Easy Walks on California's Central Coast

   Bluff Trail - Montaña de Oro St. Park - Los Osos, Ca, Round trip 3.4 miles. The Bluff Trail is an
                easy walk along one of the most spectacular locations on the Central Coast.  Reefs, tidepools,
                sea mammals, wildflowers, & numerous species of land and sea birds. April through July look
                for the Pigeon Guillemot, a plump black and white sea bird that nests in the cliffs.
                Getting There: From Hwy 101 take Los Osos Valley Road west 12.5 mi. to the Montana de
                Oro State Park entrance.  Continue through park 2.7 miles to the Bluff Trail Head.

                             Need A Map?  Go To   -   http://maps.google.com/
   El Moro Elfin Forest Natural Area, Los Osos.
                From So. Bay Blvd. take Santa Ysabel west to 16th, turn north toward bay. A one mile boardwalk
                meanders through a 90 acre coastal dune natural area. Two overlooks afford excellent views of the
                bay.  Year round residents include Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Song & White-crowned Sparrow,
                Scrub Jay, California Quail, Anna's Hummingbird, Ca. Thrasher, Ca. & Spotted Towhee, Winter
                migrants - - Brant Goose, American Wigeon, Green & Blue-winged Teal, Avocet, Ruddy Duck,
                Bufflehead, Scaup, Pintail, Yellowlegs, Tern, White Pelican, and a variety of shore birds.

   Embarcadero - Morro Bay, Ca -  Round trip 3.2 miles. Embarcadero meanders along the Morro Bay
                 waterfront.  Shops and a variety of dining establishments await the casual strollers exploration. 
                 Tidelands Park at the southern end of Embarcadero Rd. has barbecues, a delightful playground,
                 & a public pier.  The 576 ft. Morro Rock can be seen from Tidelands Park.
                 Getting There: From north 101 take Hwy 1 to Morro Bay.  Take Morro Bay turn off.  Continue
                 south.  Embarcadero Rd. is at the west end of Morro Bay Blvd.

   Islay Creek  - Montaña de Oro St. Park - Los Osos, Ca, Round trip 4 miles. The trail is flat &
                wide for the 2 mi.  To your right is the lush riparian vegetation of Islay Creek. Look & listen for
                Common Yellow-throat, Wilson's Warbler. On the south facing hillside, California Towhee, 
                Bushtit, White & Golden-crowned Sparrow, and Flicker.  Good for spring  wildflowers.
                Getting There: From Hwy 101 take Los Osos Valley Road west 12.5 mi. to Montaña de Oro
                St. Park entrance. Continue through park 2.4. miles to the Islay Creek Trail Head on left.

   Los Osos Oaks State Reserve - Los Osos, Ca, Round trip 1-1/2 easy miles.  90-acre grove of
               dwarfed, 800-year-old Coast Live Oak, in an ancient dune habitat.  Explore the cool, quiet
               surroundings of the lichen-draped and gnarled trees; let their enchantment surround you. 
               Watch for poison oak! - Getting There: From 101 take Los Osos west about 10 mi.
               Parking on left.  For Information on poison-oak - http://morro-bay.com/poison-oak   
 
   Marina Spit - Morro Bay, Ca, Round trip 3/4 mile. An easy trail leads around the point. Across from the
               point is the State Park Museum of Natural History and Nature Store. On the north side of the spit is
               the Morro Bay Estuary. This area is known for excellent bird watching.  Most easily seen birds are,
               Great Blue Heron, Snowy and Great Egret, Double-crested Cormorant, Osprey, & Red-tailed Hawk.
               Getting There: From 101 take Hwy 1 to Los Osos turn off. Take So. Bay Blvd into Morro Bay St.
               Park. Estuary will be on left. Entrance to the State Park Marina is across from the entrance to
               Morro Bay St, Park Campground.  Turn left. Trail starts at eastern end of the parking area.

                                                                                                              photography by J.A.Cory