Family Wildlife Vacations in San Luis Obispo

If outdoor recreation and wildlife is your idea of a perfect vacation, San Luis Obispo County provides a California Natural Escape.  With parks and beaches, a national monument, fresh water lakes, and the beautiful Pacific Ocean, this area provides an array of family friendly eco-activities.

Wildlife lovers will get their fill in San Luis Obispo County.  It’s a top birding destination (over 450 species have been noted here), it’s on the winter migration path for spot gray whales, it’s congregating ground and mating spot for elephant seals, and it’s a wintering ground for migrating Monarch Butterflies.  Sandhill cranes call it home, as do bald eagles, peregrine falcons, and brown pelicans.  Water residents include sea lions, harbor seals, and sea otters.

Here are a few spots to catch a look at wildlife and sea life:

Piedras Blancas – Located along Highway 1, this spot is home to Northern elephant seals.  Viewing is best during winter, the birthing and mating season.

Pismo State Beach – Home to one of the largest Monarch butterfly winter gathering spots, estimated at over 50,000, these beautiful creatures peacefully interact with humans on the North Beach campground.  Great viewing November – February in a grove of eucalyptus trees.  Be sure to keep your eyes open, you’ll find them on the ground, in the air, and in the trees.

Morro Bay – This estuary along the Pacific Flyway is the location of the annual Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival every January.  The Museum of Natural History, located in Morro Bay State Park, has hands-on and interactive exhibits and displays that cover the eco-system and environment of the area.  The museum is on a hill and overlooks the water, giving you fabulous views in addition to a learning experience.

San Simeon – The Coastal Discovery Center is located on Highway 1, directly across from Hearst Castle.  Exhibits include rainbow trout, a tide pool sculpture, deep sea videos, and more.  FREE admission.

South of Morro Bay – Montana de Oro State Park, with 8,000 acres of cliffs, beaches, and canyons, is home to black tailed deer and the black oystercatcher.  Plenty to do for naturalists and backpackers along hiking, mountain biking, and horse trails.  Camping is available.

Bakersfield – Carrizo Plain National Monument has an area for wildlife viewing, and you’ll likely spot tule elk, pronghorn antelope, giant kangaroo rats, San Joaquin kit fox, sandhill cranes, and raptors.  It’s also home to Painted Rock (a sacred place to Native Americans) and the San Andreas Fault.  In spring, wildflowers burst into bloom all over the place.

Photo credit:  Courtesy of San Luis Obispo County Visitors & Conference Bureau