Los Osos town

Los Osos town is a magical area filled with nature that is memorable. It is foggy and cold, year round, so bring a bubble jacket- you will need it! On rare blue sky days, everything looks even more amazing, but most of the time your views will be gray. The town is not very walkable- sidewalks are rare. There are some gorgeous hidden gems, so you must either hop in your car and drive one minute to each, or walk streets that have no sidewalks, which you see many residents doing.

The main area is 2nd Street, by the Baywood Park Pier. Here you will find cute cafes! There is a small pier on the estuary and a wooden boardwalk attached. A cow sculpture adds a laugh. You can walk the boardwalk past gorgeous plants, then behind the cafes, and back to 2nd Street. Across from the pier, enjoy Nautical Bean Coffee, with some tables in the front and back looking across the parking lot to the blue water of the bay. There is no indoor seating, and the cars pulling in and out of the parking is unnerving, but it's still a lovely spot. High Street Deli, a famous sandwich shop originally from San Luis Obispo, is a highlight here, with a sunny (hopefully!) patio with hip, modern decor. Their sandwiches are high quality, attracting people from far away. They also serve beer, and sell edgy, cool things in their little gift shop. Beerwood is a fantastic place in the late afternoon when the sun hits the patio. You can sit on bar stools overlooking a wonderful view of cypress trees. It is counter-service with friendly staff and many excellent options such as chicken flatbread, cold soba noodles with veggies, miso soup. Caliwala, on 3rd Street, is a lovely little bakery, in a neighborhood, with the cutest patio among flowers and decorations. They make organic bread and treats. For some reason their patio is sheltered from the wind, so it's a great choice on a cold day. Listen to the birds singing. Take a drive along Pasadena Street and Santa Lucia Ave, stopping at three amazing lookouts. And walk the Elfin Forest boardwalk just past it. 
Take the stunning walk uphill on El Moro Avenue to Sweet Springs Nature Preserve. There is no sidewalk, but there is a wide shoulders and the views are wonderful above the bay, and there is a picnic table situated perfectly above the luminous water. There is a non-descript side trail along the road that leads into the preserve. There are two boardwalks, the first lined with native plants and flowers leading to an overlook made especially for bird watching. A dirt path connects the two, leading past a natural spring filled with ducks, where deer drink the clear water. Here, views of the salt marsh and Morro Rock are wonderful. Then you come to the second boardwalk, through magical eucalyptus forest, past deer possibly, to another overlook on the estuary. You can talk to birders you meet.
From the Ramona Ave exit of Sweet Springs Nature Preserve, you can walk 13 minutes (no sidewalk and I haven't tried this) or drive to the area we call the kayak graveyard! It is a dirt path on the edge of the Cuesta Inlet, named Art View Scenic Spot on google maps. Here, hundreds of colorful kayaks are locked up along the path, making for a scenic walk! The views of the inlet and Morro Rock are pretty, but the wind is fierce! Wow you've never felt such cold in July!
Also walking distance (10 minute walk) but probably best to drive is the next spot, Sea Pines Golf Resort. Here a bowl-shaped lawn framed by cypress trees makes a nice spot for live music, every Saturday on the lawn 2-8pm. and Sunday on the adjacent patio 11-1pm (confirm hours and bands playing on their website). The bands are usually 60s classic rock, attracting an older crowd. Clubhouse Grill is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the patio. You can't see the estuary much from the lawn, nor at all from the patio, but it is there, across the golf course.
You can walk Howard Ave, along the golf course with views of the blue estuary, for 14 minutes to Coastal Access Monarch Butterfly Preserve (the name on google maps) at the end of Monarch Lane. Here you can take a very short walk through a eucalyptus forest with monarch butterflies November to February, if you're lucky. You end at a path of deep, deep sand, with views of the dunes on the other side of Shark Inlet. You can follow this deep sand path for 1km but we didn't do it. Monarch Lane has sidewalks, if you'd like to walk the neighborhood in the shade of some trees. It leads to Pecho Valley Road, and if you turn right there are sidewalks for a little while longer and it's quite scenic, with flowers and trees. This is the road that leads to Montana de Oro, but must be driven once the sidewalk ends. 
Montana de Oro is a place you must go sometime! The winding drive through eucalyptus trees is stunning! You might see deer in sunny meadows. Then you get to a lookout with sweeping views of Morro Rock and the estuary! Next you come to Spooner's Cove, one of the most magical beaches ever! It has colored rocks, shells, pebbles, and sea glass, and a stream leading into it. The waves swoosh around the rocks in a pleasing way, and you can climb the yellow Monterey shale rock. Walk up the bluffs to the Bluff Trail, which leads past sea stacks and amazing views of the rugged coastline. You can also drive to Point Buchon Trail, at the very end, owned by the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant. You sign in at the guard shack in order to take the hike (open 8-4, closed Tues and Wed), which is stunning like the Bluff Trail, with abundant wildflowers in springtime and birds!
When you return Pecho Valley Road becomes Los Osos Valley Road. There are some nice places to stop! Los Osos Valley Nursery (open 10-5) has garden plants and colorful pots and decor. Los Osos Community Park has a skate park, playground, and sweet historic schoolhouse. On its street is Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, where you can admire the sweet outdoor sculpture of Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus, in a natural style. Inside, there are colorful stained glass windows and sculptures, all very pleasing, but only open before masses.
Wayward Bakery (Fri-Mon 8-1:30, closed xmas break) has delicious baked goods such as chocolate croissants (yummy accompanied by steamed milk called a steamer), and a nice bench table inside, high stools by the window, and one table under a cypress tree outside. They have good music and a youthful atmosphere. It's most fun to come on Fridays when it's not so busy and all the employees are happily cooking and chatting in preparation for the weekend. Yokoso Coffee (open 7:30-1, closed Sun and Mon) has indoor seating (a rare thing!) with big windows showing palms and sky, and outdoor seating in the back. The staff are a friendly family. 
Some other places along this road that I haven't tried yet: The Olde Alehouse usually has live music on Sunday afternoons around 1 or 2pm. Celia's Garden Cafe often has live music on Fri and Sat at 5pm, including Jazz. Yogurt Paradise sells frozen yogurt, near Ralphs supermarket.

Directions

Los Osos is a small town with two areas of businesses. The cute area by the estuary and pier is 2nd Street and its back streets. The strip mall area is along Los Osos Valley Road and Fairchild Way. There are lots of nature preserves dotted around the area, including Montana de Oro southeast of town.
Wayward Baking is closed during winter break, Dec 25, 2025 to Jan 9, 2026.

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