The Elfin Forest Natural Area is a nature preserve protecting a unique plant community in Los Osos-Baywood Park, San Luis Obispo County, central California. It consists of prehistoric sand dunes, rising 150 feet above southern Morro Bay, on the north of Los Osos-Baywood Park.
Located in Los Osos, the El Moro Elfin Forest Natural Area tops the list of must-do wheelchair-accessible trails, both for the diversity of the plant life found there, and for the challenging nature of this accessible trail. It should be noted that this trail falls within the accessibility guidelines; however it’s far from straight and flat.
It’s also a bit off-the-beaten-trek, so it’s usually not very crowded. From Highway 1 take exit 277 and follow the signs to Los Osos and Baywood Park. Turn south on South Bay Boulevard, drive 2.5 miles and take a right on Santa Ysabel Avenue. From there, drive two blocks and turn right on 16th Street — look for the accessibility pictogram on the street sign — and continue along to the trailhead at the end of the road.
The El Moro Elfin Forest Natural Area is about 90 acres in size and located in Los Osos on the southeastern shore of Morro Bay. The name "Elfin Forest" comes from the short stature of the California Live Oaks, which grow as tall as 50 feet elsewhere in Los Osos. Here they are stunted by the local environment, and despite being centuries old, range from a high of 20 feet in sheltered areas to a low of 4 feet near the tallest ridge line.
The Elfin Forest is an area where many of the natural habitats of the greater Morro Bay area exist in one location with easy access. Many of the area's terrestrial plants and animals can be seen here.
In this compact preserve you can see 8 distinct environment types, each with its own cast of flora and fauna:
The 16th Street entrance is handicapped accessible.
There’s accessible parking in the small lot, and level access over to the boardwalk trail that leads through this 90-acre natural area. The 1.5-mile hike includes treks out-and-back to two overlooks, as well as a short spur into an unusual oak forest. There are low bumpers along the boardwalk to allow for unobstructed views of some decidedly unusual plants. From the colorful fuchsia-flowering gooseberry bushes, to the grove of pygmy coast live oaks, diversity is the key word in this forest.
Pick up a trail guide at the trailhead, and take the boardwalk in a clockwise direction. And don’t miss the short walks out to Bush Lupine Point and Siena’s View, where you’ll be treated to panoramic views of the estuary which supports a sizable bird population. Be sure and stop and see the Rose Bowker Grove, which is filled with 12 -foot tall dwarf oak trees, which would normally reach heights of 50 feet in other habitats. These 200-year old elf-like trees also served as the inspiration for the forest name.
It should be noted that this boardwalk trail goes up and down the hill; however it’s well within the required grade, and there are level spaces about every 30 feet. That said, it will be a challenge for manual wheelchair-users who are not in top shape, as it requires a lot of upper body strength to navigate this boardwalk. Still, the trail offers a good workout for manual wheelchair-users, and some nice variety for power wheelchair- and scooter-users.
