Montana De Oro State Beach: Bluff Trail
Hike some of the most rugged yet picturesque coastline along the Central California coast at this secluded state park in San Luis Obispo County.
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119 – Begin this easy hike at horseshoe-shaped Spooners Cove. Head south a very short distance to a small bridge. Cross it bearing west along the southside of Spooners Cove.
120 – At the Y-junction bear right next to tall cyprus tree with Spooners Cove on the right.
121 – At the Y-junction bear right and south over another foot bridge in coastal chaparral.
122 – Pass the Pecho Road sign to a Y-junction and bear right continuing along the bluffs. Keep an eye out for black oystercatchers, gulls, brown pelicans and other seabirds.
123 – At another Y-junction bear right and south. Good place for lunch and photography.
124 – You’ll come to a fence and no trespassing sign. Incredible views of weathered bluffs, pristine beaches and rugged coastal mountains teeming with mule deer, mountain lions and other wildlife. Retrace your steps back to Spooners Cove.
Trail Facts
- Distance: 2.7
Waypoints
124
Location: 35.259793, -120.894454
22-MAR-09 12:52:32PM
123
Location: 35.260592, -120.894712
22-MAR-09 12:50:36PM
122
Location: 35.265584, -120.893171
22-MAR-09 12:45:44PM
121
Location: 35.272188, -120.893672
22-MAR-09 12:38:48PM
120
Location: 35.272337, -120.889752
22-MAR-09 12:33:41PM
119
Location: 35.273641, -120.887943
22-MAR-09 12:27:38PM
Pigeon Guillemot.jpg
Location: 35.26605, -120.89304
While hugging the rugged coastline, keep an eye out for rare, hardy seabirds like this pigeon guillemot.
Montana De Oro Fisheye.jpg
Location: 35.261144, -120.894499
This coastline is some of the most scenic central California has to offer. Virtually every lookout is worth a stop.
ChuckGraham_MuleDeer_IMG_0568.jpg
Location: 35.260443, -120.894241
All along the route, keep an eye out for wildlife. Besides seabirds, mountain lions, black bears, bobcats and mule deer frequent the region.
Montana de Oro State Beach Landscape.jpg
Location: 35.272707, -120.889606
This is arguably the best lookout on the hike and it’s only a short distance from the carpark. This is Spooners Cove.
