El Chorro County Park February 12-14

Day 15, 16, 17: Friday, Saturday, Sunday, February 12, 13, 14   El Chorro County Park, San Luis Obispo, CA

Our campsite at El Chorro

We headed back over to Highway 101, then south to SLO and north to El Chorro.  We had got reservations for this 3 day weekend, luckily, because the campground was full!  We found our spot and went for a walk along the trails down to the dog park, then up to the north end of the campground.  We saw a big flock of wild turkeys on the adjacent golf course, as well as Western Bluebirds in the trees.

Wild turkeys browsing on the golf course

Saturday we drove north along the ocean to Hearst Castle, were not able to get in and made a reservation for the next day.  We watched a film about the building of the castle and had a tasty lunch in the café there.  We drove north along the ocean to see Elephant Seals, lots of them, on the beach.  There were endangered in the early 1900’s, nearly extinct (20-100 left) and protected by the US and Mexico from hunting.  This Piedras Blancas breeding group began in the early 1990’s and now numbers 700-800.  Total population estimate for northern elephant seals in 1999 was around 150,000.  They have been known to dive to over 5,000 feet for food.  Very interesting and amazing animals.  

Offshore rocks and a calm ocean

Elephant seals on the beach

Sleeping elephant seal

When we got back Linda went for a bike road along back roads near the park, down O’Conner Way to West Foothills.  Jim flew his copter up on the hill near the park and got some great video.

Sunday we headed back north and went on our Hearst Castle tour.  It is quite an amazing place, and we enjoyed the stories about how it was built, and the Hollywood celebrities who visited there.  Definitely a unique spot up in the hills, and is a Preserve now so the area will not be developed.  

William Randolph Hearst had camped in this area as a boy.
The hills around the castle look the same as they did then.

Many beautiful statues

A pair of tourons

A view of the ocean to the west

Beautiful custom mosaic and tile work

Amazing light in this indoor pool

When we got back we both went for a bike ride, rode a way along Los Osos Valley Road.  There are many ranches and farms here, as well as rugged, stony peaks and ridges.  We walked with Sarah on the trails around the park a bit, as well.

Cedar Waxwings in the park

A squirrel with an ocean view