Lemon Groves Along Dana Foothill Road, Nipomo (see C-17). Photo by Alan Schmierer
Lemon Groves Along Dana Foothill Road, Nipomo (see C-17). Photo by Alan Schmierer
C - SOUTH COAST-From Avila Beach south to Oso Flaco Lake and inland
Back to BirdFinding Guide HOME
(INLAND SITES)
C-1 SEE CANYON:
DIRECTIONS: (MAP) From San Luis Obispo take US 101 south and exit right (west) about 3.5 miles
south of Los Osos Valley Rd onto San Luis Bay Drive. (From the south this exit is the next exit after the Avila Beach Drive.) In 0.9
miles turn right (north) onto See Canyon Road. See Canyon Road goes through riparian habitat, with a number of houses tucked in the
oaks. At mile 1.6 the road angles abruptly right over a bridge then passes several apple orchards. At about mile 4 the road starts
to ascend a ridge. The last driveway is at mile 4.7. The top of the grade is at about mile 5.3. Soon the road turns to gravel. At mile
5.8 there is a gated road on the left (west) side of the main road and a windmill. The main road is rather flat for the next half mile
through the oaks, then opens up into grazed hillsides and at about mile 7.0 becomes Prefumo Road (see B-23) and descends to Los Osos
Valley Road. (See Canyon Road is paved, but is a narrow winding road and is popular with mountain-bikers. All of the land on both
sides of the road is private property. There are only limited safe places to park without blocking driveways. For all of these
good reasons it is not often birded, with the exception of owling... see below.)
BIRDING: The easiest part of the road to bird is the upper part, from the top of the grade (mile 5.3) to the beginning of Prefumo Road.
There are no houses visible and there are good places to pull off the road safely. Traffic is minimal. The whole length of the road is
good for OWLING, especially the first few miles and the gravel section. Late winter into early spring tends to be best, but as with any
owling it is unpredictable. GREAT HORNED and SCREECH OWLS are expected. PYGMY, LONG-EARED and SPOTTED OWLS are less common. SAW WHET
OWLS are perhaps the rarest. (Before attempting to owl this area: 1) Explore the road by daylight so that you know where houses are
and where it is safe to park; and 2) Call the Sheriff’s Department (781-4550) to tell them when you will be there so that they can
reassure any concerned residents who might report suspicious activity in their neighborhood!)
C-2 BOB JONES BRIDGE / TRAIL:
DIRECTIONS: (MAP) From San Luis Obispo southbound on US 101, take the San Luis Bay Drive exit
and go west to its end where it tees into Avila Beach Drive. From the south on US 101, take the Avila Beach Drive exit and go west
to its junction with San Luis Bay Drive. From this junction continue another 1.4 miles west on Avila Beach Drive. Just as the road
bends left park along the main road or take a left onto San Miguel Street and park.
BIRDING: Walk the bridge over the creek. This joins the Bob Jones Trail. Bird the willows and riparian habitat along the trail down
stream or up stream. (The trail is generally flat, paved and accessible to all. It is about 1.5 miles long, end to end.)
Look for BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS, and BULLOCK’S ORIOLES. Check the willows for MIGRANTS. Check the willows for MIGRANTS. In winter check the pools up and down stream for COMMON GOLDENEYES, HOODED MERGANSERS, CORMORANTS and all the local egrets and herons.
C-3 CAL POLY PIER:
DIRECTIONS: (MAP) From #C-2, continue another 0.5 miles west on Avila Beach Drive. Park on the
left (water side) near the base of the long pier. (This pier is the property of Cal Poly and is closed to the public. Do not block
access to the locked gate.)
BIRDING: Check the rocks along this section of shore for ROCK-LOVING SHOREBIRDS (The last county ROCK SANDPIPER was seen here). Check
the bay for wintering SEADUCKS, LOONS and GREBES. (Generally accessible to all, but climbing a few rocks gives better views of the
shore.)
C-4 PORT SAN LUIS:
DIRECTIONS: (MAP) From #C-3, continue west along Avila Beach Drive for another mile or so to the
end.
BIRDING: Scope the bay from the parking lot and / or the pier for wintering SEADUCKS, LOONS and GREBES. This area is not birded as much
as Morro Bay Harbor but has good possibilities for RED-NECKED GREBES, LONG-TAILED DUCKS and WHITE-WINGED and BLACK SCOTERS. Scope the
rocks to the north and west for ROCK-LOVING SHOREBIRDS. (Easy access to all.)
