Highway 41 in Atascadero serves as a green gateways to the coastal reprieve of Morro Bay. Don’t skip a beat on the hiking experience, however. Three Bridges Oak Preserve and Trailhead is quite the educational and oak-laden experience. Expect to see extremely well-maintained trails wandering through oak groves with expansive views of the city from atop. Hiking options abound here – be sure to check in with the area map before visiting. As the trail systems gain elevation, expect a rather abrupt and eye-opening transition from low-lying oak forest to higher elevation chaparral: manzanita, coastal scrub and changing soil types. This is a high-traffic location, so expect visitors and plenty of foot traffic on weekends.
