Elfin Forest Natural Area is a 90-acre preserve on prehistoric sand dunes above southern Morro Bay, where poor soils, salt spray, and strong winds have produced a rare dwarf woodland of coast live oaks. Some trees are only 4 feet tall on exposed ridges, while sheltered ones reach about 20 feet, and some of the largest are 200 to 400 years old. The preserve also includes coastal sage scrub, maritime chaparral, brackish marsh, and dune scrub, supporting remarkable biodiversity. Its deep human history includes Chumash presence, and later conservation efforts opened the area to the public with an accessible boardwalk that protects its fragile habitat.