Los Osos - California

Los Osos, California

Los Osos (the Bears) is an unincorporated community -- there are many in California. The total population of these communities probably exceeds one million. In the case of Los Osos, Baywood Park combines with it to form a Census-Designated Place to use for certain statistical operations, such as census-taking.

The community name was given when a Spanish expedition, headed by Gaspar de Portola, found many Grizzly bears in the valley near the eventual site of Los Osos. The Spanish presence was a challenge to the English and Russian presence in other parts of coastal California. This was the last of four such trips undertaken by explorers on behalf of Spain.

Most of the land area of Los Osos is devoted to residential use. There is a small business district and some shops. There are numerous tourist attractions. Most people who live in Los Osos work in San Luis Obispo or Morro Bay. The population is around 16,000 and can grow a further 10,000 before capacity is reached.

Montana de Oro (Mountain of Gold) State Park offers hiking, bicycling and equestrian trails, fishing and scuba diving. The carpet of spring wild flowers gave rise to the name.

One of the unique attractions, the Elfin Forest, is a natural phenomenon at the juncture between Los Osos and the Morro Bay estuary. The stunted live oaks (Pygmy oaks) gave the forest its name and besides these, the area supports a great variety of plant life, mammals, birds and reptiles.

eucalyptus trees attracting the Monarch butterflies migration
Baywood Park Pier
Monday Farmers' Market in Baywood Park
Audubon Overlook
Elfin Forest Natural Area, monthly guided tours
Sweet Springs Nature Preserve
Los Osos Oaks State Preserve
Montana de Oro State Park
Apple-picking orchards
Oktoberfest in Baywood
Museum of Natural History at Morro Bay State Park
January Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival
Performing Acts Centre
Cruisin' Morro Bay Car Show