Morro Bay in California

Trip Overview

Morro Bay is a beautiful little bay on California's Central Coast. This is an active area, with tourism, commercial and sportfishing and an active paddling community. The paddle here is fascinating: from the picturesque waterfront to the southern marshes to the ocean channel with Morro Rock looming over it there is no end of things to see and photograph. The wildlife is abundant, too: every bird known on the coast, seals, sealions, and plenty of fish. One thing you must do before launching is to learn the tides: the Bay becomes mud in the southernmost reaches and one could get stuck for hours if not careful. The water is in the 60's in the summer so wear your booties. There are several launch sites, from a few small beaches to a few actual boat launch ramps. There is a small beach just before Morro Rock that is closest to the ocean channel. The others are on the south end of town. The soputhernmost launch is past the Natural History Museum in a small, funky marina. This place is definitely worth a detour off the highway.

Accommodations:

There are innumerable motels and restaurants on this heavily traveled route.

Directions:

Morro Bay is almost exactly half way between San Francisco and Los Angeles: take Highway 101 to Highway 41 at Atascadero and head west.

Contact:

http://www.parks.ca.gov/ for information the Morro Bay Museum of Natural History.

Resources:

Check the Morro Bay State Park site in http://www.parks.ca.gov/; be sure to get the local tide table at one of the sportfishing offices.