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San Luis Obispo visitor love the sunny days and cool nights, and they rave about the beautiful mountains and lovely beaches. But don't forget our flora and fauna because there’s so much to see here! For starters, find the latest in whale watching, orchid shows, elephant seal watching, birding, dune walks, San Luis Obispo nature walks, and other activities by consulting the comprehensive, regularly updated calendar of events in San Luis Obispo County.
The Audubon Society lists San Luis Obispo County as one of its top ten birding sites in the country. Morro Bay Estuary, one of the largest unspoiled coastal marshes in the state, is a major stopping point in bird migration and attracts over 200 species of native and migrating birds - waterfowl, shorebirds, birds of prey, and warblers. Impressive Peregrine Falcons, once on the verge of extinction, now nest and hunt from the cliffs of Morro Rock. The neighboring estuary attracts the graceful and elegant snowy egret.
A brochure listing local birds and birding sites can be obtained by phoning the Natural Resources Manager for San Luis Obispo County at 805-781-7211.
Elephant seals can be seen birthing, raising pups, and fighting for territory in California's largest mainland rookery near Piedras Blancas, off Highway One about seven miles north of San Simeon. These marine mammals are truly massive. They can weigh more than a small car. Threatened California sea otters also make Morro Bay home. Look beyond the breakers and you may spot a sea otter floating in a bed of kelp. The Great Gray Whale makes its passage up and down the coast twice a year.
Guided whale watching tours leave the San Luis Pier and Morro Bay daily in winter. For departure times and tickets, inquire at Virg's Landing, 1215 Embarcadero, Morro Bay, 805-772-1222.
Pismo Beach and the Central Coast play host to millions of migrating Monarch butterflies each winter. Visit the famous Pismo Monarch Grove to see the eucalyptus trees covered with these colorful butterflies.
One of the top activities in SLO County and one of the jewels of Morro Bay is the Elfin Forest Natural Area. The 1.5-mile boardwalk meanders through coastal sage and 500-year-old pygmy oaks and offers views of the Estuary as well.
Central Coast Outdoors offers a wealth of outdoor activities. Adventures with Nature, a program supported by the Central Coast Natural History Association, offers docent-led walks in Oceano Lagoon, Hazard Reef, and other nature spots. Scheduled trips are published in the Your Calendar section of the San Luis Obispo Tribune. More information is available by calling 805-772-2694.
The Environmental Center of San Luis Obispo (ECOSLO) offers free monthly docent-led weekend hikes in and around the city of San Luis Obispo. The ECOSLO website lists these hikes several months in advance.
The Natural History Museum in Morro Bay is the only museum of its kind in the State Parks system, offering a wealth of information about natural resources in this area. It is in Morro Bay State Park, within minutes of the Heron Rookery, Montana de Oro State Park, the El Moro Elfin Forest, and Audubon's Sweet Springs Nature Preserve. The museum overlooks Morro Bay which is both a state and national estuary. Entry fees are $2 for adults and free to children 16 and under. The Museum is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. every day of the year except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.