What better way to celebrate the end of summer than to dedicate review No. 3,000 to Los Osos's magical Elfin Forest? There may very well be elves who live here, but the name refers to the rare pygmy oaks that very definitely do live here. If you're ever in or near Morro Bay or Los Osos, this is a place you should surely visit, so I don't want to spoil too much of the surprise for you. It's about more than the oaks, though. It's the view and the bay and the wetlands and the feel and sound of walking on a handcrafted boardwalk. And what a boardwalk it is! Because of this labor of love, visitors don't ruin any of the vegetation, and it has the added bonus of allowing wheelchair users to experience the Elfin Forest, although there are some caveats.* The only real problem, and it's not that bad, is that there aren't that many places to park. You can access the Elfin Forest from any of the numbered streets from 11th to 17th, north off of Santa Ysabel Avenue, just be aware that these are residential streets without sidewalks. There are places to park at the end of each street, although there aren't marked spots or stalls except for the accessible parking on 16th Street, and even that is limited. Once you park, just walk on the path north until you hit the boardwalk. The two highlights for me are the pygmy oak area with benches perfect for photos and Siena's View lookout point. Depending on when you come and how nice the weather is, there may be a lot of other people on the trail/boardwalk with you. Be polite, and be mindful that certain areas don't have much room to maneuver, so if you're slow or are blocking something, let people pass. The boardwalk makes a big loop. Most people seem to travel counterclockwise, but other than what I wrote below, there's no real reason for that. The loop is not particularly strenuous, although it's simultaneously deceptively short and deceptively long, somehow. Unless you're really taking your time and/or stopping quite frequently, the entire loop and side paths won't take even an hour. I'm sure many locals walk these trails as a mindfulness exercise or just to get their steps in in a beautiful bay-side setting. *If you or someone you are visiting with has limited mobility, especially if you use a wheelchair or power chair, you should park at 16th Street. This will give you direct access to the boardwalk from the parking area. (From the other streets, you need to walk through sand and dirt to get to the boardwalk.) Almost the entirety of the loop is on the boardwalk, but be advised that the route is nowhere near flat. Traveling counterclockwise around the oval (turning right when you reach it from the parking area) is probably best for those with limited mobility. It's steeper going downhill that way and might be very difficult for people going clockwise and trying to do that steeper part uphill. read more

There are a couple of ways to mozy about this place, but the main boardwalk loop is a nice starting point. Two nice vistas and Rose's Grove (a sanctuary space in the pigmy oaks) offer a nice place to pause. There are also ample benches throughout the walk if you want to take a break, or just enjoy the adjacent flora and fauna. It's one of my regular trails when walking, early morning or late afternoon. Both the sunrises and sunsets are beautiful! read more

The Elfin Forest trail is named after the beautiful grove of Pygmie Oaks off the boardwalk of this beautiful trail. Park along one of the many residential streets with signs marked Elfin Forest. Please be mindful of the neighborhood. The trail is flat with a boardwalk with directional signs everywhere. If you take one of the trails on the sand that runs along the freeway you will be able to see the beautiful groves of trees. This is an easy flat hike except for a few steps off the boardwalk. Benches are located at the lookouts. Bring your binoculars for bird and wildlife watching at the lookouts. read more

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Absolutely beautiful place. It has a boardwalk that is good for those who have knee or arthritis problems. As the name suggests it is full of elfin trees. There are places where the boardwalk leads to that are inside the elfin trees, super cool. Good for people who have kids who like climbing trees. #locallegend read more

Easy neighborhood parking and lots of clear signs. I appreciated the several trail heads and ways to get into the park. The wooden elevated walking paths make this very accessible for kids and beginners. We enjoyed the signs, occasional benches for rest, and lookout points. Would absolutely go back! read more

