Morro Strand

Our Mission Morro Strand State Beach The mission of California State Parks is to provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. Miles of sparkling dunes at Morro Strand State Beach hold expansive views, coastside camping and vibrant bird life. California State Parks supports equal access. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact the park at (805) 772-8812. If you need this publication in an alternate format, contact interp@parks.ca.gov. CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 For information call: (800) 777-0369. (916) 653-6995, outside the U.S. 711, TTY relay service www.parks.ca.gov Discover the many states of California.™ Morro Strand State Beach Yerba Buena and Highway 1 Morro Bay, CA 93442 (805) 772-8812 www.parks.ca.gov/morrostrand © 2015 California State Parks M iles of established in 1771 windswept sand, and 1772. Indigenous sea and dunes people moved away at Morro Strand from their settlements State Beach curve into the missions, which gently from the town drastically changed of Morro Bay to their lives. The native Cayucos. Two long population dwindled stretches of beach from exposure to provide recreation European diseases and for visitors and lack of traditional Shorebirds at low tide habitats for a diverse food sources. array of plant and The missions were animal life. Overlooking Estero Bay and secularized in 1833, and the Mexican iconic Morro Rock, the beach hosts a variety government granted that land to Mexican of coastal environments  —including strand, citizens. Four such land grants were made dunes, and dune wetland communities. near Morro Bay. The Mexican-American War Morro Strand experiences dry summers, concluded in 1848, and in 1850 California with average temperatures in the low 70s, and became one of the United States. wet, cool winters. Coastal fog and wind affect Becoming a State Park the beach during all seasons. Morro Strand was traditionally known as Morro Beach. Land developer Edward G. PARK HISTORY Lewis purchased the southern portion in Native Peoples 1916, calling the area the Atascadero Beach or Ancestors of the Chumash and Salinan people Atascadero Colony. Lewis planned to create lived on the California’s Central Coast, including a beach community and began selling lots to the Morro Strand area. Adept at hunting and prospective builders, but only one house was gathering, they made seasonal use of the vast built. Lewis opened the Cloisters Inn and resources of the Pacific Ocean, today’s Morro Cottages in 1925, but by the start of and Estero Bays, and inland areas the Great Depression, Lewis and Spaniard Don Gaspar de Portolá’s journey his hotel were in financial and to the Central Coast in 1769 was the first legal trouble. European overland expedition to reach The inn stayed open until the area. Nearby missions San Antonio de the beginning of World War Padua and San Luis Obispo de Tolosa were Beach sand verbena II; the property was added to the State Park System in 1948, classified as Atascadero Beach. The remaining northern portion of Morro Beach had been acquired by California State Parks in 1932. Atascadero Beach and Morro Beach were combined in 1988 and renamed Morro Strand State Beach. NATURAL RESOURCES Like many places in California, Morro Strand State Beach has been greatly impacted by both invasive species and coastal development. Restoration efforts have removed invasive plant material that once blanketed the habitat, returning it to a diverse functioning dune ecosystem. Nearest the ocean is the coastal strand community. Battered with almost constant wind and waves, the strand has practically no vegetation;   kelp, wrack, driftwood, and assorted marine debris accumulate along the shoreline. Farther back from the strand, several types of dune communities are well established. Those farthest from the harsh Long-billed conditions of the strand curlew shelter more vegetation and RECREATION Camping — Camping is only available at the entrance off Yerba Buena Street. More than 70 tent or RV spaces with fire rings Campground with views of Morro Rock are available along the beach. animal life, including beach sand verbena, Restrooms are provided; campers may use the Blochman’s leafy daisy, dune scrub, and showers at nearby Morro Bay State Park with emergent wetland vegetation. Removing proof of registration. Hookups for trailers and invasive vegetation, such as European beach recreational vehicles, with a maximum length grass and ice plant, has been a focus of park of 40 feet, are available. For current reservation restoration efforts. information, call (800) 444-7275 or visit Many shorebird species overwinter www.parks.ca.gov/morrostrand. along California’s Central Coast and can be Surfing —The windswept stretches of Morro seen at the strand from mid-summer until Strand create perfect waves for surfers. early spring. Some, including the federally Check weather conditions before going. threatened western snowy plover, stay around Picnicking — Picnic tables and barbecue all year and nest on the beaches between grills are available in the day-use area at the March 1 and September 30. campground entrance. Additional picnic tables, Portions of Morro Strand State Beach a barbecue grill, and restrooms are available at are fenced and closed either year round the Azure Street and 24th Street day-use areas. or seasonally to protect sensitive habitat, Bird Watching —View many diverse species of breeding areas, or restoration sites. Please birds at Morro Strand State Beach. Please avoid respect the fences and use only designated marked restricted areas, particularly from March access points while enjoying the park. to September, to protect nesting snowy plovers. Tide Pools — Exposed rocks to the north of Morro Strand campground offer some tide pool viewing opportunities, especially at very low tides. Different types of snail, limpet, sea slug, urchin, anemone, and crab can be found clinging to the rocks or in pools and crevices. Please consult tide tables before exploring to avoid getting stranded. Please look at —  but do not touch, disturb, or collect —  sensitive tide pool dwellers. Fishing — Anglers aged 16 and over with a valid California fishing license may fish from shore. Visit www.wildlife.ca.gov/fishing for complete fishing and license information. ACCESSIBLE FEATURES The area has flat, paved, and unpaved surfaces and sand. For updates, visit http://access.parks.ca.gov. NEARBY STATE PARKS • Morro Bay State Park Morro Bay State Park Road off Hwy. 1 Morro Bay 93442 (805) 772-7434 Museum (805) 772-2694 • Estero Bluffs State Park Hwy. 1, north of Cayucos 93430 (805) 772-7434 PLEASE REMEMBER • All natural and cultural features are protected by state law and may not be disturbed or removed. • Please stay away from posted habitats. • Except for service animals, dogs are not allowed on the beach. Dogs are permitted on a leash, no more than six feet in length, in campsites and along park roads. • Kite flying is not permitted from March to September to protect sensitive species. • Quiet hours are 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. • Varying ocean conditions may become dangerous. Never turn your back on the ocean, and remain aware at all times. to Cayucos 24th St 1 O ld Cr e ek R oa d This park is supported in part through the Central Coast State Parks Association 20 State Park Road, Morro Bay, CA 93442 (805) 772-2694 • www.ccspa.org Morro Strand Yerba Buena Street Stu Sta te B e ach dio Dri ve C ha a Be MORRO 1 Kiosk Ave ne y ch co Legend Paved Road Hiking Trail k Ro ad rive Cree Toro er D mb Major Road STRAND Campground Parking 0 Picnic Area 5 0 Restrooms 10 Miles 20 Kilometers 10 t ree a a St b r n Entrance e Station Y Bu e RV Camping Telephone S TAT E Beachcomber Drive 46 see detail map above 229 46 BEACH Cayucos Cayucos SB Pacific Ocean 0 0 5 10 41 58 Morro Bay Morro Bay SP 1 Los Osos Oaks SNR Montaña de Oro SP 10 Miles 20 Kilometers San Luis Obispo to Azure Street il Morro Strand SB in Jac San et Stre Coral Avenue PACIFIC 227 OCEAN Morro Stra d T n Harmony Headlands SP Estero Bluffs SP ra to Paso Robles to Pismo Beach © 2015 California State Parks 41 1 0 0.25 0.5 0.5 1 Miles 1 2 Kilometers cadero Road Atas 0 to Morro Bay State Park