C-5 SHELL BEACH ROAD COASTAL ACCESS SITES:
DIRECTIONS: (MAP) From US 101 north or south-bound, take the Avila Beach Drive exit. Take the
frontage road that goes south on the ocean side of US 101 which is Shell Beach Road.
There are a number of coastal access points along Shell Beach Road (becomes Price Street). From Avila Beach Drive exit:
C-6 PISMO CREEK MOUTH:
DIRECTIONS: (MAP) From San Luis Obispo and #C-5 and other points north exit US 101 at Rte 1
(Dolliver St). In about 0.8 miles turn right (west) onto Addie Street and park. (From northbound US 101 take the Price Street exit,
and go left (west) under the freeway bridge. Take the first available left (west) and go 1 block to Rte 1 (Dolliver St). Turn left
(south) on Rte 1 and in 2-3 blocks turn right (west) onto Addie Street and Park.)
BIRDING: There are several areas worth birding here, depending on season:
C-7 MEADOWCREEK:
DIRECTIONS: (MAP) From San Luis Obispo drive south on US 101 and exit at Rte 1 (Dolliver St.).
Go south through Pismo Beach for a little over 1.5 miles and park on the right (west) side of the road at the Monarch Butterfly
Preserve. (Approaching on US 101 from the south: take Grand Ave exit and drive to the far west end. Just over the tracks at the west
end of Grand Ave, turn right (north) on Rte 1 for 0.5 miles and park.)
BIRDING: Walk through the open monarch butterfly area and take the trail at the northwest end. It crosses a small bridge. One can
walk upstream for several hundred yards in a small riparian willow area. One can also walk left (west and south) along the edge of
a golf course, and / or north into the campground. This area can be a good spot for migrating and wintering WARBLERS and other PASSERINES.
The large eucalyptus groves has had wintering SUMMER TANAGERS.
C-8 “OCEANO” (PISMO BEACH STATE PARK, OCEANO LAGOON / CAMPGROUND):
DIRECTIONS: (MAP) (Detail Map) From #C-7 continue another 1.5
miles south on Rte 1 (1.0 mile south of the Grand Ave traffic light) and turn right (west) at a traffic light onto Pier Ave. There
are several ways to enter the area: one is to take the first right (north) onto Norswing and park at the corner of Coolidge; another
approach is to park just before the Pier Ave bridge on the left and walk the trail north along the east edge of the small lake; and
another approach is to park at the same location and walk north along the west edge of the small lake. (All of the trails in this
area are on flat ground. The trails can be muddy in the rainy season. Much of the walking, however, is on paved roads around the
campground are and is accessible to all.)
BIRDING: This area, generally just called “Oceano” by local birders, is one of the very best birding spots in the county and in
the state!!! It is best known for WARBLERS and other PASSERINES during migration and winter. On map C-8 the 2 noted parking
areas are shown. The trails and roads are marked in pink. The roads and trails marked with pink and large yellow spots are perhaps the
best area, but the whole area is excellent birding. The list of rarities is long, and most recently included YELLOW-THROATED and
YELLOW-GREEN VIREOS, PROTHONOTARY and BLACKBURNIAN WARBLERS, PAINTED REDSTART, OVENBIRD, BALTIMORE ORIOLE and SUMMER TANAGERS.
(We encourage the use of radios / walkie-talkies tuned to 11.22 when birding here during migration to see who is birding there and
what has been seen,)
C-9 OCEANO COMMUNITY POND:
DIRECTIONS: (MAP) See directions to #C-8. Turn onto Pier Ave and turn left (south)
on Norswing. Park mid-way along the road where the gulls are congregated. (Accessible to all.)
BIRDING: Another great birding spot! There are a number of domestic ducks and geese at this pond that are fed regularly by the locals.
This and the fresh water attract a sizable flock of GULLS in the winter that should be checked for rarities. An assortment of unusual DUCKS,
GEESE and MERGANSERS show up over the course of an average winter.
C-10 ARROYO GRANDE CREEK / MOUTH:
DIRECTIONS: (MAP) (Detail Map) From the C-8, 9 area continue west
on Pier Ave almost to the ocean and turn left (south) onto Strand Way. Drive almost to the end of Strand Way, take a left (east) onto
Utah St. and park. (Parking can be a challenge on weekends.) (Walking at this location is short in distance, but is mostly in
deep sand.)
