Sweet Springs Nature Preserve, Los Osos
Sweet Springs Nature Preserve is absolutely gorgeous! It is run by Audobon Society. Here a jade green spring runs under a wooden bridge. Ducks and tadpoles waddle around in the water. If you are lucky, you can see deer coming to the spring to drink- it is so beautiful, like the hymn "As the deer panteth for the water..." I also made eye contact with a big deer right next to me on the wooden boardwalk!
The eucalyptus trees are tall and grand, with big, lush leaves. I can just imagine a koala munching them- I am Australian! Clear, golden light shines in through the trees on sunny days. The leaves make a mesmerizing rustling sound on windy days. Green-hued Spanish moss hangs from the trees.
You walk for about 1.2 km on a wooden boardwalk and also dirt paths through the preserve. There are little viewing platforms with plaques showing which birds you might spot. The dunes of the estuary are in the distance as are California palms, Monterey cypress trees, and mountains.
The walk is mostly flat and easy, though there is some loose dirt so bring shoes you don't love. After rain it can be a bit muddy. Come on a late summer or autumn afternoon for sunny, warm weather.
Springtime is nesting season, when you can hear the most bird songs! The adult birds are busy collecting twigs, grasses, and items to build their nests. Once the babies arrive, the adult birds collect insects all day to feed their little ones. When summer begins, the baby birds fly away from the nest, but some still rely on the adult birds for food. Sounds like college!
Have lunch at High Street Deli (closed Tues and Wed), one of the 2nd Street cafes. It is a two minute drive away, and there is a nice estuary walk on a pier and boardwalk there.
For an incredible place nearby, check out Spooner's Cove.
Birds you might see: Bewick's Wren, California Quail, Chestnut-Backed Chickadee, Savannah Sparrow, Anna's Hummingbird, Common Yellowthroat, Great Horned Owl, Wilson's Warbler...
Some more birds you might see: Black Phoebe, Song Sparrow, American Robin, White-tailed Kite, Red-tailed Hawk, Northern Mockingbird, California Scrub Jay, European Starling, White-crowned Sparrow...
Lovely pale purple flowers, with the powder blue water and dunes behind.
The upper path in the sun, with cypress trees adding atmosphere.
Mountain views across the water.
As the deer panteth for the water...See the deer at the water's edge in the middle of this photo.
A deer looks at me!
Bridge beside the spring.
You can see the birds without them seeing you...then they won't fly away!
A bird watching enthusiast walks the boardwalk.
Ducks in the spring.
Path through the eucalyptus trees.
Hard-packed dirt path under a cypress tree.
Cypress tree and calm blue estuary.
Stepping stone tree trunks.
Information sign about the nests in the preserve.
The spring looks enchanting.
Looking out over the marsh.
The chunky leaves of a eucalyptus tree.
Green sprout on a eucalyptus tree.
Narrow wooden boardwalk to a lookout.
Mountains, fog, cypress tree outlines, reflection of it all!
Green moss hanging from a tree.
View of marsh.
The wooden boardwalk, with a deer on the right side.
Lookout over the marsh.
Binoculars for spotting birds in the estuary.
Tall eucalyptus.
Sign and blue water through the trees.
Morro Rock across the marsh.
Bench by the spring.
Bench with view of Morro Rock.
Eucalyptus.
Mother and son on a bench along the path.
Marsh and barren tree.
"Pass and leave no trace, like a fish through water or birds through air..." Willa Cather.
The estuary and dunes in sunlight.
Purple and yellow flowers with silvery leaves.
Sunshine on the trail, in April.
The bridge over the spring.
Morro Rock, dunes, salt marsh, and dirt path.
The salt marsh!
Green moss hanging from a tree.
Sweet Springs Nature Preserve is located at 660 Ramona Ave, Los Osos, CA 93402. You can park for free along the road.
William Crowe
Sun, 10 Sep 2023
That sounds like a lovely excursion! Thank you!
Last Updated: Tue, 01 Apr 2025 14:53:39 GMT
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