Los Osos, Spanish for “The Bears” is located along the Pacific Coast 11 miles northwest of San Luis Obispo. There is a small business district but most of the town is almost entirely residential serving as a bedroom community of San Luis Obispo. As home to Montaña de Oro and Morro Bay State Park, there is plenty of hiking and ways to enjoy these natural resources. Also of interest is the El Moro Elfin Forest Natural Area. 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 weather features dry, warm summers and wet, mild winters.