Montaña de Oro

https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=592 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monta%C3%B1a_de_Oro_State_Park Montaña de Oro ("Mountain of Gold" in Spanish) is a state park in California, United States. The park is located six miles southwest of Morro Bay and 2 miles south of Los Osos. The name "Mountain of Gold" comes from the golden wildflowers found in the park. It has 8,000 acres (32 km²) of cliffs, sandy beaches, coastal plains, streams, canyons, and hills, including the 1,347-foot (411 m) Valencia Peak. The park has many hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian trails, as well as a campground located across from Spooner’s Cove, a popular beach. The Bluff Trail is an easy and popular trail along the scenic coast. Trails lead to the summits of Valencia Peak, Oats Peak, and Hazard Peak.

With over 8000 acres, including seven miles of shoreline, Montaña de Oro is one of the largest state parks in California. Spectacular views, fresh breezes, and the sound of the pounding surf add up to invigorating, memorable visits. More than half a million people visit Montaña de Oro each year because it offers a wonderful setting for outdoor activities everyone can enjoy like hiking, jogging, bicycling, horse back riding, camping, and surfing. You can explore the tide pools, watch for birds, look for plants and wildflowers, go surf fishing, or just sit and admire the scenery. There are picnic tables at Spooner’s Cove, and miles of clean, sandy beaches. MONTANA DE ORO - Today If you plan to hike, ride your horse or mountain bike in the park, please remember: The predominant rock found in the park is Miguelito Shale. These formations are about 5 to 6 million years old. Formerly ancient sea floor, it is composed of mudstone deposited millions of years ago when tiny fragments of once-living organisms drifted to the bottom of the sea and mixed with silt and sand. The mud solidified into thick layers of diatomite, clay porcellanite, dolomite, and chert. Near the unstable western coast of this continent the Pacific Plate grinds against the North American Plate. This action has buckled and tilted the sedimentary layers, raising them out of the sea. Over time, erosion and wave action turned them into a sloping beach. The level of the ocean also changed as ice ages came and went. This process has been repeated several times over the past five to ten million years. You can see the successive marine terraces (former beaches) as you hike on the present bluff or climb the slopes of Valencia Peak. The northern part of the park is a gigantic sand-pile. Ancient sand dunes are revealed in the bluffs at the south end of the sand spit, and you can walk for miles along the long finger of sand that separates the ocean and the Morro Bay estuary. Exploring Montaña de Oro on Your Own All camping reservations: 1-800-444-7275 Ranger Headquarters: 805-528-0513 Emergency: 9-1-1 Important phone numbers You can find camping and park information at the park headquarters in the old Spooner Ranch House, located just above Spooner’s Cove. State Park docents staff a visitor center there which is open daily during the summer months and Thursday through Sunday the rest of the year. Information For those interested in the natural history of the park, rangers give programs during the summer. Docent-led walks are also given year-round. The interpretive garden south of the Ranch House identifies many of the park’s plants. Nature Programs For at least nine thousand years the ancestors of today’s Chumash and Salinan people inhabited the San Luis Obispo county coast, adapting as needed to climatic and environmental changes. They lived in small extended family groups, traveling from the coast to the interior valleys and back to procure their diet of fish and shellfish, small and large game, waterfowl, grasses, and seeds. Shelter, tools and clothing were fashioned using resources available in the immediate area, and what could not be obtained or produced locally was provided through extensive trade networks. In 1769, the first European overland expedition, led by Don Gaspar de Portolá, an emissary of the Spanish government, made its way up the coast of California from San Diego to Monterey. The expedition made inroads for Spanish missionaries who followed closely behind, precipitating sudden, drastic and irrevocable changes to the landscape and lifeways of the indigenous people. In 1772, only three years after the Portolá expedition came through Alta California, Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa was established only a few miles from what is now Montaña de Oro State Park. Many of the indigenous people were taken into the mission system, leaving behind their settlements, and adopting new means of subsistence in the agricultural practices of the mission. Their population was decimated through disease and violence and long standing cultural traditions were practiced only in secret. Camping • Dogs are not permitted on any trails, beaches or undeveloped areas. • Stay on designated trails. Mountain bikers should use only those trails marked for bicycles and equestrians only those trails marked for horses. Violators can be cited. • You may camp overnight only in designated areas and with prior registration. • Take water with you on any hike that lasts more than one hour. Be prepared to stay longer than you may have intended. • Poison oak grows throughout the park. MONTANA DE ORO - The way it was A primitive campground in the canyon behind the Spooner Ranch House offers 47 campsites for tents, trailers, or motorhomes. The vehicle length limit for all trailers and motorhomes is 27 feet. Tables, firepits, drinking water, and primitive toilets are nearby. There are no showers or dump stations. Some campers may prefer the walk-in environmental campsit

