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Print Friendly MapLocated in Montaña de Oro State Park, the Bluff Trail is a scenic 4.1-mile loop with gorgeous views of the ocean and surrounding landscape. Hugging the coastline, the trail heads along the bluffs for about 2 miles. To return, it is possible to retrace your steps at any point or take a slightly shorter in-land trail at the ravine junction just south of Corallina Cove.
Wildflowers are abundant during the warmer seasons and there is always a variety of wildlife to observe. Open year-round, the trail is popular with families, joggers, bicyclists, and bird-watching enthusiasts. The wide gravel path stays quite flat and is fully ADA accessible. About a mile-and-a-half down the trail at Quarry Cove, there is an accessible picnic table right next to the trail.
Short spur trails offer access to tidepools and beaches. There are many great picnic spots and benches are placed along the route. Montaña de Oro State Park is free and open to the public with no entrance fee. Stop by the Visitor's Center to pick up a map of the park.
Named "Mountain of Gold" after the golden wildflowers that bloom during the spring, the Montaña de Oro State Park has lots to explore, including mountain biking and equestrian trails. With its rugged cliffs, marine terrace bluffs, secluded sandy beaches, coastal plains, streams, canyons, and rolling hills, the park is a perfect place to enjoy California's natural beauty.
Montana de Oro State Park is located at 3550 Pecho Valley Road, just south of Morro Bay and Los Osos. The park is also an easy 20-minute drive from San Luis Obispo, along Los Osos Valley Road and Pecho Valley Road.
There is plenty of parking at the park and there is a paved accessible space in the gravel parking lot on Pecho Valley Road. From the parking lot, the northern trailhead is just a few steps past the Visitor's Center.
WOW! For spectacular, breathtaking coastal views, this trail is hard to beat!
It's been a few years, but over a period of thirty years or so, whenever my wife and I visited the Central Coast from SoCal we always made a point of hiking or biking this short but impressive trail.
California golden poppies, wildflowers, deer, California valley quail, sea otters, rattlesnakes, and a perfectly pleasant hard packed, bike friendly trail make this a can't miss experience!
BTW ~ Since you'll already be in the neighborhood, consider hiking the Point Buchon Trail directly south of Montana de Oro to make a full day of it and for even more incredible, scenic coastal views!
(Last time I checked, Point Buchon Trail is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays)
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