This place was absolutely beautiful and so peaceful. My boyfriend and I decided to come here to take a little walk and I'm glad we did. There isn't really shade so definitely wear sunblock and bring sunglasses and or a hat but there is seating/lookout/rest areas if needed. Parking is tricky because you're parking at the end of residential streets that only have a few extra spots (3-5) and because of this there are also no restrooms so go before! You have little walking trails, gorgeous views, and depending on which street you park down you can make the trail as long or as short as possible. We decided to park as close to the beginning of the trail as possible as I can't walk very far. The walk itself was also pretty flat with the exception of going from the car to the actual trail but it was sandy on some and the rest was on a wooden boardwalk that looped if you wanted. It was a nice walk if you're looking for something to do. read more

Los Osos Elfin Forest - Parks Near Me

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Stumbled upon this lovely little trail on a sunny Saturday afternoon while in Los Osos exploring some new hiking spots I haven't been to yet in the area (with my two fur babies). This trail offers amazing views of the San Luis Obispo green rolling hills on one side and the ocean on the other. There were multiple loops to enjoy while walking this trail and ample benches/seating throughout. Highly recommend if you are looking for a great spot to take your dogs on-leash. I will surely be back again soon! read more

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Lovely walk on a overcast day. It is mostly a manmade wood walkway, except for the very beginning. Not many trees, and was thinking it might not smell very good if its a hot day. But, it really is a nice, beautiful walk overall. read more

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Beautiful, well maintained, easy, relaxing stroll. The main loop is just a morsel longer than a mile, if taking the lookout branches. The entire way is trailed out with a wooden plank walkway, sprinkled with plenty of benches, spots of shady areas, and dog pick-up stations. You can take the trail a little longer, should you prefer, but the main loop with lookouts is approximately a mile. Walkers, strollers, dogs on leashes and wheelchairs are all welcome. The easiest access for those with wheels or walking disabilities would be off the 16th street entrance. The street is marked with a handicapped symbol. Taking this entrance will avoid a short distance of sand that the other spots have. Any of the entrances from 11th to 17th will work to get you there though. Along your walk you'll find informative signs plus QR Codes to scan which will take you to more in-depth information about plants and wildlife. You'll learn about Spittle Bugs, Sticky Monkey Flowers, Poison Oak, and about why the forest is named Elfin. The mighty Oak trees are dwarfed in size giving them the magical feeling of being in a forest for elves. You'll see spectacular views of Morro Bay plus Rose's garden is a fantastic place to sit and enjoy the cool tranquility of the surrounding Oak tree offshoots. You'll need to share your walk with birds, rabbits, lizards, butterflies and the occasional rabbit or deer. Definitely a great way to enjoy nature and stop and remember how beautiful our great Earth is. Enjoy!! read more

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Elf Portrait Checked this place out at the end of the day to take in the sunset on our last night visiting Morro Bay (MB). The Good: *Really close to MB; only about a 10-15min drive *All the trails are fairly flat, well-maintained and most are a wooden boardwalk. Great place to bring elderly folks or the morbidly obese, like myself. *Gorgeous views The Bad: *Not a lot of actual official parking from what I could tell. We had to park ifo a neighbor's house. The Ugly: *Bugs! Lots of tiny, biting bugs made waiting for the sun to set a nightmare. Not sure if it's always like this or it was just a dusk thing but bring your repellant! read more

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Beautiful place to take a nature walk (probably can't be considered a hike, since it's fairly short and all flat). A lot of the walk is on well-kept boardwalk with a wide views of Morro Bay. There's also a few short off-trail stops with benches under the trees for a little break. Our small pre-school age children loved the walk and had no trouble doing it independently so it's also easy on the parents! Cons: Not a lot of parking at the trailhead, maybe enough space for like 4-5 cars, but it wasn't a very busy park. Can be very windy at the vista points. read more

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Fresh air and beautiful views, what else could anyone want from a pretty day hike in the Delfina Forest! Bring plenty of sunscreen and water because you'll spent time enjoying the lovely weather! read more

My family & I visited the Elfin Forest for the 1st time in late July-it was magical! Very easy & relaxing 1 mile loop. I took lots of cool b&w photos. I went to nearby Cal Poly in the early 90's and never heard of this place! So glad we found it by chance. read more

