San Luis Obispo area photo opportunities

I am considering a trip to San Luis Obispo
to visit friends. I'll be driving from
Merced, driving in a southwesterly direction.

Do you know of any photo sites along the way
or in that area which you would recommend?

Thank you, and have a great holiday season.

Cordially,

Robert Dayton

Robert, check out Montana De Oro State Park. Also try Los Osos Oaks state preserve for some great oak trees, but keep an eye out for poison oak - it has a ton of it. Also, you can take a drive up HIghway 1 to the southern end of the Big Sur coast. It would not take all that long. You could check out Moonstone Beach park in Cambria and the elephant seals at Piedras Blancas (it is high season for viewing them) along the way. Those are a few ideas, anyway.

Thank you, Harley, for the suggestions.

The Carrizo Plain. When it's good, it's very, very good. Pronghorns, elk, raptors, kit fox. When those are absent, it's just the plain with nice oaks en route. If you go in the spring time, and if the rains of this year maintain, you may go through the most spectacular wildflower landscapes in California.

Thank you, John. You're certainly right regarding the wildflowers in a good spring year.
I've experienced that several times.

I just returned from a workshop scouting trip to Morro Bay. In addition to the sites already mentioned there are the Oceano Dunes just south of Pismo Beach. Easiest dune access is by way of the Pacific Dunes Ranch and RV Park. It is private property and a courtesy to let them know you are there if the office is open, but I have never had a problem parking by the office and walking in at sunrise or sunset.

You can also check out the Pismo Beach Monarch Butterfly grove. Photo ops are not usually great unless you are there on a warm day.

Thank you, Paul.