Montaña de Oro State Park Islay Creek Campground 3550 Pecho Valley Rd.• Los Osos, CA 93402 • (805) 528-0513 This park features rugged cliffs, secluded sandy beaches, coastal plains, streams, canyons, and hills, including 1,347-foot Valencia Peak. Naturalists and backpackers enjoy the solitude and freedom found along the park’s trails, which include mountain biking and equestrian trails. PARK FEES: Use the self-pay station within 30 minutes after your arrival to pay for your campsite or to check-in your reservation. Camping fees include one vehicle and one legally towed vehicle or trailer. Additional fees apply to extra vehicles, including motorcycles. VEHICLE PARKING: No more than three licensed vehicles per campsite (four for motorcycles). Trailers count as vehicles when counting for the three vehicle limit. Vehicles parked in campsites must be entirely on the pavement. At least one registered vehicle occupying an ADA site must display a disabled placard or have a disabled license plate. There is no overflow parking anywhere in the park. Free day-use parking is available in front of the Spooner’s Ranch House Visitors Center from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. TRAILERS/RVS: The maximum length for vehicles is 27 ft. CHECK-OUT TIME is noon. Please vacate your site by that time. Check-in time is 2 p.m. OCCUPANCY: Eight people MAXIMUM are allowed per campsite. SPEED LIMIT: The maximum speed limit is 15 mph. When pedestrians are present, even 15 mph might be too fast. Use good judgment. COIN-OPERATED SHOWERS are located at Morro Bay State Park Campground. Present your receipt to the kiosk staff for free entry into campground. QUIET HOURS are from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. All radios and other sound-producing devices must be turned off. To ensure an enjoyable experience for everyone, please do not disturb other campers, regardless of the time of day or night. Radios and other soundproducing devices must not be audible beyond your immediate campsite. GENERATORS may only be operated between the hours of 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. FIRES/FIREWOOD: Fires are only allowed in fire rings provided. Collecting dead or downed wood is prohibited. Firewood is available for sale at the camp host site (campsite 22). All fireworks are prohibited. BEACH: No camping, fires, or vehicles are permitted on the beach. FISHING regulations are available at www.dfg.ca.gov. ALCOHOL and glass containers are allowed in your campsite and on the beach. Please use the trash and recycling receptacles for cans and bottles. TRASH: Cigarettes, paper, boxes, bottles, ashes, and other rubbish must be placed in designated receptacles. Please clean up after yourself so that others may enjoy the beauty of this park. DOGS are permitted in campsites and on park roads and must be on a six-foot maximum leash held by an adult. Except for service animals, dogs are NOT ALLOWED on the trails or beach, except for Spooner’s Cove beach. Dogs may not be left alone in the campsite and must be kept in a tent or vehicle at night. Please pick up after your pet. BICYCLE, skateboard, and scooter riders under the age of 18 are required by state law to wear a safety helmet. Mopeds and motorized scooter operators must be 16 years of age or older and licensed according to state laws. DAY-USE AREA offers beach access, restrooms, barbecues, and picnic tables. Day-use parking is in front of Spooner’s Ranch House and along the bluffs above Spooner’s Cove. Day-use parking is from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. WILDLIFE: Wildlife is in abundance at Montaña de Oro State Park. Secure food during the night and when not at your campsite. Do not leave pets unattended. Watch for rattlesnakes during warm weather. NOTE: All natural and cultural features are protected by law and may not be disturbed or removed. Discover the many states of California.TM CAMPING RESERVATIONS: You may make camping reservations by calling (800) 444-7275 (TTY 800-274-7275). To make online reservations, visit our website at www.parks.ca.gov. ALTERNATE FORMAT: If you need this publication in an alternate format, contact interp@parks.ca.gov. Montaña de Oro State Park Islay Creek Campground Your space # _____________ 6 5 SPOONER’S COVE BEACH Reservoir Flats Trail To Los Osos (4 miles) 4 Road Valley Ocean 2 3 21 20 15 19 18 17 16 14 8 7 5 11 13 9 40 50 49 46 43 41 42 47 45 44 27 24 6 4 48 28 23 22 Pecho Pacific 1 34 30 25 3 33 32 26 2 39 38 31 Spooner’s Ranch House 37 36 35 LEGEND # Accessible Campsite Accessible Feature 10 Campfire Center 12 Camp Host Firewood Sales Holloway Garden 1 # Numbered Restrooms Parking Ranger Station Visitor Center Restrooms Trail Bluff Trail Valencia Peak Trail © 2013 California State Parks (Rev. 2015) Water Faucets For Emergencies Dial 911.