-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 VcdQ1Fd6aQ8l6zMD1ZhHMtYTrFbLboNVtvnr83e2vKmc3kQ3sYq1ALVpi4VcZOX5
 vn8XeVqbL/l068SL9cDTig==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001140361-04-006788.txt : 20041203
<SEC-HEADER>0001140361-04-006788.hdr.sgml : 20041203
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20041203165808
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001140361-04-006788
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041119
FILED AS OF DATE:		20041203
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20041203

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HERITAGE OAKS BANCORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000921547
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS [6022]
		IRS NUMBER:				770388249
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			CA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		545 12TH ST
		CITY:			PASO ROBLES
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			93446
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8052395200

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 2:		545 12TH ST
		CITY:			PASO ROBLES
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			93446

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			OHare Daniel J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001310300

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-25020
		FILM NUMBER:		041184393

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		805-544-1441

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1150 PALM STREET
		CITY:			SAN LUIS OBISPO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			93401
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc1.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 3
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-11-19</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000921547</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>HERITAGE OAKS BANCORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>HEOP</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001310300</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>OHare Daniel J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1150 PALM STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN LUIS OBISPO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>X1</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>93401</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <remarks>No Securities are beneficially owned.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Tana Eade for Daniel J O'Hare power of attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-12-03</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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