beach - ocean cliffs - camping - hiking - campfires
Montana de Oro state park. San Luis Obispo County
getting there from LA
Directions: Destination (Google Maps link) Islay Creek Campground. Head up the 101 from LA, past Santa Barbara and up past Pismo Beach towards San Luis Obispo. Just before SLO turn off on to Los Osos Valley Road which leads you to the coast and in to the State park. Campground located right opposite Spooners Cove.
Time from LA: 3 hours
Total adventure time: 1.5 days (1 night camping) or extend as you wish.
When to go: Spring & Summer are ideal. Winter also but it can get cold and wet (check the weather).
Along the way:
Santa Barbara. Stop for breakfast en route at Lilac Patisserie after an early start.
El Capitan State Beach. An excellent spot for a cool dip
Solvang. A historic market town with cafes and restaurants.
Los Olivos. A market town with cute cafes and restaurants.
Pismo Beach. Big and wide beach with many restaurants and cafes nearby.
San Luis Obispo. A larger picturesque town with great restaurants, cafes, and shops.
Kit list
Accommodations:
Tent
Sleeping bag
Roll mat
Pillow (yay for car camping!)
Camp chair per person
Firewood + firelighter
Matches or lighter (+spare)
Head torch & spare batteries
Camping stove
Gas canister (make sure it’s the right attachment valve for your stove!)
Pot & pan
Cutlery
Pen knife
Thermal mug
Metal french-press (for morning coffee)
Cooler + ice (to store perishables & beverages)
Food & drink:
Large water canister
Pasta
Primal kitchen tomato & basil sauce
Packeted tuna
Parmesan
Homemade Sweet Lauren cookies
Entertainment:
Outdoor speaker
Book
Sketch pad & pen
Camera & tripod
THE CAMPGROUND
Book via parks.ca.gov
Or take the easy route, sign up to campnab.com and let them do all the hard work
THE trail
Length: 10 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,430 ft
Out and back (although a longer loop is also possible over the top of the peak)
Should take 4-5 hours
Trailhead located right next to the campground entrance
Watch out for speedy bikers coming down the path!
recommended ENTERTAINMENT
Playlist: Portrait, by Frank Walsh
Book: Laws of Human Nature, Robert Greene
Podcast: Diary of a CEO with Deepak Chopra
Camera: Sony Alpha
The past is gone, the future is not here, now I am free of both. Right now, I choose joy
-Deepak Chopra