Morro Bay Things to Do Tips by travelgourmet Top 5 Page for this destination

ABOVE AND BELOW THE SEA Morro Rock Review

Is it the yellow submarine? No, no, no. I don't want to go. Wait! It isn't a submarine but it is a boat, half in the water with windows to the sea and half out of the water with fresh air seating under the sun. Okay, more my speed. This is a fun way to go around Morro Bay and see what is going on under the water as well as above. Sub-Sea Tours is waiting for you, under the sea, oh yeah, but also above. I have to remind myself that this is one boat that doesn't go under the water but you can see via the windows that are on the lower deck. Stay dry and high but see the kelp beds with fish galore. Sit up on the upper deck and see the Morro Rock and the sea vistas. The tour lasts about one hour total and costs $14 for adults, $11 for seniors and students, and $7 for children 3-12.

Address: 699 Embarcadero #9 Morro Bay, California 93442

Directions: Embarcadero at Pacific Street. Look for the Yellow Flags of Sub-Sea Tours.

Phone: 805 772-9463

SPOTTING A SEA OTTER IN MORRO BAY Morro Bay Review

One of the things that I found not only fun to watch but exciting as well, was to sit on the dock by the bay in anticipation of spotting a sea otter. Oh, the occasional seal would swim by, stick its head up and give a bark, but that wasn't what I was looking for. You can find the sea otter at many aquariums but seeing one in the open water is a treat.

The population of the sea otter was up to a million until the fur trade almost wiped out the entire species. In the early 1900's as few as 1,000 sea otters were to be found in the entire world. A small comeback is now here due to sea otters being put on the endangered list. Worldwide, there are now an estimated 100,000 sea otters and of that amount under 3,000 are southern sea otters, which if you are lucky, you may see frolicking in Morro Bay. I was lucky enough to spot one who rolled over on its back and was trying to break open a clam. I wish I had a telephoto lens on my camera to capture the sea otter close up, but I did get a photo of a southern sea otter. Maybe next time I will have a telephoto lens ready.

Address: The waters of Morro Bay

Directions: At the waterfront docks at Morro Bay.

Website: http://www.defenders.org/wildlife_and_habitat/wildlife/sea_otter.php

"THE GIBRALTAR OF THE PACIFIC" MORRO ROCK Morro Rock Review

It's been a while since the explorer of the California coast, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo spotted and named the 576 feet high rock, El Moro, in 1542, after the turban head of the Moors, but then the Rock became known as Morro, as in Spanish morro means pebble, crown, or nose depending on who you talk to ,so this rock is one big pebble to me. Actually, Morro Rock is one of nine volcanic plugs within the distance of San Luis Obispo and Morro Bay, about 12 miles on a straight line. They are referred to as the "Nine Sisters". The Rock is still there today, maybe a little worse for wear from the buffering winds, but standing tall at the entrance to Morro Bay.

Famous names of yesteryear camped within it's shadow. The captain of one of many Spanish Galleons, Pedro de Unamuno, claimed the land for Spain in 1587. 1769 brought the California explorer, Don Gaspar de Portola to camp next to the Rock with his party on the way, by foot, to Monterey.

In 1870, a man named Franklin Riley, founded the town of Morro Bay and built a wharf on what is today's Embarcadero. The Morro Rock was an Island during certain tides and a land fill was built in 1933 with rock off the Rock to form a jetty to make a permanent connection with the mainland. So, there it sits still high and mighty, saved by an act in 1968 declaring Morro Rock a State Historical Landmark, number 821.

Address: Morro Bay, California

Directions: Look up, look down, look all around when in Morro Bay. It's that big rock that soars upward 576 feet.

Phone: 800 231-0592

Website: http://morro-bay.com/morro-rock/

BLUE HERON ROOKERY

One of the things that draw people to Morro Bay is the Blue Heron Rookery. Located within the Morro Bay State Park, the setting is a forest of eucalyptus trees that have aromatic leaves filling the air with a soothing scent.

Looking high into the branches, you can see the nests of the blue heron and many of them are flying above as to say, "hey, stay away". Many other species of birds reside in this grove of trees that is right next to the bay.

Address: Next door to the Inn at Morro Bay in the park.

Directions: on State Park Road opposite the golf course. If you go into the front parking lot of the Inn at Morro Bay, you can look almost straight up at the Blue Herons nests.

Website: http://www.slostateparks.com/morro_bay/mb_estuary_birds.asp