This very easy walking trail is dedicated to the Fairbanks family who were killed in a car accident in 1995. This was their favorite place. There is a path to see their daughter's Seina's, favorite view. Mostly all of the trail is on a boardwalk. There are marked signs on the boardwalk with QR codes describing various plants. I thought this was very cool. No, I didn't see any elves. It's called the Elfin Forrest to describe the Pygmie Oak trees growing there. The views are incredible from any direction, many with Morro Rock in the background. There are benches so you can take in the view. There are 2 entrances, one off 11th street and one off of 16th street..this one has wheelchair access. It's an easy walk and quite picturesque! read more

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One of my favorite places! It's a lovely boardwalk that takes you through the beautiful native plants. Fantastic views and a nice place to walk friendly dogs on leash! Please remember that the boardwalk is one way! Look out for arrows that tell you which way to go and have a great time read more

Los Osos Elfin Forest - Views - Parks Near Me

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I was in the Morro Bay Area and had to come here for a walk and the scenery. We parked on the 11th street and walked up to where the signs for the Elfin Forest was. We had to walk up the trail of sand and eventually there was the boardwalk loop. It was nice but it was a very foggy morning. Will have to come back one day when there is sun. read more

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We did the main loop and the boardwalk/path is wonderfully maintained and perfect for an easy stroll. I loved all the informative signage and plaques indicating plant names along the path. There are plenty of benches throughout the forest for you to sit and take in your green surroundings. Definitely check out Siena's view and watch the birds do their thing. You'll definitely find peace and quiet at the Elfin Forest. read more

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Came w some friends on a cloudy day. It was a nice walk, but not much to see on a cloudy day. Lots of entry points. The mossy forests look pretty though it was only a short section of them. read more

My wife, daughter, and I are regular visitors to nearby Morro Bay, and we enjoy visiting the Elfin Forest at least once during annual visits. The parking situation is odd--you park at the end of residential streets--and there are no restrooms (hence my review offering 4 stars instead of 5), but the forest itself is cool, and the wooden walkways winding through it are awesome. The walkways wind up, down, and around the forest, offering spectacular views of the estuary, as well as Morro Rock in the distance. We enjoy late afternoon/early evening visits because the ocean and sky look stunning. As you walk the walkways, keep an out for hidden benches and secret coves! Overall, I'd say this is a must-see if you're new to the Morro Bay / Los Osos area. Enjoy! read more

Wandered along this trail with a coffee on our last day to stretch our legs and see one last sight before hitting the road! Serene and relaxing stroll with pretty views of the water and Morro Bay rock. read more

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Loved, def a cute experience for kids. Don't make it your whole trip to morro bay but make it part of your trip to morro bay. Plenty to do in SLO read more

Los Osos Elfin Forest - Parks Near Me

A family-friendly walk through coastal brackish marsh on a well maintained wooden boardwalk.. At one mile (or longer if you take the secret trails) it's a perfect place to take smaller kids. The views are great and there are informational stops and viewpoints along way. Tip - For those of you that are more adventurous you'll notice wooden stairs leading off the boardwalk on the North Eastern part of the loop. You can take this dirt trail north. Or just look for dirt trails with cable borders that lead away from the boardwalk. One of these trails leads to a Oak Grove which is a lot more secluded than the Rose Bowker grove.. Again, look for openings around 15 and 16 on the map. I suspect these dirt trails are used for the docent tours.. Parking is available at the end of a few cul-de-sacs along Santa Ysabel Ave. Note that not all lots allow cars to park. read more

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Absolutely stunning and pristine gem, with almost no one around. After a few hours in Morro Bay (itself, a very cute town), we hit the Elfin Forest and had the place almost to ourselves. In the hour we were there we saw about six people, one of whom was a volunteer. The nature, views, air and solitude made us feel like we'd stepped back in time. It's clear that the organization that created and cares for this unique place has put its heart and soul into everything. It's such a treasure. read more

Los Osos Elfin Forest - Hey look, a different view toward Morro Bay - Parks Near Me

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Sweet little walk but not much to see There are much better trails in area to see and enjoy. read more