BIRDING: Walk to the south end of Strand Way and then a few hundred yards through the sand to the edge of the creek mouth pool.
(See MAP C-10) Check the pool and up the creek a ways for SHOREBIRDS, GULLS and TERNS in migration and winter. This area has
been historically the best in the county for TROPICAL KINGBIRDS.
C-11 22nd STREET / SILVER SPUR STABLES AREA:
DIRECTIONS: (MAP) From the Pier Ave – Rte 1 junction, go south on Rte 1 for 1.2 miles and turn
right (west) on 22nd Street. Past the bridge turn right on Silver Spur Way. In 0.4 miles turn right (east) onto a dirt side road.
Park off the road at the first bend in this road; where a track goes up onto the dike.
BIRDING: Walk up on the dike and scan the pastureland and the willows along the creek. Often the fields here have standing water from
irrigation and high water table. During these conditions it is ideal for GEESE, WILSON’S SNIPES and other GRASS-LOVING SHOREBIRDS.
One can walk (but do not drive) either direction along the dike. It is generally more productive left (north), where the
road passes an area of pines (good for WARBLERS in migration), and then turns into a trail through the willows (good for WARBLERS in
migration), ending on the south edge of the mouth of Arroyo Grande Creek (see MAP C-10). If there is not much water in the
creek, one can cross to the north bank dike road at the creek mouth and walk back upstream. Walking up that dike, just past
the waste treatment area a small road right (west) crosses back over the creek to the area of pines mentioned on the south dike road,
and one can walk back to the car park.
C-12 OSO FLACO LAKE:
DIRECTIONS: (MAP) (Detail Map) Continue south on Rte 1 from the
Oceano area. Shortly after Rte 1 descends off of the Nipomo mesa, turn right (west) on Oso Flaco Rd. Drive to the far west end of the
road and park in the lot (day-use fee of $5 [$4 for seniors] or a season pass required; porta-potty rest rooms). (As an
alternate approach from the north, one can exit US 101 at Tefft Road. Go west on Tefft Road, bearing left as it forks, then turn
left (south) in a few blocks onto Orchard Rd. In 0.7 miles bear right onto Division Street. Drive another 1.9 miles after reaching
the bottom of the mesa and bear right onto Oso Flaco Rd.) From the south, Oso Flaco Road can be approached from Santa Maria to Rte 1
and then turning north through Guadalupe.
BIRDING: A premier birding spot! During migration the edges of the parking lot, the road to the lake and the willows
near the lake can be excellent for WARBLERS and other PASSERINES. The boardwalk over this marsh-edged lake offers a unique view of
the wildlife. WATERFOWL in winter are sometimes very close to the viewer. AMERICAN BITTERNS, SORAS (winter) and VIRGINIA RAILS can
often be viewed. All of the county SWALLOWS linger here to feed in late summer / early fall. In summer (May into August) LEAST TERNS
that nest on the nearby beaches come here to feed, often sitting on the boardwalk rails. Following the walkway past the lake one goes
through beautiful sandy coastal scrub habitat, home to CALIFORNIA THRASHERS, WRENTITS, BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERS, and the like. Scope the
ocean for SOOTY SHEARWATERS, SCOTERS, LOONS and GREBES in fall and winter. Walk south along the beach to the creek outlet to check for
SHOREBIRDS and wintering GULLS. (The parking lot and paved road to the lake are generally accessible to all, although the rest rooms
are somewhat of a problem. The last 100 yards or so of the road are dirt and sometimes muddy. There is a boardwalk across the lake and to
the sand beach, with another rest room part way out. The latter part of the boardwalk is usually covered with deep blow-sand and walking
on the beach the sand is deep and soft. Distances: to the lake = 0.22 miles; to the far end of the lake = 0.40 miles [total]; to the far
rest rooms = 0.80 miles; to the beach = 1.00 mile; to the creek outlet = 1.25 miles.)
(INLAND SITES)
C-13 ARROYO GRANDE CREEK IN THE VILLAGE:
DIRECTIONS: (MAP) Take the Grand Ave / CA 227 exit off US 101. Drive east on Rte 227 for a few
blocks past Traffic Way and take the next right (south) onto Bridge Street, then an immediate left (east) into a
parking area behind the shops. Park anywhere along this long parking lot.
