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Montana de Oro State Park hides in the shadows of the other more popular beaches in the Morro Bay area. The icon of the bay is Morro Rock which stands tall over the entrance to Morro Bay. At the foot of this rock you’ll find the Jetty Beach, the City Beach, and the State Beach. All of these beaches are popular and worth checking out. Morro Bay State Park is another worthy destination on the bay. It includes the hills at the back of the bay with miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking.

Hidden away south of the bay you’ll find Montana de Oro State Park near the town of Los Osos. It has miles of trails along the bluff and in the hills that can be hiked, biked, or ridden on horseback (see a Montana de Oro Park topo map). Trails lead to four minor summits with outstanding views including Valencia Peak, Oats Peak, Alan Peak, and Hazard Peak. In addition to these trails, this park has three sandy beaches and tidepools too!

The Morro Rock From Montana De Oro State ParkSandspit Beach with Morro Rock in the distance

Montana de Oro State Park was purchased by the state of California in 1965 after a long history as a farm and dairy ranch owned by Alexander Hazard and others. The state kept the name from the Rancho Montana de Oro (“Mountain of Gold” in Spanish) so called for the golden wildflowers on the hillsides. Nowadays, the park has a campground and several day-use areas, but is otherwise a quiet place where you can roam about. March through May is a good time to see the park as the California Poppies will be blooming.

California Poppies in bloom

Sandspit Beach is a long sandy beach backed by dunes on the long spit that protects Morro Bay Harbor. This is the best place for a long beach walk and beachcombing. If you walk far enough to the north you’ll reach the Morro Dunes Natural Preserve with unique views of Morro Rock and the town of Morro Bay.

Hazard Canyon Reef is best known for tide pools. It is located at the south end of Sandspit Beach where a rocky point sticks out into the Pacific. Come here at low tide to see the colorful tide pools which are considered some of the best tide pools in California.

Spooner’s Cove is the beach nearest the park’s campground (Islay Creek Campground). This cove has tide pools that are exposed at low tides and a sandy beach that is amazing at anytime. This is a picturesque spot with large rocks that visitors will be seen climbing on. Trails branch out in all directions from this centrally located spot.

Coon Creek Beach is the smallest sandy beach in the park. It’s at the southern park border and can only be accessed via the Point Buchon Trail on Pacific Gas & Electric property. Another trail called the Bluff Trail makes an excellent hike or bike ride from this parking lot.

Spooners Cove BS-DC Mar2015 (15)Spooners Cove