Wheelchair-Accessible Los Osos Trails Offer Contrasting Ocean Views
Although Los Osos is just 10 minutes south of the more popular tourist community of Morro Bay, most coastal visitors zip right on by this understated residential enclave. And that’s their great loss. Granted, this coastal community lacks the nautical charm of Morro Bay; however instead Los Osos boasts some stunning natural areas that showcase Mother Nature’s beauty. Case and point are these two wheelchair-accessible Los Osos trails that boast drastically different views of the Pacific Ocean. One features dramatic coastal bluff views, while the other offers the perfect spot to enjoy the bayside avian life. And both are worth a stop on any Highway 1 California road trip.
Bluff Trail
The first of these wheelchair-accessible Los Osos trails is located in Montana de Oro State Park (www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=592). Aptly named the Bluff Trail, there are actually two accessible routes to the ocean — a shorter one and a longer one. And since it’s an out-and-back trail you can do as little or as much as you want, and then just turn around if you get tired.
Once you enter the park continue along on Pecho Valley Road past the Spooner Ranch Visitor Center, and look for the accessible parking area on the right. The trailhead is conveniently located just three feet from this spot. The combination hard-packed dirt and paved trail leads out to the ocean bluffs and offers a great ocean view. On a clear day you can even see Morro Rock, plus you only have to go about .2 mile to get a nice view.
The trail continues along the coast, then turns inland for a bit. At the half- mile mark you can either turn right and cross the bridge to take on the longer trail, or continue straight ahead to loop back to the parking lot for an .8-mile jaunt.
The undulating trail again winds out to the coast, and then continues along to the Coon Parking Lot for a total hike of 2.38 miles. At about the 2.1-mile point there is a four foot slightly rocky section, before the trail climbs up to the parking lot. The steepest grade is 9%, and there are level spaces to rest along the way. Still you do have choices, and since the steepest part is near the end, you’ll get a good dose of ocean views even if you have to turn back at that point.
Accessible Picnic Choices
There are also several accessible picnic areas in the vicinity, so make sure to pack along a lunch to enjoy by the ocean. By far the number one choice is the picnic table that’s located about halfway along the Bluff Trail. Not only does it have an ocean view to die for, but this accessible table is located on a level paved pad. Even though the table is equidistant from both Bluff Trail parking areas, it’s best to approach it from the Spooner Ranch side, as that route has a more gently grade.
Alternatively there is an accessible picnic area in the Coon Parking Lot, near the accessible vault toilets. Although there’s certainly nothing wrong with the access at this site, it’s pretty utilitarian as it lacks the ocean view that the Bluff Trail picnic site affords.
Last but not least, there’s also an accessible picnic table a short drive from Spooner Ranch. Just follow Pecho Valley Road back towards the park entrance and take the first left into the beach parking lot. There’s an accessible parking spot next to an accessible vault toilet, with a level paved pathway over to the picnic table. The accessible picnic table sits on a cement pad, and the beach view there definitely puts this site in competition with the Bluff Trail picnic area for the most scenic repast spot.
Sweet Springs Nature Preserve
The shorter of these two wheelchair-accessible Los Osos trails, Sweet Springs Nature Preserve (www.morrocoastaudubon.org/p/sweet-springs-nature-preserve.html), is located in a quiet residential area — just set your GPS to 660 Ramona Ave to get to the main entrance. There’s no parking lot at this small preserve; however parallel street parking is available along Ramona Avenue.
Originally there was a half-mile accessible loop in this preserve; however time has taken its toll on the accessibility of that route. On the plus side, this site is still worth a stop as there are a few alternate accessible routes.
There’s a curb-cut entrance to the preserve, and although the entrance has some soft dirt, it’s easy to wheel around. That can’t be said of the first trail that heads off to the right, as there’s too much sand and dirt along this section to navigate a wheelchair. The main trail however is hard packed dirt and absolutely doable. It leads out to a pleasant area that borders the bay with a view of Morro Bay State Park in the distance. Benches are located along the trail, which is also next to a small pond. It’s an excellent birding location, and the perfect spot to enjoy a sunset. It’s just a short quarter-mile walk, but definitely worth the effort.
Alternatively if you head down Ramona Avenue and make a right on Broderson, there’s a nice wetlands boardwalk at the end of the road. It’s a .4 one-way walk, and it’s a nice way to top off the day. Plus you can’t beat the peaceful bay view from the platform at the end of the boardwalk. Take your binoculars and enjoy the avian visitors.
