Estero Bluffs State Park
As we celebrate World Oceans Day today, I want to take you to the edge of the Pacific Ocean. Rocky shores, wind swept bluffs and miles of gorgeous coastline welcome you at Estero Bluffs State Park just north of Cayucos, California. The ocean is never more than 300 yards away at this scenic gem which stretches over 4 miles and covers over 300 acres of land.
History
Native California Chumash and Salinan people lived here for thousands of years before Don Gaspar de Portolá set up one of his campsites during his California overland expedition in 1769. From 1771 to 1833 this was active mission land, and then Mexico granted the land to Rafael Jośe Separio Villavicencio in 1842. Later the land was sold to Abram Muscio and used as a dairy farm. In 1965 the land was sold to developers who planned to build a large resort, but by the 1980s local residents had joined forces to stop the development and preserve this open space. Finally in 2002 Estero Bluffs join the California State Park System.
Plants & Wildlife
The sweeping bluffs are a park highlight, and rightfully so…but there are several different terrains to be discovered here, such as dunes and wetlands which often intersect with seasonal creeks as well as salt and freshwater marshes. Grasslands feature sagebrush, wildlife is abundant, and Spring wildflowers paint the hills with a rainbow of colors. Red tail hawks, mule deer, coyotes, and rattlesnakes can be viewed from the trails. Gray whales can be seen from shore migrating from December to March, and year round you can plan on spotting seals, sea otters and pelicans. There are multiple tides pools to explore with sea anemones, crabs, muscles, and more. Snowy plovers make their homes here, and some areas are protected–even off-limits to the public from March to September to protect their nests.
Trails & Shipwreck
A full hike of the bluffs is just under an easy 5 miles round-trip. The northernmost trailhead leads to the largest beach in the park where Villa Creek meets the ocean at a sandy cove. At the south end of the beach you’ll find marvelous tide pools and snowy plovers. Traveling south you’ll pass Cayucos Point and Red Rock…then the trail winds through numerous picturesque overlooks. At the southern most point of the park, you’ll be treated to a recent (2017) shipwreck surrounded by beautiful tide pools and a view of Morro Rock to the south (see my recent post on the Point Estero shipwreck here). With numerous gravel pull outs and access points, you can spend a whole day exploring or pick one area to enjoy for a brief nature getaway.
Know before you go:
• Please be considerate of the Leave no Trace Principles to help keep this place wild and beautiful.
• Park Hours are from 6 AM to sunset.
• Stay on established trails to avoid poison oak and ticks.
• Dogs are allowed on leash down coast, south of San Gerónimo Creek.
• Horses, bicycles, camping, and ground fires are not permitted in the park.
• The park has no restrooms or water, so plan ahead accordingly.
In Summary & Behind the Blog Video
Thanks for joining me in exploring one of California’s coastal state parks. For more information see my Behind the Blog video below…and until next week I hope you find adventure and encouragement wherever you go!
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