Father Crespi's diary notes that the expedition saw "troops of bears (osos)" in the valley, and, since then, it became known as the Los Osos Valley. In 1769, Gaspar de Portola's expedition passed through the Los Osos Valley.
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Visitors should look for wisps of lichens and mosses dangling from oak branches throughout the reserve. The Reserve is also the home of several species of lichen that can be found nowhere else. Visitors may also see a brush rabbit darting across the trail, or encounter the home of a nocturnal dusky-footed wood rat. Visitors can spot a shy plain titmouse, or see a California valley quail rustling through the underbrush. There is a variety of wildlife in the park. The nomadic Chumash had temporary encampments all over the Morro Bay watershed area, and this is just one reminder that many other people have come before us. Fragments of clam and abalone shells the Chumash consumed long ago are found here. One of the trails goes through remnants of an old Chumash Indian midden (trash dump) site. Staying on the trails helps to avoid contact. A sign at the entrance helps visitors identify and stay away from this pesky plant. A word of caution: one of the predominant undergrowth plants in the area is poison oak. Trails traverse through the variety of plant communities, and the trail is alternately in bright sunlight or dappled shade. Penetrating deeper into the park, these sounds diminish, giving way to birds singing, water trickling in Los Osos Creek, and wind rustling through the oaks. The weather can be changeable layered clothing is recommended.Īt the beginning of the reserve's trail, traffic noise from the busy road dominates. The reserve is located on Los Osos Valley Road in the Los Osos Valley, just outside the town of Los Osos, about halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Their massive trunks and gnarled branches twist into all sorts of fantastic shapes These giants can grow to 25 feet in height. The larger coast live oaks are located where the soil is moister. Though they are coast live oak trees, they rarely grow more than six to eight feet tall. The oak scrub has dwarf oak trees growing on the ancient (relict) sand dune. The oak communities exist close to each other, but each has its own character. They are coastal sage scrub, central coastal scrub, dune oak scrub, coast live oak forest, and riparian (streamside). According to botanists, five major plant communities thrive within the reserve. Los Osos Oaks State Natural Reserve features ancient sand dunes covered with centuries-old coast live oak trees.
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Read the latest COVID-19 guidance at COVID19.ca.gov. Beginning December 15, masks must be worn in all indoor public settings, such as museums and visitor centers, irrespective of vaccine status through January 15, 2022.
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Have a back-up plan in case your destination is crowded.