Five State Parks in SLO CAL

Seeking to venture outside to recharge in vast, open-air spaces with abundant leisure and adventure opportunities? Looking for some mesmerizing scenery to go with it? Sounds like it’s time for a road trip to SLO CAL (San Luis Obispo County) – home to five must-see state parks where you can play the days away.

SLO CAL is a California-less-traveled region that entices visitors with a laid-back vibe across 20 quaint, individual communities that invite everyone from hardcore adventure junkies to inspired artists to rejuvenate their spirits. And the state parks that dot the region are some of the many places these personal renaissances transpire. From endless dunes to ragged cliffs, to find more information about the local state parks, continue reading. 

Morro Bay State Park

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Beach View of Morro Rock

Sailing, fishing, hiking and some incredible views await you at Morro Bay State Park, the perfect place for unenclosed adventuring. If you packed your clubs, the park features an 18-hole public golf course. For an iconic photo op, get a picture with Morro Bay's signature landmark: Morro Rock. You’ll spot this feature just off the coast, casting a silhouette as the sun vanishes into the horizon. The park is also home to Morro Bay State Park Museum of Natural History which has exhibits covering natural features, cultural history, Native American life, geology and oceanography. Check the Morro Bay State Park website for more information. 

Harmony Headlands State Park

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Two kids hiking down a sandy path at Harmony Headlands Park in SLO CAL

Speaking of fishing, be sure to check out Harmony Headlands State Park, a 784-acre, day-use only coastal park located just minutes off Highway 1. This park is a great site to fish from the shore while taking in the natural beauty of the region. If you prefer more dry-land exploration, take the trail from the parking lot to observe the park’s varied terrain of steep hills, grassy terraces and million-dollar views of the Pacific Ocean.

Estero Bluffs State Park

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Cayucos Shipwreck

The 355-acre Estero Bluffs State Park consists of a grassy coastal terrace that gently slopes from Highway 1 to the glistening Pacific Ocean, making for picture-perfect nature exploring. The park is a particularly diverse and scenic area of the California coast, featuring sea stacks, wetlands, low bluffs and coastal terraces, in addition to a number of endangered species, including the snowy plover. This nature lover’s paradise is best explored with a leisurely hike to Vista Point, an afternoon on the beach or trying your skill at windsurfing.

Montana de Oro State Park

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views of the poppies growing along trail in Montana de Oro State Park

Montana de Oro State Park translates to “Mountain of Gold” and you're bound to be impressed with the seas of blooming golden wildflowers in the spring. The park challenges hikers and backpackers with terrain ranging from rugged cliffs coastal plains, while secluded sandy beaches, the best-known being Spooner’s Cove, serve as the perfect blanket for relaxing picnics in the fabulous SLO CAL weather. If you feel like indulging in a bit of “head-in-the-clouds” fun, be sure to venture up to the 1,347-foot Valencia Peak, where you’ll be treated to spectacular views and calming solitude.

San Simeon State Park

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Aerial view of San Simeon Pier at W.R. Hearst Memorial State Beach

Hearst San Simeon State Park is one of the oldest spaces in the California State Park System. This park offers visitors costal bluffs with unobstructed views. To get the best look, take the 3.3 mile trail through the San Simeon Natural Preserve. And before you adventure to your next outdoor adventure, don't miss the Piedras Blancas Northern Elephant Seals Rookery to the north of the Park. 

Bonus: Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area

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Person walking along the Oceano Dunes

Remember when you were a little kid and spent hours joyfully playing in the sandbox, letting your imagination run wild? Now picture that sandbox much, much bigger, and now you have way cooler toys than a plastic bucket and shovel. This is the Oceano Dunes State Park. Conveniently located next to the largest dunes complex in all of California, you can spend the afternoons on an adrenaline high traversing endless hills of windswept sand dunes by vehicle, foot or horseback. The park is also great for biking, hiking and jogging, as it is webbed with trails that treat visitors to magnificent views of crashing Pacific waves. Don’t forget the fishing gear, as Oceano Dunes State Park is a great place to cast a line with your toes in the sand.

SLO CAL State Beaches and More

SLO CAL's State Parks offer variety of typography and outdoor activities perfect for an escape to nature. Plus nearly all of them have no or limited day use fees. Check out even more state protected outdoor space by visiting these state beaches, historical monument and natural reserve:

  • Cayucos State Beach
  • Morro Strand State Beach
  • Pismo State Beach
  • Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument
  • Los Osos Oaks State Natural Reserve