Shark Inlet and Monarch Lane Butterflies, Los Osos

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San Luis Obispo, CA
Shark Inlet and Monarch Lane Butterflies, Los Osos
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At the end of Monarch Lane in Los Osos is a small eucalyptus forest! Here, monarch butterflies come in the winter, if you're lucky. You can walk the dirt path through the eucalyptus trees, with their big blue-hued leaves. It is a very short 450ft path. Next you come to a deep sand path. Here you see the steep dunes on the other side of Shark Inlet. If you take the deep sand path it will lead past shark inlet, up a very steep dune covered in patches of flowers, and to the shore of the beach (1km), but it was too deep for us!

You can extend your walk by walking along Monarch Lane in this pleasant neighborhood- it is somewhat shady in the morning and afternoon because of trees on its south side.
This is one of the less impressive spots in Los Osos town, which has many magical spots to explore. 
After have a cup of tea at attractive Yokoso Coffee, a four minute drive east. Their indoor seating is nice, with big windows. Indoor seating is a rare thing and nice to have on a cold day. The staff, a family, are friendly.
You could also have a delicious sandwich at High Street Deli on the cute main street in Los Osos, 2nd Street. It is a seven minute drive north.

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The sand path that leads to Shark Inlet and dunes.

View of Morro Rock from where the sand path begins.

Blue-hued leaves in the forest, on a September afternoon.

Trail through the forest.

It's nice to have a cup of tea at Yokoso Coffee in Los Osos after your walk!

Nice seating at Yokoso Coffee.

Directions

On google maps this is called Coastal Access Monarch Butterfly Preserve. It is located at 2 Monarch Lane, Los Osos CA. There is parking along Monarch Lane.

map

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Last Updated: Wed, 06 Aug 2025 22:08:30 GMT

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