San Luis Obispo county abounds in opportunities to come face to face with interesting wildlife. Here are a few ideas:
Piedras Blancas – Elephant Seals
Photo by mikebaird - Creative Commons 2.0
The beaches north of San Simeon (home of Hearst Castle) are an important rookery for Northern Elephant Seals (Mirounga angustirostris). Nearly hunted to extinction for lantern oil, Elephant Seals are the largest, deepest-diving living pinnipeds. During spring, females and young seals can be watched from bluff trails easily accessible from State Route 1.
Visit the Friends of the Elephant Seal website for more info
Hi Mtn. Lookout – California Condors
photo by Jamie Miller - Creative Commons 2.0
Just a few miles away from the wedding location, Hi Mountain Lookout in the Los Padres National Forest is a wildfire lookout/nature center with a special emphasis on California Condors (Gymnogyps californianus). If you are exceptionally lucky, you may even spot the handful of captive-raised condors which regularly soar over the Santa Lucia range.
Visit the Hi Mountain Lookout project webpage for more info.
Morro Bay – Herons, Falcons and Otters
photo by Kevin Cole - Creative Commons 2.0
Morro Bay–one of very few relatively undeveloped estuaries on the California coast–is a birder’s paradise. Peregrine Falcons nest on Morro Rock along with cormorants and gulls. A large heron rookery can be found in the town of Morro Bay near the small but interesting natural history museum. Renting a kayak is perhaps the best way to experience wildlife in the bay itself including otters, harbor seals and various birds, and provides an opportunity to explore the undeveloped sandspit that separates the bay from the Pacific Ocean. Much more information about birding in the Morro Bay area and around the county can be found at the Morro Coast Audubon Website.
Los Osos/Montaña De Oro – Elfin Oaks and Tidepools
photo by Neil
Just a few miles down the road from Morro Bay, the Elfin Forest and Montaña de Oro State Park both near the town of Los Osos, shouldn’t be missed by nature lovers. The Elfin Forest consists of a small sandy trail that loops through charming miniature live oak trees. Numerous species of reptiles and birds can be seen along the trail, as well as breathtaking views of Morro Bay and the hills beyond. Montaña de Oro is a large undeveloped chunk of coastline studded with tidepools, secluded beaches, bluffs, creeks and peaks.
Hwy 58/Carrizo Plain – Wildflowers and Golden Eagles
photo by Enough - Creative Commons 2.0
At the extreme eastern end of the county Carrizo Plain National Monument is slightly out-of-the-way but well worth a visit. Brown and barren much of the year, the area explodes with wildflowers in the spring. Raptors including eagles are regularly seen soaring overhead or pearched on telephone poles. Coyotes, kit fox and pronghorn can also be frequently be found.