BIRDING: The riparian area for a few blocks in this area is more-or-less accessible from the parking lot, footbridge and a few crude
trails. Sometimes “good” WARBLERS and VIREOS show up here in migration, but the highlight is the appearance of CASSIN’S KINGBIRDS in
the winter. The high winter count was 54 in 04-05. They roost in the trees at night and are best looked for early in the morning
feeding on ivy berries with Robins and Cedar waxwings. Listen for the KINGBIRD’S distinctive call.
C-14 LOPEZ LAKE COUNTY PARK:
DIRECTIONS: (MAP) (Detail Map) Take the Arroyo Grande Grand
Ave / CA 227 exit off of US 101 and go east on Rte 227. Drive through the village of Arroyo Grande and over a small hill. At the
stop sign take a right (east) off of Rte 227 onto Huasna Road; signed to Lopez Lake. Huasna Road becomes Lopez Drive. In 7.0 miles
from the stop sign the road crosses the Lopez Lake Dam. In another 2.6 miles the road crosses a small arm of the lake. (Just over
the arm there is a road to the right. This is Hi Mountain Road and will be the starting point in the directions for C-15, 16 and 17.)
Continue straight on Lopez Rd and you will soon see the entrance station. (There is a $ 7.00 day use fee. In
part accessible to all. The trail along the edge of the lake is strenuous in hot weather.)
BIRDING: The whole lake is of interest, but is only accessible at this end. There are no places to stop along the approach on Lopez
Drive. The park is all in the oak habitat, making WILD TURKEYS, HUTTON’S VIREOS, ACORN WOODPECKERS and OAK TITMICE common breeders.
The fresh water is the main attraction for birders. From the fee station bear right (north) and take this main road over the hill
through the campground and down to lake level. Walk or drive this road along the edge of the lake. Depending on season and water
levels this arm of the lake is good for a variety of DUCKS, GREBES and SHOREBIRDS. OSPREYS and BALD EAGLES are often seen. BALD EAGLES
breed here. There is a locked gate at the end of this arm. One can park there and walk the edge of the arm up to the Mabel French
Boy Scout camp (see C-15b). Crossing the arm one has access to the trail along the north shore of the lake.
C-15 UPPER LOPEZ CANYON:
DIRECTIONS: (MAP) (Detail Map) From the intersection of Lopez Drive and Hi Mountain Road (see directions
in #C-14), take Hi Mountain Road east. In 0.8 miles turn left (north) onto Lopez Canyon Road.
BIRDING:
C-16 HI MOUNTAIN ROAD:
DIRECTIONS: (MAP) (Detail Map) From the intersection of Lopez
Drive and Hi Mountain Road (see directions in C-14) take Hi Mountain Road east.
BIRDING: Hi Mountain Road is paved for about 5-6 miles as it goes through private homesites and ranches. It then turns into a narrow
dirt road, soon enters National Forest land, and in another 6 miles joins the road to Hi Mountain itself. (See #D-18) (This
road is narrow and steep in places, and crosses a creek 4 or 5 times. After rains this road can be slippery, and impassible due to deep
water and erosion at these crossings!!) The birding along the road is difficult and the habitat is not unique. This road
is included just to inform the reader of a fair-weather alternate route to Hi Mountain. It is slow driving!
C-17 DANA FOOTHILL ROAD:
DIRECTIONS: (MAP) From US 101 on the north edge of Nipomo exit east onto North Thompson Ave.
In 2.2 miles turn left (northeast) onto Mehlschau Road. In 1 mile this tees into Dana Foothill Rd.
BIRDING: Turn right on Dana foothill Rd. The road passes through lemon groves for the next 0.9 miles. Look and listen
along this stretch of road for COMMON GROUND DOVES. This is the only place in the county where these birds are seen. Check the weedy
areas for SPARROWS and sometimes LAWRENCE’S GOLDFINCHES. Check the eucalyptus trees for CASSIN’S KINGBIRDS and BULLOCK’S ORIOLES that
breed here. Dana Foothill Road becomes a dirt road. This short section up to Rancho Road is good for WHITE-TAILED KITES, NORTHERN HARRIERS
and LOGGERHEAD SHRIKES. (Accessible to all.)
