There are spectacular oceanfront hikes on California’s Central Coast, but if you want a change of pace visit Los Osos Oaks State Reserve near the charming town of Los Osos. This state park occupies an ancient dune habitat that is full of dwarfed, 800-year-old coastal live oaks.

If you’re a fan of Tolkien and the talking trees in the Lord of the Rings movies, then you will love Los Osos Oaks. About 1 ½ miles of woodland trails wind through moss-draped, gnarled trees. In many places, the closed canopy forest has multi-trunked oaks whose branches nearly meet across the trail.

The trees, although 20 to 25 feet high, have had their growth stunted due to the mineral-depleted soil that results from the relic sand dunes. Similar woodlands were once widespread along the coast, but most have fallen victim to development. Los Osos Oaks itself was part of a Mexican land grant that was eventually divided into farm and ranchland. A campaign was launched in the early 70s to preserve these remaining 90 acres as a state reserve.

Three major plant communities exist in the preserve: coastal sage scrub, coast live oak woodland, and the riparian area which follows the banks of Los Osos Creek. Los Osos Oaks is also the home of several species of lichen that can’t be found anywhere else.

Because of the variety of habitat, this is a birding haven. Everything from great horned owls to American kestrels to hummingbirds, woodpeckers and California quail are regular visitors. They are most common in spring and fall, and the hours just after sunrise and before sunset are best for viewing.

An easy, flat system of trails covers about 1 ½ miles. Don’t be discouraged by the traffic noise at the beginning of the walk. The sound disappears as you move deeper into the preserve.

Some visitors with limited mobility can negotiate the terrain, but wheel chair access is impeded by soft, sandy soil. There is no entrance fee, and there are no restrooms, telephones or facilities for picnicking or camping.

The reserve is located on Los Osos Valley Road, just outside the town of Los Osos. The two small parking lots are not well-marked.