What a hike not sure you can call it a hike but a walk on boardwalk is more like it. It's also lets dogs which is a plus for us. Hard to find if coming from Morro Bay RV park bc yelp location is wrong and no signs that I saw. But it's a wonderful short loop with lookouts along the way. Fun time for us and our dog. When to do it a second time after determining that other trail in State Park are no dogs but I forgot the leash. read more

Entering and leaving Los Osos numerous times over a long weekend I couldn't help but notice the signs pointing to the Elfin Forest. Elfin Forest? It sounded like a place for fairies, gnomes, and hobbits pretty much ensuring I'd make time to visit. An elfin forest is one in which pygmy trees grow. The city of Los Osos has erected an orderly raised wooden pathway through the forest with several paths ending at breathtaking overlooks of the bay. The entirety of the Elfin Forest pathway system is less than 1 mile making it a non-strenuous outdoor experience for those with small children or those just looking to amble casually through a pretty spot. If you're seeking a hike, go elsewhere. If you're seeking pretty views and a pleasant place to clear your head, this'll do. Dogs are permitted, the paths are well marked, and it strikes me that coming here at sunset with a bottle of wine and a couple of drinking glasses would make a great personal happy hour. There's a sad and poignant story about the origins of this boardwalk in the Elfin Forest. Take time to read the signs and printed material on-site and you'll understand its inspiration. No fairies seen this time, but I'll keep looking. Other stuff: * Enter on 16th Street and the path is fully wheelchair accessible. read more

Los Osos Elfin Forest - An elevated wooden path leads your way thru the entire forest. - Parks Near Me

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Never tire of this walk- love that it is now wheelchair accessible and was able to bring my mom to enjoy. Various paths some on dirt trails others on wooden path. Quail and rabbits can be seen scampering around. Lovely view of Morro Bay Rock - guided tours available. Great walk to enjoy with your leashed dog- stands with poop bags available. read more

Los Osos Elfin Forest - Parks Near Me

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Nice well-preserved nature area with great views of the Morro Bay estuary. There are plank walkways and some benches to sit in. The prescribed path is circular and, to us and our grandchildren, is long and tiring. Not a very exciting place unless you make it so. We maintained a fairy dialogue as to those elfs lived here, stayed hidden, can you see where they might sleep, or have a campfire of gather for a meeting? We are pleased that the county did invest in preserving this historical area used by natives long before settlers moved into the area. Bring a jacket as the fog moves in and there is almost always an ocean breeze to cool things down. read more

Beautiful views and a relaxing walk through the Pygmy oaks of Los osos. Perched above the estuary with views of morro rock.

This is an easy one mile walk on a well-maintained boardwalk. Not a whole lot to see - shrubs and some dwarf oak trees. Not the best hike on a hot day unless you like sunburn and sweat as there is no shade. There are a couple of vista points with views of Morro Rock but there are other places with much better views. Good place to go just to stretch your legs for a bit. read more

Los Osos Elfin Forest - Parks Near Me

I loved the Elfin Forest, but it wasn't quite as I had expected. I did not see any elves, gnomes or fairies...only a few trolls. So, the Effin' Forest is basically a mile-long wooden boardwalk trail above the Morro Bay estuary filled with shrubs and plants along with the interesting addition of Pygmy Oak trees. From a distance, the oaks look like big bushes, but up-close, they are smallish oak trees with really cool trunks and branches that can be explored in several areas (look for small paths to guide you under the pygmies - don't bushwhack as there is poison oak!) I learned the small oaks are around 100 years old! About half-way through the walk, there are two separate spots to view the estuary and Morro Rock in the distance - beautiful on a clear, sunny day. The wooden boardwalk makes this a nice place for non-hikers, or folks with limited hiking ability - no steep, slippery or difficult-to-navigate sections, only a slight elevation change and sandy access paths to gain entry to the boardwalk. Finding the forest is very easy as there is good signage through Los Osos and multiple streets to park on with sandy access paths. For me, the Effin' Forest was a really cool spot and was a great outdoor family attraction good for an hour-long walk before heading to Sylvester's for a gutbuster lunch (maybe a good place to walk off a Sly's burger?) I love outdoor, non-touristy attractions and the Elfin' Forest is right up my alley. 4 solid stars! read more

