When you see the rock you know you are in Morro Bay.  It is your first peek of what the Northern California Coast is like, although you are still in what is termed THE CENTRAL COAST.  Summer months are likely to be cool, misty in the morning with the sun appearing late in the day.  The town is charming, the seafood great, and although we camped there for five days, we never ran out of places to discover!

In the bay you can count on seeing a few otters:

It would be easy to stand and watch the elephant seals for hours.  These guys are amazin

g.

The rookery is right off the highway.  In years past motorists would park illegally to gawk at the blubbery seals.  Today there is a parking area right off the highway just north of San Simeon. 

The large males were bumping up against each other in the water.  Dozens of these elephant seals covered the sand, making the loudest, funniest noises.

 

 

 

The main street along Morro Bay’s marina offers several excellent seafood restaurants with seating practically on the water!  Our favorite is Giovanni’s where you can eat on the patio of purchase fresh seafood in the little store.  This week it was buy one dungenous crab and get one free!  We bought some crab crackers and dug in. 

Besides the famous rock, Morro Bay is recognized by its stacks!

Along the marina shops are a surf shop, a shell shop featuring shells from all over the world, and dozens of boutiques and curio stores.  There is also a small aquarium where my granddaughter Hailey made friends with an eel.

Taking the coast north, the scenery is spectacular.  The road winds its way along the Big Sur Coast to Ragged Point.  It is the furthest north we traveled on this trip.  There is a small store, an artsy gift shop, food, and a nice little walk out to the point. 

We passed the Piedras Blanca Lighthouse:

 

On the way back from Ragged Point, we stopped in Cambria and took a photo of Nitwit Ridge:

Another place to explore is Montana de Oro.  The road takes you through a forest of Eucalyptus Trees and dunes.   There is a primitive campground there in a nice little canyon with a short walk to the jagged cliffs and pounding surf.   

Back at Morro Bay State Park Campground, there is lots to do around camp.  The visitor center has many interpretive displays and offers guided walks.  Bike riding and kayaking are fun ways to explore.  Kayak rentals are available just across the street from the campground.

 

There are 30 sites with hook ups and many nice tent sites.  I made our reservations 7 months ahead of time through Reserve America.  You can buy firewood from the camp host and he delivers!

 

OF COURSE EATING IS THE FAVORITE CAMPING PAST TIME

 

 

Heather cooks up an appetizer for cocktail hour.  Gin ‘n tonics are flowing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THERE ARE ALOT OF FUN THINGS TO DO IN CAMP BESIDES EAT:       

 

Like take a snooze in a hammock

or

 

play the flute

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How many rocks can you stack?

Romo makes a hoodoo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The competition is fierce!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Morro Bay is a great place to visit.  The drive from the LA area is about 5 hours.  We stayed a night on the way up at Gaviota – it has its drawbacks but it has a primitive kind of charm about it too.  We loved the pier, the geology, the beach and the gentle waves.  The train tracks ride high above camp and smack through it on a trestle. 

 

Bye Morro Bay: