If you’re looking for some fun things to do near San Luis Obispo, then going to Los Osos Oaks State Reserve should be on your list! It’s a beautiful little 90-acre park that is only 20 minutes from San Luis Obispo’s city center and is perfect for taking a short hike. You’ll feel like you’ve walked straight into an enchanted forest!
What to Expect at Los Osos Oaks State Reserve
This state park is a beautiful, shady place to enjoy hiking (or simply wandering and walking). It is covered in coast live oak trees that are hundreds of years old! I’m not kidding, they’re at least 800 years old. 🤯 When you first step onto the trails you will see these oak trees towering over you with their branches gnarled and twisted and looking straight out of a scene from Snow White.
Besides the oak trees, you can also experience some other native California plant communities including coastal sage scrub and riparian woodland. These native environments are important to protect, conserve, and enjoy both here and in places like San Diego’s Bayside Trail where city development means there is less space for these vulnerable plant communities to thrive!
Hiking in Los Osos Oaks Reserve
The Los Osos Oaks trail starts out near a busy road, so you hear quite a bit of traffic at the start. But as you go in deeper, you soon find yourself in an enchanted wonderland that seems far away from the outside world. The further in you go the more you really do start to expect fairytale characters with helpful woodland creatures bouncing along at their heels!
Everywhere you turn, moss swings from the trees and vines curl alongside the path. Old logs from old oak trees sprout up into different gnarled patterns, giving the impression of fantasy creatures and I swear one of the logs even looks like the Loch Ness monster!
One plant that grows here and isn’t friendly is poison oak, so be sure to watch out for it. You’ll also want to make sure you learn how to spot poison oak before you go so you don’t accidentally touch it! You shouldn’t really have an issue if you keep your eyes open along the way and, of course, stay on the trail.
Another exciting feature of this park is that there’s lots of diverse wildlife to see. From mice, to rabbits, to squirrels, lizards, and birds (maybe even including quail from time to time)…you will certainly enjoy your day out exploring this woodland gem.
While the trail isn’t particularly well marked to follow, the park area is small enough that you don’t really have to worry about getting lost and you can pretty easily figure it out. There are actually three trails here—the Loop Trail, Oak View Trail, and Los Osos Creek Trail—but they all kind of loop in together and all end up at the same one entrance leading in and out of the park, so you’ll find your way out eventually. 😉 All in all, the trails only cover about 1.5 miles.
So if you decide to visit Los Osos Oaks, enjoy your journey wandering through this beautiful natural spot. If you like, you could even pack a picnic lunch and pick a spot to sit and listen to the silence and the birds and stare up through the tree tops to the blue sky and shimmering sun! But no matter how you explore, you are sure to enjoy your trip to this gorgeous enchanted forest.
Tips for Visiting Los Osos Oaks State Reserve
Here are a few FAQ and things you may want to know before you go!
How to get to Los Osos Oaks State Reserve?
As mentioned earlier, Los Osos Oaks is on the central coast of California only about 20 minutes from San Luis Obispo. If you want to get driving directions, you can find the location here.
Is there parking nearby?
Yes, there is free parking! You can find the little parking lot just off Los Osos Valley Road here.
How to navigate the park and trails?
The trails aren’t very well marked in this park, but it is pretty small so you shouldn’t really have any issues if you’re just happy wandering and seeing what you find. All the trails converge and the only way in and out of the hiking area is on the trail located across from Palomino Drive. But I know that this sort of wandering doesn’t work for everyone!
So if you’re looking for a map to follow, then sometimes you may be able to find a few free ones at the trailhead to take along with you. Or, if you prefer, you can always download this pamphlet and map before you go.
What facilities are at the park?
The park is small and only open during daylight hours, and unfortunately there are really no facilities here. There are no restrooms, telephones, or areas for camping or picnicking. (Although that shouldn’t stop you from bringing your own picnic supplies and enjoying a picnic along one of the wider portions of trail!)
Are bikes allowed?
Unfortunately, bikes (and horses) are not allowed. Pets are also not allowed here either, unless they are a service animal.
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