When visiting Guadalupe I love stopping by the Dune's Center. The Dune Center has a permanent exhibit documenting Cecil. B. DeMille's visit in 1923 to film The Ten Commandments.  Afterwards the entire set was buried in the Dunes.   The current exhibit features sand from across the world.  It was amazing seeing how sand varies in texture and color depending on how it was created.  One of my favorites was Egyptian sand.  It was dry, dusty, and there was the aura of age about it. Young lady in charge was friendly and informative. We are all stardust. Carl Sagan read more

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A diamond in the ruff. Since our last visit, new exhibit's have been added and existing one's expanded. The sand challenge exhibit is fun and informative. Giving you a glimpse of the sand in a particular region or part of the world. If you have any sand to contribute from a region they don't already have, you may add to their collection. Now if only I could find the sand I collected from Hawaii years ago... The Ten Commandments movie set (by Cecil B. Demille) is still slowly being unearthed by archaeologists and art restorers. I'm sure Cecil is looking down from Heaven getting a kick out of people excavating his set, after being buried for over 60 years. It's interesting to see the pieces, if one did not know better I'd swear we were viewing ancient Egyptian artifacts! The gift shop has many beautiful prints, books and souvenirs to admire. Hours are; Tuesday thru Saturday 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Admission; $7.00 for Adults, $6.00 for Seniors. Numerous events are hosted for children's education programs including internships and field trips. Visit their site to learn more. read more

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I have been waiting to go to this museum ever since I learned, it holds some of the incredible artifacts from the 1923 movie "The Ten Commandments". On the Dunes nearby at Rancho Guadalupe Dunes preserve we're buried massive set pieces including an Avenue of 21 Sphinxes, all leading up to a huge temple. Over 3,500 people worked on this set, directed by Cecil B Demille. When production ended the props were either destroyed or simple buried. It wasn't til the 80's when an archeological dig took place to find the old set. At the Dunes center you can actually see some of the remains and learn more about the movie production (see pics). Also, at the museum is information about the formation of the dunes and an exhibit of sands from around the word. Plus, info on the Spiritualist/Artist community of Dunites and the cultural agriculture of the area. Check the website for entry information. read more

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Well worth detouring off of the 101 highway to visit this area and Museum. Interesting city and curated items from the 10 Commandments Movie of 1923. Also, Gloria was an excellent and personable guide and attendant. read more

An ancient Egyptian city buried in California? Yes, you read that right. We recently took a 6-day journey through California's central coast. While researching unique and quirky places along the way (as well as bakeries... you know my priorities!), I came across a hidden gem known locally as "The City of the Pharaoh" -- where towering Egyptian statues of Ramses II and temple gates once stood more than 12 stories tall and 800 feet wide! But how did it get here? And why California? All very good questions! We're in the land of Southern California -- home to fake tans, big dreams and apparently the perfect fake backdrop for ancient Egypt. It was 1923 when filmmaker Cecil. B. DeMille built the largest set in movie history in the dunes near Guadalupe, Calif., for his silent (and early Technicolor) epic, The Ten Commandments. After filming was complete, DeMille ordered that the entire set be dismantled and secretly buried in the dunes. While most of the set is long gone, there is one group digging up one of the most elaborate sets Hollywood ever created. The Dune Center, while compact, covers not only the film's history but includes interactive displays on the area's local community and environment. We recommend taking a guided tour, which is included with the $5 admission, to get a full appreciation of it all. Our guide Gaby rolled out the red carpet and explained how this tiny coastal community became home to some of Hollywood's biggest blockbusters. Local residents speculated the lost set was buried somewhere nearby, as they collected props that randomly would surface. Some even took parts of the set and used them as lawn ornaments! But over the years, as sand piled up higher and higher, the true location of the set seemed to be a mystery. It wasn't until 1983 when a group of film fans pinpointed the spot based on DeMille's autobiography that the set may lie beneath the remote dunes off Guadalupe. And they were right! We could see why Hollywood has used these sand dunes for so many movies we all have probably seen like Pirates of the Caribbean, Hidalgo and Rocky and Bullwinkle (okay, maybe we somehow missed that last one!). It is well worth the journey along any road trip. And now you can say you've seen the great Sphinx of California! read more

Dunes Center - One of the excavated set pieces from the Ten Commandments. - Museums Near Me - Guadalupe, California

