Pecho Valley Road

Baywood-Los Osos, California, United States

With eighteen acres at the end of Monarch Lane in Los Osos, the Monarch Grove Natural Area offers plenty of habitat to explore. With the help of a retired Cal Poly biology professor, this Monarch butterfly lookout continues to provide a welcome home to visiting Monarchs. The Monarch Grove Natural Area can be found in the Monarch Grove Homes development, just off Pecho Valley Road in Los Osos. From Los Osos Valley Road, turn right on Monarch Lane, just where the road forks left toward Montaña de Oro State Park. Turn right on Del Norte to the Sea Pines Golf Course. Park at the golf course and follow signs to the Monarch Grove Natural Area.

Baywood-Los Osos

Baywood-Los Osos, California, United States

Part of the Cow Parade public art exhibit currently staged in over seventy-five cities/towns, the Udderly Osos cow installation is always open to the public for all to experience. The statue is part of Cow Parade SLO, wherein 101 life-sized, 120-pound fiberglass bovine-inspired works were installed around the Central Coast area. This bear-themed cow harkens back to Los Osos’ name, which translates from Spanish as “The Bear.” Visitors should note the wreath of Monarch Butterflies fluttering about the animal’s ears (a nod to the nearby Monarch Butterfly Preserve), California poppies growing around its rear haunches and the paddle and paddleboard incorporated into the design. Crafted by father-and-son team Dave and Kyle Doust, you can view this impressive creature at the Back Bay Cafe, located at 1399 2nd Street in Los Osos.

660 Ramona Ave
Baywood-Los Osos, CA

If you didn't know it was there, this lovely, peaceful nature preserve would be easy to miss. Located at the meeting of freshwater run-off and the saltwater ocean, the Sweet Springs Nature Preserve is a jewel of natural Los Osos. At 32 acres, the preserve is owned by the Morro Coast Audubon Society and includes hiking trails, interpretive signs, footbridges, and memorial benches. Local and migratory birds, as well as many other wildlife species, favor these saltwater marsh wetlands, the cypresses, pines and eucalyptus trees. This bayside forest offers views of Morro Rock in the distance, and even plays host to a congregation of migratory Monarch Butterflies.

3550 Pecho Valley Rd
San Luis Obispo County, CA

With 7 miles of coastline, this state park is a tide pooler’s dream. While the park boasts several wonderful places to tide pool, the easiest and most accessible is Spooner’s Cove. Here, rocks and channels house snails, limpets and barnacles, especially visible at low tide. In the shallowest and most protected tide pools, look for anemones, crabs and other smaller creatures. Another reliable tide pooling spot is at the end of the Hazard Reef Trail, which ends at the rocky shore. Crabs are especially plentiful here, as are anemones, mollusks, sea stars, and other treasures. Likewise, Corallina Cove hides orange, yellow and purple sea stars, turban snails and green sea lettuce among its crevices. These are some of the most fruitful tide pools along Highway 1, teeming with life and accessible just beyond the roadway. Tiptoe along the ridges of rocks, developed there over thousands of years, and discover the many creatures that call them home.

3550 Pecho Valley Rd
San Luis Obispo County, CA

Beautiful hikes of many types. While we can't say that MDO is a hidden secret, the park does contain many. Few areas include such a diversity of landscapes as Montaña de Oro, a state park located in Los Osos. Tucked along the shoreline at the southern end of Estero Bay, this 8,000-acre state park is one of California’s largest. From eucalyptus groves to wildflowers, tidepools to towering dune mountains, Montaña de Oro always offers more to discover. Hike one of multiple trails here, like the serene Bluff Trail that takes in the coastline, or the challenging Valencia Peak trail, which summits at 1,347 feet. Or take your mountain bike out for a spin on the Hazard Peak trail, which travels a total of 11 miles and includes dramatic ocean views. Spend a morning down at Corallina Cove watching hermit crabs, sea stars, urchins and anemones in their miniature tidepool worlds. Take your kayak and your fishing rig out at Spooner’s Cove to catch your dinner—or just drop a line amongst the rocks at Hazard Canyon Reef. And if you’re a well-seasoned surfer? Paddle out at Sandspit, Spooner’s Cove, or Hazards for one-of-a-kind waves, best tackled by advanced surfers. Wildlife, history, views, sunbathing, and much more await the curious visitor at this generous state park.