and overcast in July, and not many people were visiting the dunes.

I visited again over Thanksgiving weekend, and you would almost think it was Summer.

The next time I pass by, I hope I'll be able to hike some of the trails and take a look at the site of the City of the Pharaoh.