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Montana de Oro State Park
Rating Details »
3550 Pecho Valley Road
Los Osos, CA 93402
(805) 528-0513
Los Osos, CA 93402
(805) 528-0513
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
20 reviews for Montana de Oro State Park
STAY AWAY!
DON'T GO!
If you are the type of riff-raff that likes to make noise, go to the city!!!
I LOVED my weekend here!!!
(5.15.09-5.17.09)
HIGHLIGHTS:
***Kayaking.
Launching my kayak from Spooner Cove!!! Protected, peaceful, easy surf launch and landing, with nice big swells to ride. It was calm enough on these 3 days to head out into the great big blue and check out other coves. It can get pretty rough at a moments notice so be prepared!
***Coastal Hiking.
Wow, what can be better than a hike along the coast? Hiking at sunrise and watching the fog roll long the ridges. Amazing!!!
***Camping.
Quiet campground with a super-sweet campground hosts and the kindest ranger "Ranger Phil". Thanks Ranger Phill for all you info! Friendly campers (except for the grumpy drunk at the campsite next to us).
***Watching the sunset at Spooner Cove.
Wow, what a treat. First night just chilled on a bluff with a chilled beer. The sunset was glorious and the beach was dotted with happy sunset-watchers. Second night did some sunset kayaking in the cove while waiting for the "fine young man" to bring dinner http://www.yelp.com/bi... and agian, another wonderful sunset.
***Watching the Sunrise at Spooner Cove.
It doesn't get better than this! After a night on the beach (shhh, don't tell anyone) watching a ton of shooting stars, we woke to the bright light of the 1/2 moon, and sat snuggled up watching the colors change on the water, the sand, and the cliffs.
This is really a beautiful spot!
Please take care of it when you come to visit.
Please be considerate to your fellow campers.
and Please remember to Leave no Trace http://www.lnt.org/
Enjoy!
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Do not camp here! There are absolutely no signs.. we only found where the sites were because a ranger happened to drive past us and told us they were "behind a white house". Usually it's extremely simple to find the camping area. The sites were on top of one another, with no privacy. No fires allowed, although these wasn't mentioned anywhere online. No ranger on site- we only found the one guy because he was closing up an area that is off limits after dark. We tried calling the phone number for the park and it just led to a recording. Called a nearby park and they said people call them all the time since no one answers the Montana de Oro phone.
You'd be better off at Motel 6. Which is where we ended :(
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The area itself was beautiful, so if you're looking for a place to spend a day this park is nice. The problem we had was that we reserved a spot for camping online, but when we got to the park the campground was nowhere to be found. No signs and nobody in sight to ask for help. We did find the horse camp and that area looked nice enough. We tried both numbers listed on the website, one nobody answered and the other was for a different campsite. We eventually did find a ranger who was very nice and helped us find the site (down an unmarked driveway), but by that time the sun had gone down and we didn't have enough light to put up a tent (no campfires allowed and we couldn't drive the car up to the camp site). After wasting a few frustrating hours we gave up and found a cheap motel.
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Breathe taking views and tide pools await you at this state park. Originally, this stretch of the Central Coast was planted with exotic trees from Australia which were to be used for railroad tracks. Too bad the rich fool imported Eucalyptus trees, which are flammable and thus not suited for railroads. This arboreal farm was abandoned and claimed by the state department. The Eucalyptus trees still remain today and if you look closely, you can see the linear pattern they were originally planted along.
Locals come here for their brisk walks along the cliffs, so watch out for granny - she's working out and just wants to pass you. Drive to the end and park. From here follow one of the many paths along the bluffs until you make your way down to the beach. Here you will find dozens of tidal pools full of colorful marine creatures.
The park also offers many other services like camping sites, hiking on Mt. Valencia, and kayak rentals.
Good for a relaxing change from the hectic schedule back at home. Come here to take your mind off life's everyday worries.
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If you are looking for great views of the Pacific take the Los Osos Valey road all the way till you get to a dead end. There you will find a fence owned by Pacific Gas and Electric. The general public is now allowed to hike on the tails on there property. Defiantly worth the hike.
UMM THIS PLACE ROCKS! We used to take a case of Mickey's 40's a snowboard, skis, boogie boards, etc and spend ALL DAY kickin' it in the sun, and running up and down the dunes - sliding down on afforementioned boards/skis. GOOD FUN and absolutley stunning views.
Probably the best I've encountered on the central coast thus far (a close 2nd being sunsets at pirate's cove)
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This is a great place to spend a day.
First, they have a small rocky beach, which is fine if you just want to relax, and a huge rock that people often go climbing on (people... as in not me, to my eternal shame. I'm just too short!)
There is also a lovely trail that goes along the sea which has occasional trails down to the ocean and tide-pools with shells and starfish.
You can also hike the mountain in the park, which is quite the climb. Remember to bring water, since there isn't much shade. The peak is quite the reward, though; you have views of the ocean and Los Osos.
Beautiful area; you'll keep coming again and again.