Great stop to learn more about the history of Guadalupe. The movie the 10 Commandments was filmed in Guadalupe, and instead of taking the Egyptian city with them after filming it was all left on the Dunes back in the early 1900's. The Dune Center is a great blend of appreciating the history of Guadalupe and having modern technology to learn about the city. Many of the original artifacts are on display with lots of history to read and enjoy. Here are a few things to know before you go: 1) The cost is $7.00 per adult and children 12 and under free, and Guadalupe residents are free. 2) Street parking only, but the streets are no crowded at all and you can easily park and walk. Parking is free. 3) The center is small, but has a lot of history available. The center can be viewed in 1 hour. That includes speaking with the docents, and watching the short 14 minute video that can be viewed on a TV. 4) The little town of Guadalupe is a great mid way stop off of Hwy 1. Stop at the Dune Center and then check out one of the great restaurants in the area. We walked to El Tapitio right down the road (a 5 star Yelp review) and enjoyed lunch. After lunch head down to North America's largest Dune preserve right down the road (10 minutes from Dune Center) and free parking. read more

Since I am almost local, as in nearby Pismo Beach, I am a bit biased with seeking out little known or historical elements. Local treasures range from Price House in Pismo to Dunes Center, the amazing Dunes, and beyond. What most people who pass thru the museum, cruise up the 1, or check out the Dunes, do not know, is that Guadalupe itself is a historical site...it was a Japantown prior to WWII. You can find the old maps on the web which still match many of the old buildings here. Most obvious is the town clock, the 3rd generation Japanese run Food Market, and even a Buddhist temple. It would be nice if the Dunes Center could expand it's scope to include the town, especially since it supported the film production. I think the towns main growth happened when hundreds of Japanese laborers came to farm/work in the Guadalupe area. To support them, there were several now extinct hotels in town. Since it was a Japantown during the filming, I wonder if the resident Japanese helped, or if racism prevented that. It would be nice to have some artifacts from that period also grace the museum, since they also address both the Chumash and the Dunites. As for the museum itself, I was immediately impressed and became a supporting member. I do not know what people expect, but while tiny, it really is packed with history. I easy spent over an hour checking out the artifacts, the history, the local artwork, the many books, the film, and more. The two staff that I spoke to were wonderful locals who lived either in town or near me. I learned quite a bit of facts from them. I thought that native Rainbow Trout exhibit along with the kids artwork was very cute. Sadly, as an invasive species, the Crawfish Tank had less "love", but OMG, I heard that they reproduce like mad. I came up with a new idea for fund raising....the "Guadalupe Crawfish Farm & BBQ". LOL! While the Sphinx and those artifacts are cool, I really liked the less obvious stuff, like the mysterious Dunites, the Chumash, etc... Do not avoid the gift shop area since it also doubles are an educational section, complete with a small library and some short movies. If you wish to purchase some cool items, they range from the sublime B&W Photos of the Dunes to T-Shirts. Since I already purchased both the "Ten Commandments" & "The Lost City" from Amazon Video, I did not need their DVD's at this time. Surprisingly, the Lost City was an excellent fascinating little known movie which would likely please any history buff. They also stock a great assortment of limited edition little known books that go into the history of many of the local towns. A friend at work turned me on to the history of the Los Osos/ Baywood edition, but there are tons more. Some of the books are even signed editions, which is really cool. The Black & White photo/art are also signed, look great, & are quite reasonable in price. They do have an assortment sans frame and start around $20-30 each matted pic. For those who want the "big picture" there are special huge canvas/other color prints that are available [Chuck Jennings at Giclée Print] All in all, I think that while you are in the area, a visit to the Dunes Center, a walk/drive thru the historian old Japantown [check out the old clock], & the dunes...is "required". As for more Nikkei [ & Japantown ] history here are some links: http://www.californiajapantowns.org/guadalupe.html "Guadalupe had become the principal agricultural center of North County by the 1930s, providing a majority of the lettuce grown in California. The vitality of Japantown communities in Guadalupe and Santa Maria was reflected in a 1935 report by Hisagoro Sako on the Santa Maria Valley, "There are more than 50 independent farmers tilling over eight thousand acres of land, four packing houses, twelve grocery stores, eleven restaurants, eight hotels and boarding houses . . . The total investment was said to be about two million dollars." After World War II, produce production in Santa Maria continued, while Guadalupe remained, nearly frozen in time, as it was over 60 years ago..." & an old Map of Japantown: http://japantownatlas.com/map-guadalupe.html read more

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Nowhere does it say $7 entry fee. Then you get there and pay and there's three displays of old movie sets. Super disappointed. And feel taken advantage of. read more

Dunes Center - The displays - Museums Near Me - Guadalupe, California

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Loving movies & history the way I do, this was a fascinating stop. The center is small, and the majority of the place focuses on the 'Lost City of Demille'. I enjoyed learning of that discovery and seeing the artifacts, but would have liked to see more about that, and the area, in regards to the natural world. I do understand space is an issue at this point for them. They definitely need a bigger building. There is a variety of short films you can watch. We watched the edited version of the Demille discovery. The room where you watch it is right next to the entrance, so you get a lot of noise from the door opening & closing, with people coming and going and all of that chatter. $7 entrance fee for adults, no Triple A, or military discounts. Street parking available. read more

