Los Osos

Once inhabited by California Grizzly Bears and Chumash Indians, Los Osos / Baywood Park, California has become a community where nature still prevails. From the moment you enter the "Valley of the Bears" you enter a truly enchanted part of the California Central Coast.

Los Osos CA is the gateway to Montana de Oro State Park. The park's name, meaning "mountain of gold" comes from the fields of wild flowers that blanket the landscape each spring. This breathtaking 8,000 acre park offers visitors a wealth of natural beauty, over fifty miles of hiking, bicycling, and equestrian trails, camping, shore-fishing and scuba diving. Nestled within the borders of Los Osos are numerous pristine wilderness preserves such as the magical Elfin Forest, Los Osos Oak Preserve, Sweet Springs Nature Preserve, and Audubon Overlook.

 Los Osos CA Interactive Area Map - An interactive map of all listings in this town.

Los Osos CA Restaurants

Los Osos CA Hotels

Major Events:

• Farmers' Market every Monday (Baywood Park)
• Guided Tours of the Elfin Forest - Monthly
• Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival - January
• Lighthouse Bike Rally - September
• Oktoberfest - October (Baywood Park)
• Veteran's Day Celebration - 11/11 (November)
• Arts & Crafts Show - December

Upcoming Los Osos Events & Activities (as well as events in the sister town of Baywood Park)

Los Osos and Baywood Park, California make a single community stretched out along the south end of the Morro Bay National Estuary and just north of Montana de Oro State Park.  The village climbs up the steep hill on the south side toward the State Park, looking out over the Bay. Los Osos is the slowest growing town in the county, with only a 3% increase in dwelling units since 1990.

The town is a bit off the beaten track since it is not on either Highway 101 or the California Highway 1. You can take either Los Osos Valley Road about 10 miles from San Luis Obispo or use the South Bay Boulevard from Morro Bay, about 4 miles. Either way, the short ride is a treat in itself. Almost without fail you will see red tailed hawks, egrets, a variety of ducks, or deer. Like the rest of the county, the mountains are never out of view, and Los Osos - Baywood Park is shaped by its location between the hills and Bay; Los Osos is the gateway to Montana de Oro State Park, one of the jewels of California's extensive park system.  Ranging from rugged sea coast on a peninsula surrounded by sea life to mountain hillsides, nature will reward the mountain biker or hiker.  Visit the interpretive center to get the interesting details on the show going on around you.

From the distances we just gave you, you can tell that Los Osos really isn't secluded (lots of its residents work in San Luis Obispo), but it feels apart-some of its residents refer to it as the "California Central Coast Best Kept Secret." You know there aren't any bears in the valley anymore, but the way the drama of nature extends right into town helps you understand how there could have been. The Morro Bay National Estuary with its strong daily tides imprints a slow measure of time on everything.

This is a peaceful place. You can play golf by the Bay or take easy walks through the wonderful ecological niches that have been preserved for you. The only way to get to the Morro Bay sandspit without a boat is from the road to Montana de Oro. A walk along that beach on the ocean side of the spit, where sea birds of an amazing variety and number run in and out with the waves of the Pacific, is pure magic.

Click on the links below for a list of Los Osos-Baywood businesses including services, local tours, vacation rentals, plus events and attractions, including dates of events to help you plan your next trip.

Los Osos/Baywood Park Chamber of Commerce
http://www.losososbaywoodpark.org/
805-528-4884

More about Los Osos-Baywood Park, California
Population (2003): 14,461
65+ (2002): 19.0%
Founded: 1842
Los Osos-Baywood Park formed a Community Services District in 1998.