Oso Flaco Lake

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Highway 1, Monterey, California

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Zoos and Aquariums, Parks and Gardens
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Oso Flaco Lake

by IWW639

New Orleans, Louisiana

July 28, 2000

My date and I strolled up the path in the tiny nature preserve. We reached the edge of the lake and started across the boardwalk. The fog seemed to be coming out of the pond rather than the sky. We reached the far end of the little lake and found ...Read more My date and I strolled up the path in the tiny nature preserve. We reached the edge of the lake and started across the boardwalk. The fog seemed to be coming out of the pond rather than the sky. We reached the far end of the little lake and found ourselves amongst towering sand dunes. The boardwalk took us deep into the sparsely vegetated dunes. We passed a person here, the only other one here on this weekday early evening. Another half mile or so would land us on isolated beach... The beach is isolated only by distance and the fact that ATV's are not permitted. You may see a few surfers if the conditions are right. Oso Flaco Lake (skinny bear for you gringos), is more like a pond. It is supposed to be shaped like the bears that once inhabited the area, but with the everchanging dunes surrounding it I doubt that it still holds the same shape as when it was named. The lake and boardwalk are part of Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Park. It's one of the few undeveloped coastal ecosystems in California, and one of the largest remaining Dune systems in the U.S.. They also have guided hikes. Call 805/343-2455 Drive south on Hiway 1 until you're completely out of town. Watch for signs saying Guadalupe 10 miles or so. Just when you're thinking of turning around because you think you're never going to get there, there it will be. You still won't see it, I'm not even sure that the right turn into the lettuce field is marked. Drive thru the lettuce field to a small dirt lot with a tiny guard shack. The lot gets locked up after dark, but go ahead and park there. You don't want to hang around too much after dark. Your car will get broken into given enough time. You may have to pay a small fee ($2 or so) if the guard shack is occupied, but if you go right around dusk it may be empty and you can just walk around the gate. Your visit should only take an hour and dusk is the best time, in my opinion. Take a picnic if you don't mind the sand, or have lunch or dinner in nearby Guadalupe. You'll find some of the best Mexican food here. Close

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Oso Flaco Lake

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