Los Osos Valley facts for kids
The Los Osos Valley is a beautiful valley located in San Luis Obispo County, California. It's part of the Central Coast region, which is known for its stunning natural beauty.
Exploring Los Osos Valley's Geography
The Los Osos Valley is nestled between the city of San Luis Obispo and the town of Baywood-Los Osos. The town of Los Osos itself is right in the valley.
On the south side of the valley, you'll find the Irish Hills. To the north, there are five of the famous Nine Sisters mountains, which are ancient volcanic peaks.
A creek called Los Osos Creek flows through the valley. It eventually reaches its end at the southern part of Morro Bay.
A Glimpse into Los Osos Valley's History
Long ago, a very old human living site was found at Los Osos Back Bay in the Los Osos Valley. This site belonged to the ancient Chumash tribe, who were the first people to live in this area.
In 1769, the Portolá expedition traveled through the valley. A priest named Juan Crespí wrote about their journey. Later, in 1772, the valley became part of the lands belonging to the Mission San Luis Obispo.
On December 1, 1842, a man named Victor Linares was given some of the mission lands in the valley. This land became known as the Rancho Cañada de los Osos. This rancho stretched from west of San Luis Obispo to Morro Bay. It was located between the Irish Hills to the south and the Nine Sisters to the north.
In 1844, Victor Linares sold his rancho to James Scott and John Wilson. These two men also bought another nearby piece of land called Rancho Pecho y Islay. This second rancho was a strip of coastal land and the Irish Hills. Scott and Wilson combined these two ranchos into a much larger grant of land in 1845.
Amazing Parks to Explore
The Los Osos Oaks State Natural Reserve is a special place in the valley. It protects very old Coast live oaks (Quercus agrifolia) that have been growing for hundreds of years. These trees grow on top of old sand dunes just outside the town of Los Osos.
The Elfin Forest Natural Area is another cool spot. It's located on the south side of where Los Osos Creek meets Morro Bay.
