Los Osos Oaks State Natural Reserve

The Los Osos Oaks State Natural Reserve protects 90 acres of ancient dwarfed oaks in a coastal dune habitat. Dating back 800 years, the oaks’ gnarled roots make a spectacular backdrop for any exploration of the area.

History of the Oaks Preserve

Temperatures in Los Osos range from the 50s and 60s in winter to nearly 70 degrees in summer. This mild climate supports five plant groups on the Los Osos Oaks State Natural Reserve, most notably the coast live oak woodland. The canopy of ancient trees reaches as high as 25 feet from the ground. Their trunks are often covered in lichen and their branches hang with moss. Other plant environments include dune oak scrub, coastal sage scrub, riparian woodland, and Central Coast scrub. Visitors often come to see the dwarf oaks that stand just six to eight feet tall, even after hundreds of years. Their growth has been stunted for a lack of minerals and moisture, and for having grown in sandy soil.

In addition to unique plant communities, the coastal oak environment is home to many interesting birds, mammals and insects. In general, the majority of these creatures can most easily be seen in spring and fall, one hour after sunrise and one hour before sunset.  In the grove, look for acorn woodpeckers, western flycatchers, Anna’s and Allen’s hummingbirds, Northern flickers, California towhees and thrashers. Grassland birds include Brewer’s blackbirds and mourning doves. Coastal habitats see American kestrels, red-tailed hawks, great horned owls and barn owls.