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Montaña de Oro State Park, Los Osos, CA

Photo: BorisFromStockdale, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

Sports & Outdoors

Montaña de Oro State Park

A large coastal state park west of San Luis Obispo with cliffs, sandy beaches, coastal plains, and trails for hiking and biking.

Islay Creek Campground, Pecho Valley Road, Los Osos, CA 93402 · Los Osos, CA

About Montaña de Oro State Park

This state park sits about 15 miles west of San Luis Obispo and covers rugged bluffs, quiet sandy coves, open coastal grassland, streams, canyons, and hills. Visitors come for hiking, beach time, mountain biking, wildlife watching, horseback riding, camping, and tide pooling. A historic ranch house, the Spooner Ranch House, serves as the visitor center and gives a look at early 1900s family life. The park's name refers to the golden wildflowers that appear in spring. The Islay Creek Campground and a separate horse camp provide overnight options.

  • #coastal
  • #beaches
  • #hiking
  • #mountain biking
  • #camping

What's around here?

The closest stops to Montaña de Oro State Park, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Sports & Outdoors

    Morro Bay State Park

    Under $25

    Coastal state park on a bay lagoon, known for Morro Rock, volcanic peaks, birdwatching, and a natural history museum.

    6.1 mi awayMore like this

  • Tours
    Outdoor Adventure

    Sub Sea Tours & Kayaks

    $25–$50

    A Morro Bay outfitter for kayak, paddleboard and canoe rentals plus whale watching and glass bottom harbor cruises.

    Transit: reachable by public transit

    7.0 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Sports & Outdoors

    Morro Strand State Beach

    Check prices

    A three-mile coastal state beach on Estero Bay with dunes, tidepools, and views of Morro Rock.

    7.7 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    History Buff

    Point San Luis Lighthouse

    $25–$50

    A restored 1890 lighthouse above San Luis Obispo Bay, reached by guided van or kayak tour from Avila Beach.

    9.2 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Eat & Drink
    Foodie Favorite

    Nicola

    $25–$50

    A San Luis Obispo restaurant serving Bachiche cooking, the Italian and Peruvian blend, from ceviche to wood-fired pizza.

    Transit: reachable by public transit

    9.6 mi awaySwitch it up: Eat & Drink

  • Sports & Outdoors
    Local Gem

    Pirate's Cove Beach

    No admission fee

    A small cove beach reached by a coastal bluff trail near Avila Beach on California's Central Coast.

    9.8 mi awayMore like this

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