Coon Creek Beach – Montana de Oro State Park

Coon Creek Beach is the southernmost beach in Montana de Oro State Park. It’s a beautiful spot with access for a limited number of people from Thursday through Monday

You won’t find access to the beach from the state park, but where there’s a will there’s a way. Getting to the beach requires hiking a short distance on the Point Buchon Trail which is on private land administered by the Pacific Gas and Electric Company. This trail is open to the public, but unfortunately only from Thursday through Monday. Demand for hiking this trail has increased while the daily hiker limit has remained at 275 people. So if you want to visit Coon Creek Beach, get to the trailhead in the morning.

On the other days, you can hike or bike to a viewpoint of Coon Creek Beach from the Bluff Trail which starts from the same parking lot. The Bluff Trail heads directly toward the ocean providing a glimpse into Coon Creek Cove from the bluff. This trail continues north along the shore past Grotto Rock all the way to Spooner’s Cove. Hiking the shore in this area of Montana de Oro State Park gets you views of rock arches and deep coves along the shore.

At Coon Creek Beach there are sea caves that can be entered from the beach at low tides. The creek meanders through the sand toward the ocean attracting birds seeking freshwater. South of the cove along the Point Buchon Trail there is a sink hole where sea water rushes in and out below. Stay back from cliff edges, but enjoy the viewpoints along the shore near the trail.

To get to the Coon Creek parking lot and Point Buchon Trailhead, start in Los Osos and drive south on Pecho Valley Road to the very end where the road loops through a small parking area.

Address

Pecho Valley Rd
Los Osos, CA 93402

Phone

805-772-6101

Park Name

Montaña de Oro State Park

Owner

State Park

Pet Details

No dogs allowed on trails or beach

Fees

Free parking

Activities

Hiking, Mountain Biking, Beach Exploration, Birdwatching

Amenities

Trails, Caves, Creek, Restrooms

Links

Water Temps
Tide Chart