Waves crashing against cliffs, wildflowers swaying in the wind, and trails that lead to nowhere but peace and quiet—this place is what coastal California daydreams are made of.
Tucked away just south of Morro Bay, Montaña de Oro State Park is one of those underrated gems that somehow still flies under the radar. With dramatic seascapes, eucalyptus groves, and a name that literally means “Mountain of Gold,” this park lives up to the hype without ever feeling crowded.
Located along the Central Coast in San Luis Obispo County, this coastal wonderland sits just outside the town of Los Osos. It’s easy to reach, hard to forget, and absolutely worth the detour.
What to Expect & When to Go ⏳
🥾 Cliffside Hikes + Ocean Views: Trails like Bluff Trail and Valencia Peak offer up-close views of tidepools, sea caves, and panoramic lookouts that will blow your socks (and maybe your signal) off.
🏕️ Camping + Coastal Chill: Montaña de Oro has a beachy campground nestled between sand dunes and cypress trees—perfect for unplugged weekends and sunset wine under the stars.
If you’re planning a getaway to the Central Coast of California, be sure to add Montaña de Oro State Park to your itinerary! It is less than a half hour drive away from San Luis Obispo, and only about 20 minutes from Morro Bay. This coastal state park covers about 7 miles of shoreline, making it the ultimate destination to get some seaside hiking in. There are tons of trails within the reserve, including: ⇢ Bluff Trail – an easy 4-mile trail that goes along the coastal bluffs ⇢ Valencia Peak Trail – a moderate 4.4-mile trail that ascends to a peak, offering gorgeous ocean views The spring is the perfect time to visit Montaña de Oro – you’ll see California poppies and other wildflowers in bloom! #montanadeoro#morrobay#sanluisobispo#centralcoast#slocal California Central Coast, San Luis Obispo Hiking, Things to do in San Luis Obispo , Things to do in Morro Bay, Montana de Oro trails
🌼 Seasonal Magic: Spring brings hills blanketed in golden wildflowers, but the park is stunning year-round—especially when coastal fog rolls in and turns the place into a moody masterpiece.
🌊 Beach Time: Spooner’s Cove is the go-to for tidepooling, picnicking, and watching the waves slam against the rocks in dramatic fashion.
Why You’ll Love It 🚀
It’s raw, rugged, and refreshingly untouched. Montaña de Oro is the kind of park that makes you feel like you stumbled into a secret—one where nature gets to do all the talking.
Find these wildflowers on the Central Coast ⬇️ Hike amongst poppies, wild mustard, and more at Montaña de Oro State Park in Los Osos, SLO County! Here’s what you need ton know about Montaña de Oro State Park wildflowers: 𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 🌼 Trails with wildflowers (as of 2/26/25): Bluff Trail – 3.4 out and back Point Buchon Trail – 6.6 miles out and back** **This trail (which is on PG&E property and accessed through Montaña de Oro State Park) requires registration at the Coon Creek kiosk upon entry and exit from the trail) 🗓 open Thursday – Monday from 8am – 3:30pm 🥾 on 275 hikers allowed per day so plan to arrive early 🌫️ Expect fog in the mornings. It can burn off later on but be sure to check the weather before your arrival. 🐶 Dogs allowed only in campground, roadways, and Spooners Beach. Dogs are not allowed on trails. ❗️Heading from out of town? Be sure to check out: Morro Bay Los Osos San Luis Obispo Pismo Beach video from 4/22/23 but wildflowers are confirmed as of 2/26/25 🌻 looking for more wildflower hikes, gardens, farm, fields, and more in California? Check out my California Flower Guide + Map ⤵️ 🔗 in bi0 to the 52-page e-book + Google Map with 300+ locations, anticipated “best times to go,” a resource guide to help you identify flowers and determine you’re visiting during the right time, & more ‼️ Would you go? 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗼 follow @lewildexplorer for more California travel & beyond 🎥: clips of me by @rocknroamgirl #centralcoastcalifornia#slocal#californiaroadtrip#californiasuperbloom Central California travel, travel California, California wildflowers, central California hiking, California adventures, Central California wildflower hikes, Pacific Coast Highway, California hidden gems, San Luis Obispo County, Central California gems, Central California coast, Sonoma coast, things to do in SLO county, things to do in San Luis Obispo county, California highway 1