The Dunes Center is a tiny museum / conservation center for the Guadalupe / Nipomo Dunes. The docents are very friendly, and very helpful. I strongly recommend an appointment as they are not always open. The stories about the dunites, who live in the dunes and the filming of The Ten Commandments there by Cecil B DeMille are fascinating. Be sure to ask to see the movies they have and expect an informative, fun morning. Make a docent appointment - it is worth your time - especially if you are local. And it is all free! - You can donate, please - Enjoy read more

What a local treasure, here in the heart of Guadalupe, biggest little town you never heard of!! This place, though small, was packed with lots of local lore, both natural and man-made, historical and current! If you are a fan of the old silent movie era, this is the place to learn about D.W. Griffith's 1923 "The 10 Commandments", and the massive project that ended up being the most expensive movie made, for its time. Who would have thought that California actually had its own 'ancient Egyptian ruins', lost in the dunes just west of Guadalupe. There is also a lot of info about the bohemian colony of 'free spirits', the "Duneites", who lived in small enclaves in the Nipomo Dunes from the 1920s and 30s, and to a lesser degree, on through the 1960s. The docents on-site are very friendly and informative. This is a must-stop for anyone that is either a film buff, historical buff or just plain interested in the secrets some small towns have. read more

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We were welcomed & offered a tour. It's $7.00 to get in and well worth it! Fascinating history of Guadalupe and what has been found in the Sand Dunes next to this charming little town. Make sure you visit the green and yellow house next door to learn more about the History of Guadalupe. It's a nice detour off 101. Take highway 1 instead and stop here. Donate for a good cause. One would think the Hollywood crowd would love to participate in this project especially being a fan of Cecil B Demille. Thank you so much. We will be back. read more

Dunes Center - Incredible exhibits of those determined to preserve the remains of a movie set of Cecil B Demille's first 10 Commabdments - Museums Near Me - Guadalupe, California

Really nice folks here - All I wanted was a map, and I got two maps immediately - really nice ones, too! Glossy. Great to see people working here who really love the area, working on a three-day weekend. Stopped in for less than a minute, but I know where I'll return when I need a docent-led tour or any other info on the area. Check em' out for free maps. read more

The Dunes Center is located in the town of Guadalupe, a few miles west of Santa Maria, CA. It is located in one of the older restored homes on the northern edge of town. The displays include artifacts from the 1934 Cleopatra film set. I recommend you watch the brief movie describing the work that was done to locate the set. The staff was very nice, helpful and well informed. There is a small fee to enter, but we felt it was worth it to be able to support the Dunes Center. read more

I'm biased, but I love the Dunes Center and what it represents to Guadalupe and the local community. There is no doubt that this is a small museum; Guadalupe has only 7,000 residents, and very little funds to spare. The Dunes Center coordinates outreach programs that reach over 3,000 kids a year, helping them with STEM and natural science classes that are available under the aegis of the Dunes Center. As for the museum itself, it houses the only remaining artifacts from the 1923 Cecil B. DeMille film, 'The Ten Commandments', showcases local photographers, highlights Kathleen Goddard Jones, and samples from the Dunites. New exhibits display the ecology of the dunes, and sand from around the world. One shouldn't visit expecting displays that could be at the Getty with it's budget of close to $3,000,000! At the Dunes Center, you can take pleasure and knowledge in the small things. For only $5.00 you can see pieces of history, learn about the locality and do a quick shop in the bookstore. read more

This museum has something for everyone. For film buffs and archaeology nerds (that's me!) there's excavated parts of DeMille's 1923 silent film "The Ten Commandments". This was a huge production - some of the stats are crazy. There were 3,500 people that lived in tents out in the dunes while the movie was being filmed. I love being able to see plaster of Paris artifacts that are almost 100 years old. For nature-lovers and birders, there's exhibits on the unique local ecosystems, including the popular Oso Flaco Lake. There's tanks with live animals in them, which kids are definitely drawn to. An augmented reality sandbox helps explain the geology of the dunes. There's information on the local people too, including the Chumash, various groups of people with agricultural roots in the area, and the Dunites. The docents are super friendly, and give tours that are included with the $5 admission. They're knowledgeable and helpful, especially with information about the Dunes complex and where to eat locally. read more

If you are looking to see artifacts from the 1923 movie that had been excavated for 30 years be prepared for a major disappointment. For $5 admission you can see the excavated pieces in an area that would fit onto a kitchen wall. There are bits and pieces of a sphinx head, a foot, a small piece of unidentified plaster hanging on the wall and several old cough syrup bottles. That is essentially it. You can be done with this museum in under 10 minutes. Sorry, it's just not worth the time or trouble to visit. read more

