Last Updated on: 1st August 2023, 01:52 pm
Living in Los Osos comes with a lot of perks! The name Los Osos means “the bears” in Spanish. Los Osos is a census-designated place (CDP) located in San Luis Obispo County along California’s central coast. Los Osos is mostly a residential community with nice weather, lots of outdoor opportunities, and a good school system. With friendly neighbors and beautiful surroundings, Los Osos is a good place to live.
Here’s what you can look forward to when moving to Los Osos, California!
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Where is Los Osos California?
Los Osos is a city in San Luis Obispo County, located about 10 miles west of San Luis Obispo along the California coast. Los Osos is bordered by Morro Bay to the north and San Luis Obispo and Chorro to the east.
Los Osos Population & Demographics
The population of Los Osos is 14,465 according to the 2020 Census, which is a 2% increase since 2010.
The racial and ethnic composition of Los Osos is as follows:
- White – 81.6% (72.4 non-Hispanic)
- Two or More Races – 7.9%
- Asian – 4.2%
- American Indian and Alaska Native – 0.6%
- Black or African American – 0.4%
- Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander – 0.1%
Additional Los Osos demographics:
- Population density: 1,100/sq mi
- Median age: 47
- Sex ratio: 48.7% females to 51.3% males
- Median household income: $82,894
- Educational attainment: 93.9% high school grad or higher, 43.0% bachelor’s degree or higher (adults 25 and older)
- Foreign-born population: 8.0%
- Veteran Population: 1,040
Notable people from Los Osos include Art Clokey, who animated the famous Gumby cartoon. The crime rate in Los Osos is 1% lower than the national average, and the violent crime rate is 2% higher. Still, there are many safe neighborhoods where you will feel Los Osos is a safe place to live. The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office serves and protects the CDP of Los Osos. You can view crime activity on their crime map.
Los Osos Cost of Living – Is Los Osos, CA Expensive?
Living in Los Osos is fairly expensive. The cost of living is 40% higher than the national average but is equal to the California average. Housing is 12% higher than the state average. Here is how the cost of living in Los Osos compares to the U.S. average:
- Goods & Services – 1% lower
- Groceries – 0% higher
- Health care – 0% higher
- Housing – 108% higher
- Transportation – 16% higher
- Utilities – 61% higher
Housing in Los Osos is very expensive. The Los Osos housing market is somewhat competitive, and the median price of a home in Los Osos is $1,045,750, which is 12.6% higher than last year. Homes in Los Osos sell after about 35 days on the market compared to 9 days last year. Check out Los Osos CA homes for sale in Los Osos.
If you are planning to rent in Los Osos, the average rent is $2,800 a month, compared to the state average of $2,950.
Best Neighborhoods in Los Osos
Los Osos offers many beautiful, safe communities for you to choose from. Here are some of the best communities in Los Osos, depending on what you are looking for:
Redfield Woods | A Well-Established Community
Redfield Woods mostly consists of midsize homes with a median price of $760,000. The neighborhood was established in 1925, and homes were built there up until 2006. You’ll find various styles here and homes ranging from around 700 square feet to over 3,100 square feet. Monarch Grove Elementary is less than a half mile away.
Cuesta-by-the-Sea | Coastal Living
Those moving to Los Osos who want to be on the coast will fit in at Cuesta-by-the-Sea. Home prices average about $762,576. Most homes here were built between 1970 and 1999, but you can also find some newer homes and some dating back to 1940. Many homes here feature stunning views of the Sweet Springs Nature Preserve and Morro Bay Rock. Cuesta-by-the-Sea is only minutes away from local shops, restaurants, local beaches, and the Sea Pines Golf Resort.
Sunset Terrace | Luxury Living
Sunset Terrace features large, beautiful homes with a median price of $844,475, but can go up to over $1,000,000. Residents in this highly sought after neighborhood are close to the beach, Morro Bay, and Montana De Oro State Park.
Los Osos Weather & Climate
Los Osos California weather features comfortable, arid, and clear summers. The winters are cold, wet, and partly cloudy. The hottest month of the year is September, with an average high of 74°F and an average low of 55°F. December is the coldest month, with an average low of 44°F and a high of 62°F. Weather in Los Osos CA averages 18 inches of rain per year and no snow.
Things to do in Los Osos
What is there to do in Los Osos? Although Los Osos is almost entirely residential, you’ll find lots of outdoor activities and opportunities to get out in nature. In addition, enjoy convenient shopping at local shops and the Los Osos Rite Aid. Here are some of the best things to do in Los Osos, CA.
Montaña de Oro State Park
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Located just south of Los Osos, Montaña de Oro State Park covers over 8000 acres, including seven miles of shoreline, and is one of the largest state parks in California. Enjoy rugged cliffs, secluded sandy beaches, coastal plains, streams, canyons, and hills while hiking, mountain biking, or backpacking along one of the park’s many trails. You might see a black-tailed deer, bobcat, raccoon, California quail, or other wildlife along the way!
