 | Los Osos Oaks Park Brochure |

Los Osos
Oaks
State Natural Reserve
Our Mission
The mission of California State Parks is
to provide for the health, inspiration and
education of the people of California by helping
to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological
diversity, protecting its most valued natural and
cultural resources, and creating opportunities
for high-quality outdoor recreation.
At the beginning of the
park trail, traffic noise from
the busy road dominates.
Penetrating deeper into the
park, these sounds diminish
and give way to birds singing,
California State Parks supports equal access.
Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who
need assistance should contact the park at
(805) 772-7434. This publication is available
in alternate formats by contacting:
CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS
P.O. Box 942896
Sacramento, CA 94296-0001
For information call: (800) 777-0369
(916) 653-6995, outside the U.S.
711, TTY relay service
www.parks.ca.gov
Discover the many states of California.™
Los Osos Oaks State Natural Reserve
Los Osos Valley Road
Los Osos, CA 93402
(805)772-7434 or 772-2694
http://www.slostateparks.com/los_osos_oaks
© 2002 California State Parks (Rev. 2011)
water trickling and wind
rustling through the oaks.
os Osos Oaks State Natural Reserve
protects a 90-acre grove of dwarfed,
800-year-old coast live oaks in an ancient
dune habitat. This centuries-old oak
woodland protects an unusual variety of
plants, animals and biotic communities.
The moss-draped, fantastically gnarled
trees enchant hikers and visitors.
This Central Coast park is eight miles
west of San Luis Obispo and five miles
east of Morro Bay.
Photo courtesy of Nick Stavros
park history
The First Inhabitants
The ancestors of today’s Chumash and
Salinan people inhabited the area now
encompassed by the natural reserve for
thousands of years, adapting to climatic
and environmental changes. The earliest
residents traveled from the coast to the
interior valleys and back.
They subsisted on
fish and shellfish found
along the coast as well
as small and large game,
waterfowl, grasses and
seeds found inland.
Clothing, shelter and
tools were fashioned
using resources available
in the immediate area.
Goods that could not be
procured or produced
locally were obtained
through extensive
trade networks.
Photo courtesy of Nick Stavros
L
Los Osos
When Gaspar de Portolá’s expedition
passed through this valley in 1769, the party
spotted many California grizzly bears—osos
in Spanish. The valley then became known
as Cañada de Los
Osos. In 1772, most
of the grizzlies
were killed for
food to keep the
people living at
the Carmel mission
from starving.
Coast live oak and dune oak scrub
Saving the Oaks
Oak woodlands
were once
widespread along
the California coast,
but most fell victim
to clearing, grazing,
Gnarled coast live oak
firewood cutting and development. A
campaign was launched in 1971 to preserve
these 90 acres of trees as a state reserve.
On June 29, 1972—thanks to the Small
Wilderness Area Preservation Foundation
and grants from Dart Industries, Inc. and
the Federal Land and Water Conservation
Fund—the grove was purchased and
turned over to California State Parks.
natural history
The year-round climate is mild, with winter
temperatures from 50 degrees to the low
60s and summer temperatures ranging
from 65 to 70 degrees.
Vegetation
Five major plant communities exist within
the natural reserve.
Coast live oak woodland—These ancient
trees grow in areas with high soil moisture.
The natural reserve paths lead visitors
through a protected coast live oak grove.
Docent-led walking tour
Great
The closed-canopy forest has
horned owl
multi-trunked trees 20 to 25
feet high. Their twisted
trunks and branches may have
lichens and mosses hanging
above a sparse understory of
miner’s lettuce, bracken fern
and hummingbird sage.
Dune oak scrub—The smaller,
6- to 8-foot live oak trees in the
natural reserve are stunted due to
mineral depletion, sandy soil, lack of
moisture and location.
Coastal sage scrub—Dense, highly
branched, semi-woody shrubs include
California sagebrush, black sage, holly-leaf
cherry, mock heather and coast buckwheat.
Riparian woodland—Streamside areas at
Los Osos Creek feature such tree species
as sycamore, arroyo willow, red willow and
black cottonwood. Western dogwood and
stinging nettle thrive where riparian trees
are sparse.
Central coastal scrub—Shallow, rocky
soils grow dense-crowned shrubs from
three to six feet high. Sticky bush
monkeyflower and rash-causing poison
oak thrive here.
Wildlife
Coast live oak woodland provides food
and shelter for many birds, mammals and
insects. More wildlife is visible in spring
and fall. The hour after sunrise and the
hour before sunset are optimal times for
viewing wildlife.
Birds in the grove include acorn
woodpeckers, Anna’s and Allen’s
hummingbirds, western
flycatchers, Northern flickers,
California thrashers and
California towhees. Mourning
doves and Brewer’s blackbirds
are common grassland species.
Red-tailed hawks, American kestrels,
barn owls and great horned owls find
their prey in these coastal habitats.
Resident mammals include
the dusky-footed wood rat, California
pocket mouse, striped skunk, gray fox,
bobcat, coyote and opossum.
Dragonflies, butterflies and other
insects serve as food for reptiles and
amphibians such as Pacific tree frogs,
western skinks, Southern alligator lizards
and western fence lizards.
recreation
The easy, flat unpaved trail system covers
about 1½ miles. Hiking trail, program,
event and reserve details can be found at
www.slostateparks.com.
Nearby State Parks
Morro Strand State Beach
Two miles north of Morro Bay
on Highway 1 (805) 772-7434
• Morro Bay State Park
State Park Road, Morro Bay 93442
(805) 772-7434, featuring
Morro Bay State Park Museum
of Natural History (805) 772-2694
• Montaña de Oro State Park
3550 Pecho Valley Road, Los Osos 93402
(805) 528-0513 or (805) 772-7434
•
Please Remember
• Except for service animals,
pets are not permitted.
• The park is open only during
daylight hours.
• Fires and smoking are
not allowed.
• Bicycles and equestrians are
not permitted.
• The reserve has
no restrooms,
telephones or
facilities for camping
or picnicking.
• Poison oak is a natural part
of the area. Learn to
recognize and avoid it.
This park is supported in part
through a nonprofit group. For
more information, contact:
Central Coast
Natural History Association
20 State Park Road
Morro Bay, CA 93442
(805) 772-2694 • www.ccnha.org
Accessible Features
Some visitors with limited
mobility can negotiate the
gentle terrain, but wheelchair
access may be impeded by
soft, sandy soil.