Most of the wildflowers, shrubs, and grasses found on the dunes are fragile and can be easily damaged or destroyed. Plants that are native to the area include the arroyo willow, California sagebrush, sand verbena, and brush lupine. European beach grass is an introduced species, brought in around the turn of the century to stabilize the dunes. European beach grass is an unwelcome dune resident as it crowds out native plant species. Rare or unusual plants that may be seen here include surf thistle and giant coreopsis.
Dune vegetation is fragile and is easily destroyed by vehicular traffic.
Vegetation breaks the force of the wind and helps to keep the sand from blowing away. Vegetation provide food, shelter and nest sites for many animals. Vegetated areas are generally closed to vehicular traffic, but there are some exceptions. Closed areas are signed or fenced. Don't blaze trails through vegetation.