[upflying]

Make sure you drive your new OB on the dunes at Pismo Beach, only legal place I know of where you can drive in the sand and enjoy camping next to the the ocean.
Website says this area is now called Oceano.
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=406

 

[upflying]

thanks, but I do not think I am going to be too stoked on taking a fully loaded down OB with a loaded cargo box on the roof into soft sand!

A lot of the beach is hard pack, just don't go too far into the dunes you will be fine.
You can always turn around.