Harmony Headlands State Park

Phone Number

(805) 772-6101

Park Hours

Park day use open 6am-Sunset

Dogs Allowed?

No
Dogs not allowed on trails or unattended in cars.

Driving Directions to Harmony Headlands SP

From the town of Morro Bay: North on Main St., then merge onto Hwy 1 northbound. Then head north 12 miles. There is a small parking lot visible along the west side of the highway, adjacent to the southbound lane (Look for the state park sign).

From San Luis Obispo: North on Highway 1 for 25 miles. There is a small parking lot visible along the west side of the highway, adjacent to the southbound lane (Look for the state park sign).

For those seeking an adventure, an even more scenic route may be taken south from Monterey through Big Sur on a 110-mile journey winding along Highway 1 (When road conditions permit).

The Museum of Natural History is 14 miles to the south of Harmony Headlands SP, located within Morro Bay State Park (Look for the museum entrance sign).

For more California visitor information, please Request Free California Official Visitor's Guide Service Details | www.ca.gov



View on Map

Online reservations are not available for this park.

Upcoming Park Events

No events scheduled at this moment.

TRAIL USE
Hiking Trails
DAY-USE ACTIVITIES & FACILITIES
Fishing
OTHER FACILITIES & VISITOR INFORMATION
Parking

Notices:
  • No camping allowed. For camping nearby please contact Hearst San Simeon, Morro Bay or Morro Strand Campgrounds.
  • No campfires permitted.
  • No dogs allowed on trails or to be left unattended in vehicles. Laws enforced.
  • Bicycles and equestrians are not permitted.
  • There are no services available other than a portable restroom next to a small historic ranch house near the beginning of the trail. Cell phone service is sparse.
  • All natural and cultural park features are protected by law and must not be disturbed in any way.
  • Stay on trails to avoid poison oak and ticks that may carry Lyme disease.

In a secluded and peaceful setting along Highway 1, Harmony Headlands State Park adorns the stunningly beautiful Central Coast in San Luis Obispo County. The 784-acre coastal park is just 3 miles south of the tiny town of Harmony, offering artist galleries and a creamery.

Human occupation along California’s Central Coast dates back at least 10,000 years. The native people, ancestors to today’s Salinan or Chumash people, lived along the coastal bluffs and further inland. They traveled seasonally up and down stream drainages to take advantage of the various food, shelter, and tool resources needed for survival.

Today the park offers several recreational opportunities such as hiking, picnicking, and bird watching & wildlife viewing. A short, level 1.5 mile trail from the parking lot extends west to a coastal marine terrace grassland with steep hills and panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. 

Regularly, a group of State Park Volunteers walk the park providing information to the hiking public and assisting park staff with monitoring park activities and reporting emergencies.

The Museum of Natural History in nearby Morro Bay State Park has exhibits that cover natural features, cultural history, Native American life, geology, and oceanography.

Seasons - Climate - Recommended clothing
Harmony Headlands SP has moderate weather. During summer days, the area is often cooler than inland areas. Dress in layers, especially near the ocean.

Location & Directions

Harmony Headlands SP is located:

  • 25 miles northwest of San Luis Obispo on Highway 1
  • 17 miles south of the Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument Visitor Center on Highway 1
  • 110 miles south of Monterey through Big Sur on Highway 1 (When road conditions permit)
  • The coastal town of Cayucos is located 5 miles to the south and offers gas stations and dining choices.
  • The charming community of Morro Bay is located 12 miles to the south and offers even more gas stations, grocery stores, and dining options.

Museum of Natural History

A visit to the Central Coast of California is not complete without a stop at the Museum of Natural History within nearby Morro Bay State Park. The museum offers activities for all ages: nature walks, exhibits, lectures, puppet shows, videos, docent led tours and special events.

Visit the Chumash garden along the side of the museum and learn how the Chumash used native plants of this area in their daily lives.

The Museum of Natural History is within minutes of the Heron Rookery, Montaña de Oro State Park, the El Moro Elfin Forest and Audubon's Sweet Springs Nature Preserve. The museum overlooks Morro Bay which is both a State and National Estuary.

Additional Visitor Services:

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