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Montana de Oro is a beautiful park. It's one of those places that I always dragged out of towners when I lived in SLO. Plus, I was new to the state and was drawn in by the pretty ocean scenes.
I went camping here once with my job and it was okay considering I hate camping. However, the raccoons are afraid of nothing and they kept touching my head (through the tent) throughout the night. I didn't really like that.
They have no flush toilets. Those of you that know me know that that's a HUGE issue for me. Also, there's no running water so take plenty of hand sanitizer. Or be dirty. I guess it's cool if you're into dirty.
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I'd give it something closer to 3.5 stars, mainly due to lack of activies with dogs. However, in spite of that, this is a nice little state park located right near San Luis Obispo. It's right along the beach so there is lots of hiking, backpacking, and mountain biking around. There also seems to be surfing, diving, and snorkeling although in my opinion the water is freezing and you'd be nuts to do more than wade around in it. For car camping, your far enough to get away from it all, but close enough to modern conveniences to refill your cooler ;). The views are fantastic, as are almost all views along the 101 when it winds along the coast south of SLO.
The campgrounds are relatively clean, but a lot of them are wide open and there isn't much tree cover to keep the sun out. However, it's a short 5 minute walk to a nice beach and cove. Also, people don't like cleaning up after their pets. What the hell is up with that? Clean up your dog crap for christ's sakes.
One gripe, and this kind of goes to almost all state parks in California. Dogs, even dogs on leash, are restricted to developed areas only. This pretty much means just campgrounds and roads. Yay, how exciting (note sarcasm). So, don't expect to turn a trip with your dog here to an outdoor adventure. However, if you just want to car camp and plan on lounging around and knocking back some quality beer, I wouldn't mind setting camp here.
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A plus/delta/solution for Montana de Oro State Park.
Pluses:
Environmental camp sites
Remote location
Relatively clean trails and camp sites
Non-smelly "primitive" toilets
Spotting plenty of flora and fauna (deer, rabbits, wildflowers)
Deltas:
Spooner Cove rock erosion
Raccoons attacking our cooler
Solutions:
It was sad to read about the steady destruction of the rock in Spooner's Cove. Apparently, people like me (who didn't know it's being eroded), trample all over it to get nice views of the cove and slowly destroy the rock. I would have reconsidered had there been a sign to inform me about the erosion.
Raccoons. A little food lock box at the sites would have helped. Luckily, we were able to wedge the cooler under our picnic table. More warnings at trail heads could also help since we were unaware of the local fauna (raccoons, rattlesnakes, bobcats and mountain lions... oh my!)
My friends and I had a blast at Montana de Oro. For two of them it was their first camping trip ever. Our camp at site #4 (Deer Flat camp) was removed from the main campground, we could hear the waves crashing against the shore from 1/2 mile away, in addition to the occasional boat tooting its horn. The views provided spectacular sunsets and the new moon allowed us all to see the Milky Way after dark.
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My most favorite favorite favorite spot ever.
The fiance first took me here when we had just started out dating. We drove to the end of the park and walked down a sandy area to this hill that overlooked the entire ocean. Huge waves came in and were crashing along the cliffs, and it was probably one of the most beautiful sites I've ever seen. It's quiet and clean, with not a lot of people around. It's definitely my favorite place to reflect or spend time with a loved one.
Definitely stop by this park if you're in the area. I promise you that this place is worth a shot. If you love nature and love the beach as well, then you'll definitely fall in love with this place.
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This is a beautiful state park. The docent ranger at the ranger's station was incredibly helpful, and helped my boyfriend and I plan our day at the park. We did the hike along the bluffs, which was awesome, made slightly less so by the mountain bikes allowed on the trail. As for wildlife, we saw a sea otter, a starfish, and about a bazillion sea anemones & various things in shells and with wings.
I recommend stopping at the ranger station if you are there at peak times (I believe it's closed during the week except during the summer). They had free maps, information, etc. It's basically at the end of the road you enter the park on, after you drive through the dunes, the forest, etc, right before you reach the bluffs.
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Montana de Oro State Park was on the chopping block in the Governator's recent list of cutbacks. This made me go GAAAAAH! because my family and I have been camping here for Memorial Weekend for over 25 years. In fact, we've been going with family friends we've known since nursery school.
Montana de Oro is a wonderful place, not just for the memories. As I've grown older I've appreciated the park for its geography, flora and fauna rather than a fun place to hang with my peeps.
It's less than 2 hours drive from Santa Barbara, and maybe 30 minutes from SLO. Follow the chain of sand dunes from Morro Bay and you end up within the Park at these enormous dunes that are a workout to scramble up and heaps of fun to run down. Or sandboard down. Further along the chain you can see the restoration efforts for the Snowy Plover. Not just the birds themselves, but the sand and plants they need to grow in. These areas are roped off, with trails you can walk between. The ocean itself appears to have decent waves and a number of surfers. I would not recommend it for general swimming, the water is quite cold.
Then there's the hiking. Coon Creek is great for relatively level nature walking, with woodlands and little creeks to pass over. Understorey flora is really nice.