Montaña de Oro State Park, 3550 Pecho Valley Rd, Los Osos, CA 93402, (805) 528-0513
Foggy Bottom Distillery
Foggy Bottom is a small distillery that produces a variety of whiskeys, bourbons, gins, and spiced rums. The tasting room is a great place to sample one or more of their craft liquors in a friendly atmosphere. You can also take a tour of the distillery to see how the spirits are made.
Foggy Bottom Distillery, 905 Los Osos Valley Road, Los Osos, California 93402, 805-795-1727
Sweet Springs Nature Preserve
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Sweet Springs Nature Preserve is owned and managed by the Morro Coast Audubon Society and offers over 32 acres of scenic views and excellent bird watching opportunities. Take one of the hiking trails through saltwater marsh wetlands, where you’ll encounter cypress trees, pines, eucalyptus trees, an abundance of wildlife, and stunning views of Morro Bay and Morro Rock!
Sweet Springs Nature Preserve, 660 Ramona Ave, Los Osos, CA 93402, 805-772-1991
Additional attractions near Los Osos
If you’re looking for outdoor activities in Los Osos, the town has a state park, several nature preserves, hiking trails, a beautiful coastline, and plenty of open spaces to enjoy. Los Osos Community Park has indoor facilities, tennis courts, horseshoes, picnic areas, and a variety of recreational opportunities.
Looking for more? Check out the Los Osos Chamber of Commerce events page for upcoming events in the community.
Los Osos Restaurants
You’ll find some great local eateries in Los Osos! Here are some of the top-rated restaurants in Los Osos CA.
Celia’s Garden Café
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Celia’s serves classic American breakfast favorites all day! For lunch, enjoy burgers, melts, sandwiches, wraps, and more. The dinner menu features pasta, turkey, ribs, and seafood. Enjoy your favorite dish out on the beautiful outdoor patio or in the cozy dining room. Celia’s only serves fresh local produce, freshly squeezed local orange juice, and homemade delights such as apricot jam, salsa, desserts, muffins, and locally roasted coffee.
Celia’s Garden Café, 1188 Los Osos Valley Road, Los Osos, CA 93402, (805) 528-5711
Sylvester’s Burgers
For the best burgers on California’s central coast, head over to Sylvester’s! Every burger is carefully handcrafted using 100% natural beef and all natural ingredients. Come in on your birthday for a free burger!
Sylvester’s Burgers, 1099 Santa Ynez Ave, Baywood-Los Osos, CA 93402, (805) 528-0779
La Casita Restaurant
La Casita is the place in Los Osos for traditional and traditionally inspired Mexican cuisine. Using only fresh local produce and the highest quality ingredients, La Casita creates everything in house, including chile rellenos, tamales, salsa, salad dressings, seasonings, and various bottled sauces you can take home with you.
La Casita Restaurant, 2008 9th Street, Los Osos, CA 93402, (805) 528-2786
Jobs in Los Osos
The average salary in Los Osos is $48,091 per year, according to Payscale. The largest industries are construction, retail trade, and educational services. The highest paying industries are utilities, public administration, and professional, scientific, & technical services.
Major employers in San Luis Obispo County include:
- California Polytechnic State University
- County of San Luis Obispo
- Department of State Hospitals- Atascadero
- Pacific Gas & Electric
- California Men’s Colony
- Cal Poly Corp.
If you’re ready to explore your career opportunities in Los Osos, check out Los Osos city jobs and employment on Indeed or other job search sites.
Schools in Los Osos, CA
The Los Osos schools are part of the San Luis Coastal Unified School District and include Baywood Elementary, Monarch Grove Elementary, and Los Osos Middle. High school students in Los Osos go to either Morro Bay High School in Morro Bay or San Luis Obispo High School in San Luis Obispo. Students can also enjoy the free Los Osos Library.
The college closest to Los Osos is Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo, about 5 miles away. Stanford University in Stanford, one of the top schools in the country, is the highest ranked school in the area. The University of Southern California, enrolling 49,318 students, is the largest. Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria offers the lowest tuition in the area at $1,104 per year.
Los Osos Statistics & Information
- County: San Luis Obispo
- Area: 12.783 square miles
- Los Osos zip code: 93402, 93412
- Area codes: 805
- Elevation: 200 feet
- Time zone: Pacific Standard Time (PST)
- Closest airport: San Luis Obispo County Apt (SBP) Airport, 12 miles away
Los Osos, CA Map
Explore the area and other fun attractions and restaurants with this Los Osos CA map.
If you’re moving to Los Osos, you can count on the top-rated, dedicated Los Osos movers at Martian Movers to make your move worry-free. Give us a call today at 805-779-3844 for your free moving estimate!
