Hidden coastal camping gems await near Los Osos in Central California.
Roughly halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles on the central coast of California, the Los Osos region promises an immersive outdoor experience for camping enthusiasts. Meaning “the bears” in Spanish, Los Osos was named for the grizzly bears that once inhabited the area. Explore where the bears roamed on coastal bluffs and secluded sandy shores while camping around Montaña de Oro State Park, just south of town. Expect big starry nights and quiet backcountry trails for spotting bobcats, California quail, and black-tailed deer. Accommodating trailers and motorhomes up to 27 feet, the Spooner’s Cove campground offers amenities like fire rings, picnic tables, water spigots, and toilets. Morro Bay State Park, north of town, is another coastal option with natural bay habitats, brackish marshes, and opportunities to go kayaking, birdwatching, and fishing for lingcod, rockfish, and halibut. Enjoy the convenience of shower facilities and water-fill stations, plus firewood for sale from the campground host. Some RV sites in Morro Bay also offer electrical hookups.