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MORRO BAY LOS OSOS / BAYWOOD PARK
MORRO BAY
Morro Bay is located on The Central Coast midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, this historic fishing village has much to offer its visitors and residents. The most distinctive recognizable landmark associated with Morro Bay is the famous Morro Rock. For many years, this small town was focused completely on the commercial fishing fleet that harbored in the sheltered waters of the Morro Bay estuary. However, its sunny, mild Mediterranean climate with year round comfort and the bounty of its natural beauty and the activities this allows has proved to be an irresistible magnet for visitors from all over California and beyond. Many have chosen to stay! For residents of Morro Bay, there is never a shortage of things to do. You can peruse boutiques and shops, or play golf on a world champion course. Life is enriched by excellent schools, churches, fraternal and service clubs. For nature lovers and bird watchers, Morro Bay Estuary provides a nourishing habitat to more than 250 species of birds and over two-dozen endangered and threatened species. Discover a coastline of clean dunes, paddle down a silent estuary and spy on beautiful and rare birds, or sail in the wild Pacific just beyond the breakwater. Enjoy golfing, nature hiking, horseback riding, kayaking, bicycling, camping, sport fishing, whale watching & sailboarding as well as our weekly Farmers' Market!
More on Morro Bay, California
Population (2003): 10,321
Founded: 1870
Incorporated: 1964
LOS OSOS / BAYWOOD PARK
Los Osos / Baywood Park, once inhabited by California Grizzly Bears and Chumash Indians, 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 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. Los Osos and Baywood Park, California make a single community. 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. Ranging from rugged sea coast on a peninsula surrounded by sea life to mountain hillsides, nature will reward the mountain biker or hiker. 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.
More about Los Osos-Baywood Park, California
Population (2003): 14,461
Founded: 1842
Los Osos-Baywood Park formed a Community Services District in 1998.
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