BY: MATT ELLIS / TEMPLETON, CALIFORNIA
If you are familiar with my work you know that I subscribe to the idea that spending time in nature produces happy and healthy humans in general, and with kids, it’s darn near mandatory. With this in mind, we set out on our most recent adventure to hike the Bluff Trail in Montaña de Oro (Mountain of Gold) on the beautiful Central Coast of California. This hike is ideal for families and it’s definitely one of our favorites. On this particular hike, we had three generations of family making it even more special. In the following sections, I’ll share with you a bit about getting there, what to expect, and how to make the most of your visit.
Getting to the Trailhead
The drive into Montaña de Oro state park is an easy one. From Hwy 101 in San Luis Obispo take the Los Osos Valley Road exit and head west. Stay on it through Baywood-Los Osos until it becomes Pecho Valley Road. Continue straight past the sand spit trailhead, through the Eucalyptus forest, and past the Spooner Ranch House. Parking is free along the side of the road in front of the trailhead. We went on a Saturday and arrived around 11:30 am. By that time we had to do a bit of searching for a spot but ended up finding one not too far from an entrance to the trail. It is probably a good idea to get there early to get the primo parking and get ahead of the crowd.
What to Expect
Bluff Trail in Montaña de Oro State Park is about as scenic as you could hope for. Be sure to bring a camera because this place is photogenic! The first thing you will notice on this 4.1-mile loop is the abundance of plant life along the wide flat trail. Beach Morning Glory, Sand Verbena, California Poppys, and over 655 other blooming flowers have been photographed within the state park.
Just a few short minutes into the hike the ocean comes into view. The view becomes more spectacular with every step as the coastline reveals itself and I could visibly see my children’s excitement start to grow in anxious anticipation of reaching the water. The fresh sea air and sound of crashing waves against rocky cliffs was enough to send my two-year-old running to the ocean, arms back, head down, in full turbo mode. At the ocean’s edge, eroded remnants of a chain of ancient volcanoes that are responsible for Montaña de Oro’s beautiful cliffs and jagged coastline sit waiting to be discovered. Sea creatures thrive here and with a little luck, you can spot seals, sea otters, dolphins, and even whales swimming along the coastal waters.
3 Keys to a Successful Hike at Montaña de Oro
I love to get my little guys out on the trails as often as I can. I talked about general advice for hiking with kids in a previous post, but here are a couple of additional things to note if you’re prepping for a day at Montaña de Oro.
Bring a stroller – If you have a stroller than can roll on dirt, bring it. This trail has easy stroller access and we had no issues pushing ours on the dirt. Full disclosure, my two-year-old (pushing three) was in and out of the stroller the entire hike and I carried him a good portion of the way back. However, the stroller was a great way to transport snacks, water, and warm clothes as we set out on our adventure.
Pack a lunch – Bluff trail has tons of scenic viewpoints and tables that are perfect for a small picnic. This can be a great opportunity to give your legs a rest, let the kids play, and take in the beautiful views in every direction.
Camera for the kids – On this trip, we gave my five-year-old a camera that he was in charge of and it was a hit. He took pictures during the entire hike and was excited to share them with the group when we were done. Here is a shot of him below working on his photo album. This is a great excuse to talk about what is catching his eye and turns our day out into a field trip with a biology lesson!
Things To Be Aware Of
Because the trail is situated on a bluff you need to be extra vigilant with young kids. The cliffs are pretty close to the edge of the trail in some places. Don’t pick the poppies, they are beautiful but it’s illegal! Parking can be a little difficult, especially on weekends and holidays so get there early. There are bathrooms on the trail as you enter the trailhead from Pecho Valley Rd walking toward the ocean. When you see a split in the trail, stay left for the restrooms. Dogs are not allowed on the trail so, unfortunately, pup friends have to stay home. One last thing, it can get windy so even on a nice day you might want to consider bringing jackets and beanies for the kiddos.
I hope this inspires you to visit this beautiful location and get outside. For more ideas for things to do on the Central Coast with kids check out my post here.
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