We might enjoy warm, gorgeous, sunny weather year-round here in Central California, but that doesn’t mean we don’t still get to enjoy seeing nature burst back to life in the spring! Our rolling hills become vibrant shades of green, wildflowers pop up in numerous bright hues, and buds appear at our local vineyards.
As your Central California real estate agent, I’m here to share the best places around SLO County for you to spot signs of spring, according to Visit San Luis Obispo County. Write these down and take a trip around Central California this weekend!
- Laguna Lake Park. This park is 350 acres big. It extends from San Luis Obispo to Morro Bay, with views of Cerro San Luis and a collection of nine volcanic peaks. It’s dog-friendly and has plenty of open spaces for them to enjoy, too!
- Bishop Peak Natural Reserve. This is home to oak woodland, chaparral and sage scrub habitats, up to 100 species of birds, including bald eagles and golden eagles, and lots of other wildlife, like foxes, coyotes and mountain lions. If you love hiking, there are plenty of moderate and strenuous options here!
- Reservoir Canyon Natural Reserve. This reserve was originally used to preserve water for SLO County residents. That’s why the elevation increases from 400 to 1,715 feet! It includes a moderate-to-difficult trail through lots of blooming wildflowers in the spring. Unique metal sculptures can be seen along the trail too, along with two waterfalls and a 70-foot deep cave.
- Irish Hills Natural Reserve. This is perfect as a belated St. Patrick’s Day hike! The rolling hills look like Ireland. Hike your way through them via two trailheads, which lead through oak, grasslands, chaparral and riparian habitats. You can hike, bike, horseback ride and more. You’ll have fantastic views of the Nine Sisters, all the way to Morro Bay!
- Leaning Pine Arboretum. This is ideal for anyone not wanting to venture into the wilderness. It’s located on the California Polytechnic State University campus and spotlights plants from the world’s five Mediterranean climate regions. Admission is free, and you’ll see all sorts of plant varieties that you’ve never seen before!
For more places to enjoy in SLO County, check out the full list from Visit San Luis Obispo County. Do you know of more local places to enjoy wildflowers and greenery? Share! To see buds popping at our local wineries, take a vineyard tour. To enjoy the warm weather, take a boat ride on Lake Nacimiento!
Are you ready to buy a Central California home? Are you ready to sell your Central California home? Contact me, your Central California real estate agent! I’d love to help you achieve your goals in the spring Central California real estate market.
From Grace Borzini
grace@oakshoresrealty.com