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Oso Flaco Lake Outing
updated: Nov 27, 2010, 10:12 AM
By Seedlady
I spent Thanksgiving afternoon at Oso Flaco ("skinny bear" in Spanish) Lake preserve area just north of Guadalupe about a mile west of Highway 1. It was gorgeous, quiet and scenic. Thanks go to the wonderful organizations and volunteers who have saved this wild area of our coast.
This area was "rescued" from the south part of Pismo Dunes State Park OHV recreational area. It had been almost totally denuded of vegetation by quads, motorcyles, and homemade dune buggies from the 50's through the 80's. The lakes were in danger of being filled with sand, so The Nature Conservancy sought to preserve and re-vegetate this area in the 90's. Now the Oso Flaco Lake area is maintained under the auspices of the non-profit Dunes Center of Guadalupe. It features two fresh-water lakes, a causeway-bridge-walkway to the beach and many opportunities to view wildlife and enjoy passive recreation on the beach. Parking fee is $5 a car per day. Some people park outside the entrance to avoid the fee, but most park inside. Free interpretive information is available at the attendant's kiosk, and at the main Dunes Center in downtown Guadalupe. The preserve closes daily at sunset.
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1. Looking back to the start of the bridge
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2. Bird habitat of re-vegetated coastal scrub; lovely informal Pacific Wax Myrtle hedge
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3. Dune grass was the first planting used to stabilize the sand, before shrubs were re-introduced
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4. The first glimpse of the sea. The boardwalk ends here nowadays; it used to terminate behind a huge dune-it was a strenuous scramble over the top to the beach. Now everyone can get a great view of the ocean from a nearby vantage-point bench.
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5. Critters use the area for hunting at night
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6. Vista-point bench view south
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I hope many Edhatters will take the short drive up to Guadalupe for a visit to this lovely and tranquil area. It has something for everyone, and will provide memories and perhaps new family outing traditions.
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