I grew up on the central coast, but The Dunes Center offered me information that I never really knew about. I was surprised to learn some new things about my own home town. If you like the area, and already think it's got its quirks, then The Dunes Center is sure to be an informative stop along your way down the CA highway. read more

Dunes Center - Obsessed with my new Sphinx Travers' Poster only available at The Dunes Center :) - Museums Near Me - Guadalupe, California

I was visiting my brother at UCSB from the east coast and wanted to do something unusual and outdoors for a day trip. We decided to visit the dunes after a quick stop in Santa Maria for paletas and tacos. We were greeted at the Dunes Center by a sweet docent who explained the history and gave us a map. She suggested we check out the bird sanctuary and then the large dunes. The dunes were breathtaking and unlike anything I've ever seen. It was quite windy and cold by the water so I would suggest a light jacket. The bird area was also quite neat...we saw white pelicans, a variety of ducks and a huge hawk. Overall a great place to go! read more

We just stopped at the Dunes Center and really recommend it! Something to see and do for kids of all ages. The Center has information about local history, plants, birds and the Ten Commandments film set. The docents are friendly and helpful. My favorite exhibit was the sand samples with QR codes. read more

We visited upon the advice of someone at the Santa Maria Elks Lodge. The tour by gaby was very intetesting. I highly recommend visiting. Great for children too! read more

I always love visiting the Dune Center. Located in the beautiful and small town of Guadalupe, this museum and the town itself offer a great experience that is completely different than other areas along the Central Coast of California. The museum itself is small but, it is packed with cool artifacts and information about the history and wildlife in the area. The staff are always helpful and can give great advice about the best places to hike in the dunes. The dunes in the area are extraordinary and one of the few places in California where these types of dunes are preserved. In addition, the Dunes Center has awesome artifacts from DeMille's film "The Ten Commandments" filmed in 1923. I had no idea there was a movie filmed out in the dunes and enjoyed hearing about it. The Dunes Center is a great place to go visit and they are really involved in the community. read more

A real gem of the Central Coast! A must stop if you're in the area. Couple a visit to the Dunes Cnter with a visit to Guadalupe Beach or Oso Flaco, and a meal at one of the local restaurants to make a perfect day! read more

Just visited the Dunes Center last weekend. I was very disheartened as I had visited there about two years ago, and its much much smaller now! It used to be two stories, and now its basically one room with about four things in it. I was so excited to bring my family there and I was really really disappointed. There was a 19 year old kid at the front who didn't even know where the Dunes were, and never removed his earphones to talk to us even if we had questions. I thought with all the new hype about the movie findings it would have expanded more, but it hadn't. If there was more to the museum, the kid at the front desk didn't show us. read more

The Dunes Center itself is pretty cool with lots of educational displays and information about the unique local ecosystems. They get an extra star for the special events (hikes, etc) and education they do throughout the community (especially in local schooles). Worth checking out and supporting. read more

Fun, educational and friendly! Excellent way to spend a few hours and staff was great. "Thou Shalt go to the Dunes Center!"

I loved visiting this fascinating little museum right downtown. I went to learn about the archeological dig to discover the set from Cecil B. DeMille's 1923 epic "The Ten Commandments". Thanks to Gaby, the personable proprietor, I learned much more about the history and ecology of the area. I look forward to returning to explore the dunes themselves. A recommended detour. read more

The dunes -and the beach- are absolutely spectacular and the Dunes Center is a real gem. Very friendly and knowledgeable staff. Loved it and will certainly visit it again! read more

Forget the Dunes Center, go see Johnny Perry at the NAPA car repair shop down the street, he has been living in Guadalupe for 60 years and knows everything about the town! His shop is full of treasures and he's got stories to tell for everything in there. read more

Lovely little exhibition center and introduction to the area. Gabby is an excellent greeter and guide.

The Dunes Center in Guadalupe packs a ton of artifacts in that sweet little craftsman style building: lots of Sphinx stuff they dug up from a nearby movie set in the 1920's.And lots of stories about the Dunites who once inhabited the dunes.They bus in tons of school kids that they teach at the beach, too. They have guided free tours at Oso Flaco and they are very active in the community.Like Martha Stewart used to say, "It's a good thing." read more

Visit the Dunes often and have always been happy with the staff and exhibits. We took our grandson there and he loves the crafts they had for the kids. Being able to see the 10 Commandments movie set is amazing. The Center has done a great job recreating them. Definitely worth the trip. read more

The Dunes Center "Trees of the Season" was an absolute blast. Great to see docents care the way they do about the dunes and the history!