For those wanting to burn a little more, hike up Valencia Peak. It can be a slog for city-dwellers and upon reaching the top you'll feel a great sense of accomplishment and be rewarding with amazing views.
Finally, there's the ocean and bluffs with the flora and fauna that comes with it. Most people enjoy Spooner's Cove, with lovely big rocks and beach pebble that's great for skipping stones, but if you love tidepools, just wander along the bluffs for about 10 minutes and you're at Corralina Cove. Far less people, and really great tidepools filled with hermit crabs, sea anenomes, sea urchins and starfish. I cannot recommend swimming around the coves either, as the rocks can be dangerous and there is a very strong undertow. But kayaking is popular.
For parts of the year, the Park has open campsites, available by reservation. I've traditionally thought that dogs were not allowed, seeing how there are signs on the nature trails prohibiting dogs and also horseback riding in certain areas, but dogs are actually allowed in the campsite area provided they are on leash.
The camping here is more like "carping." Each campsite has space for two vehicles, so people tend to bring RVs and vans rather than pitch a tent. I'd say it's about 75% tent and 25% vehicle camping, and there's maybe 50 campsites spread between two driveway loops.
There are NO showers, NO hot water. You are responsible for all this. The toilet facilities have vastly improved over the years from porta-potties you could tip over, to decent wood structures that don't even smell unpleasant. But no flush, no running water. In this aspect, you have to rough it. I won't even get into the old story about the person found in one of the toilets.
Over time, people have befriended the animals, or left their garbage around, so the raccoons and birds are pretty well trained in breaking into and stealing your food. Just use common sense here, people. And stop voluntarily feeding them, too, or they'll...er, YOU'LL never learn. Attached to one end of the picnic table is a lockbox with shelves to store your gear. You need to bring your own lock. I remember when these were new, all nice and sturdy. Now they are weathered and some have holes in them, eaten away by animals. I simply store edibles in the car overnight.
Montana de Oro is just 5 miles away from civilization in Los Osos. It's amazing such raw beauty is so close by. But if you're desperate for a burger or a flushable toilet, it's just a few minutes drive away (try Sylvester's!)
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Paradise.
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I love Montana de Oro. There are so many beautiful spots to hike and mountain bike. There is a crazy winding road through which you have to drive to get in and out of the park, which you can also road bike. That is, if you have a death wish. There are a couple really cool beaches, too. Not for swimming, but for tide pooling and "rock climbing." "" Meaning that there is a huge rock ... on the beach ... that you can climb. Nothing special, no equipment needed. It is a really great place to take pictures and there are a few camping sites. Just note that it does get very windy at times and the fog will roll in and chill you to the bone, but if you are prepared Montana de Oro is the place for out door activities.
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I found this park, due to its high yelp rating, while visiting the central coast...and I spent the whole day on a diatribe about how lucky we are to have sources like yelp to clue us in to what we must visit when we are on vacation. Montana de Oro is truly a breathtaking place. We wandered along beaches, coastal cliffs, tide pools, fields of wild flowers, and peered out on magnificent vistas for hours. We greeted birds, lizards, and even a sea lion which swam right up to the beach to say hello. I highly recommend hiking through this park to anyone in the area as it does not disappoint.
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This is a secluded and protected environmental area-- its clean and free of noise pollution- just the waves crashing and the wind blowing across the dunes...lots of interesting flora and fauna for daytime hikes...Its the best kept secret from SLO county.
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We had booked Deer Flat (Environmental Site #4) - which is a hike in site. Not too far but it is uphill and exposed. We arrived only to discover that someone was already set up in our campsite. Tents and stuff but no people. So do we haul our stuff down the hill again to go in search of a ranger (no one had been at the station) or what? So BF went down to the car to search for a ranger while I attempted to call a ranger. Calling the park listing amounted to a recording with no where to leave a message. So I then called non-emergency police in SLO which transferred me to the Sheriff's office who then in turn transferred me to a ranger in Morro Bay. Lucky for me - he knew the site so confirmed we were at the right place and said he would call the park host. BF returns and he had found the park host and she said she would contact a ranger to remove their stuff. About an hour later (we had been there over 2 hours at this point) - the ranger comes and we help break down these people's stuff. Then those people show up and turns out they were in the wrong site but were leaving anyways. 3/4 of the guys were cool and were rapidly packing up their stuff but the last one was a jerk and didn't seem to care that it was now getting dark, the sun had set and yet we still were just waiting for them so we could set up our camp. We didn't get to set up until 8pm when we should have been able to set up at 2pm. The ranger was great BUT they apparently don't confirm that the correct people are at the correct remote sites which could lead to an issue like we had.
That said - the site had great views but was a tad exposed. So if it had gotten hot - we would have roasted in the morning. Bathroom was super clean There is no water so you need to pack it in.
We had some good walks around the park but it just sucked that others could mess up our trip.
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very very scenic place... you can also climb up the ridges along the hillside that runs along the beaches shore... just to warn you there are lots of dried seaweed on the beach with flies so the smell isnt that great... but hey... thats nature for you ^_-
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