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We followed the boardwalk, accessible, trail past several California live oaks that, due to the local environment, are stunted in spite of being centuries old. Unfortunately, we witnessed a pair of youths swinging from the branches of these precious trees while there mother was busy talking on phone. read more

Los Osos Elfin Forest - Parks Near Me

We love that this trail has a 1 mile boardwalk because even during rainy and muddy days we can enjoy being outside without getting our shoes muddy. Don't get me wrong, sometimes we love hiking in the mud but not when we did not plan for it. The views of the Morro Bay estuary and state parks are breathtaking. If you want to see a forest that has around 200 different species of plants then you'll love it here. We were lucky that we found parking. There is only like 5 parking spaces and people love coming here with their dogs. If you plan to come then come early. It is worth waking up early to get out here. Great way to start the day by taking a short walk in such a beautiful place. read more

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Always good for a walk and a relax of time. Enjoy. Leave no footprints, be kind and all is well

This is a very well executed preserve with pamphlets, informative stops, and a well maintained boardwalk. In addition to the boardwalk there are several other sand paths that you can explore and get a closer experience to the Elfin Oaks. You can enter or exit on many different streets which is nice, so you can mix up your walks if you frequent here. The Audubon society and others do nature walks here to help you learn more about the local flora and fauna as well. read more

Los Osos Elfin Forest - Not a bad spot to look over the bay - Parks Near Me

The most breathtaking walk near the marsh lands. You can watch the ducks swimming around in the marshes diving for food. They have wooden paths that take off in different direction so great to explore. They have little niches with benches you can relax on. Amazing views right before sunset. You can easily access the trail through residential streets. read more

Los Osos Elfin Forest - Amazing sunsets here. - Parks Near Me

Enchanting stroll and the perfect way to start your day! Stumbled upon this place before heading into a state park up the road and so happy we did! This isn't a hike by any means, it's a leisurely stroll that offers views of Morro Bay in the distance and is surrounded by green hills on the other side. About a mile total in distance you can expect a few view points and gorgeous oak trees, as well as wildflowers and benches strategically placed along a wooden boardwalk to spend some relaxing moments at. This is a nature preserve protecting a unique plant community along the beach and tucked away in a neighborhood which offers plenty of street parking. Expect lots of birds, butterflies and snails. The trees here are exceptionally gorgeous and there's lots of moss on them. Pet friendly as well! Great for anyone looking for a very easy and free walk in a beautiful forest on the beach. Loved it! read more

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A nice and easy mile walk that is wheel chair or stroller accessible. You can even see Morro Rock and the bay from one of the viewpoints. Now, this isn't typical forest that comes to mind, it is more of a marsh but there are some stops or viewpoints that gives it a forest feel. It is a beautiful boardwalk with some dirt trail forks if you want to explore a bit more. There is also signs along the trail that tell you a bit of the history of the area and information of the plants around you. In my opinion , this is a cool place to also take the kids (nephews and nieces for me) so they can appreciate nature, but short enough where they don't get bored and lose interest. read more

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Lovely ambling walk (definitely not a hike), with a variety of paths and gorgeous views and history. Do stop to read the stories on your way. read more

What a nice little walk through different environments. One end of the walk dead ends overlooking the sand dunes, Morro Rock and the whole bay area. Part of another section goes through the Pygmy oak trees. This makes for some beautiful photos. You can't get lost because it goes in a loop. The boardwalk makes it so easy to follow and walk. We are so happy we found this little hidden gem. We spent an hour there. It's not a long walk. We got on at 16th St. which has a a map box. We did not understand how to find the different numbered points of explanation. We finally realized, the numbers are on the edge of the boardwalk. We were busy looking at the view and expecting a sign but there were none. We will definitely go back on our next visit to the area. read more

Los Osos Elfin Forest - Some of the trees with growth on them that is quite interesting - Parks Near Me

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