Morro Bay

https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=594 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morro_Bay_State_Park Morro Bay State Park is a state park on the Morro Bay lagoon, in western San Luis Obispo County, central California. On the lagoon’s northeastern and eastern edges in the park, there are saltwater and brackish marshes that support thriving bird populations.

Our Mission Morro Bay State Park 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. Morro Bay State Park blends rich history and unique beauty with diverse resources  — from Morro Rock to a nationally recognized California State Parks supports equal access. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact the park at (805) 772-7434. 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 Morro Bay State Park State Park Road Morro Bay, CA 93442 (805) 772-7434 © 2005 California State Parks (Rev. 2017) estuary teeming with life. M orro Bay State Park looks out over the bay to wind-sculpted sand dunes. Guarding the harbor entrance of the central coast’s Morro Bay, Morro Rock has been a landmark for mariners over the centuries. The park includes the Morro Bay State Park Museum of Natural History, Morro Rock Natural Preserve, the Heron Rookery Natural Preserve, and the highly acclaimed Morro Bay State Park Golf Course. Amenities include a marina, restaurant, campground, and picnic areas. A butterfly grove sometimes hosts overwintering Monarchs from November into February. The climate is mild year round. missions in California were established — drastically changing the lives of the native people. Most of them left their settlements and were taken into the mission system, adopting the agricultural practices of the missions. The number of indigenous people dwindled in the face of European disease and diminishing traditional food sources. When missions were secularized in 1833, newly independent Mexico began granting land to Mexican citizens. Four such grants were made near Morro Bay. The MexicanAmerican War concluded in 1848, and in 1850 California became part of the United States. PARK HISTORY Native People and Spanish Explorers For many millennia before European contact, ancestors of the people who today call themselves Chumash or Salinan lived on the central coast. Seasonally, they traveled inland, using the area’s marine and terrestrial resources. The first European overland expedition into the Morro Bay area was led by Don Gaspar de Portolá in 1769. Soon after, the first Becoming a State Park Morro Bay became a popular tourist destination beginning in the 1890s. A construction boom that peaked in the 1920s was halted by the economic crash of 1929, causing speculators to go bankrupt and new subdivisions to languish as empty lots. The Cabrillo Country Club had opened on the present state park site a few months CCC-built “comfort station,” ca. 1934 before the crash. The club’s developers desperately sought a buyer, and the residents of Morro Bay pushed for the State to acquire the land as a state park. The State took possession of the property in 1934. Civilian Conservation Corps Started in 1933 as one of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal programs, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) created work for unemployed young men. The CCC arrived at the property on May 11, 1934, and began transforming the former country club into a state park. The finely crafted stone features seen in the park today were built by the CCC and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Morro Rock from Morro Bay State Park Museum of Natural History From left to right: Accessible Marina Peninsula Trail, California fuchsia, Museum of Natural History from Morro Bay NATURAL HISTORY Plant and Animal Life The diverse vegetation in 2,700-acre Morro Bay State Park includes grasslands, freshwater riparian, saltmarsh, and coastal sage scrub habitats. The bay is an important stop on the Pacific Flyway, providing seasonal feeding grounds for more than a hundred species of migratory birds, sometimes numbering in the thousands. Heron Rookery Natural Preserve Double-crested cormorants, great egrets, and great blue herons can be spotted roosting in trees on the point north of the Museum of Natural History. Many active nests provide excellent bird watching between February and June. Great blue heron Morro Estuary Natural Preserve Once endangered, the falcons nest high on the rock, where they are well situated for In this 800-acre wetland, fresh water mixes their frequent feeding forays. It is illegal to with ocean tides. Estuaries are rich and climb Morro Rock. productive habitats, providing spawning grounds and nurseries for numerous Museum of Natural History wetland wildlife species. Situated high on White’s Point, On the southeast shore of the museum commands a the estuary, rare coastal dune spectacular view of the bay. The s

Nuestra Misión Parque Estatal Morro Bay La misión de California State Parks es proporcionar apoyo para la salud, la inspiración y la educación de los ciudadanos de California al ayudar a preservar la extraordinaria diversidad biológica del estado, proteger sus más valiosos recursos naturales y culturales, y crear oportunidades para la recreación al aire libre de alta calidad. El Parque Estatal Morro Bay mezcla la historia rica y la belleza única con recursos diversos: desde Morro Rock a un estuario California State Parks apoya la igualdad de acceso. Antes de llegar, los visitantes con discapacidades que necesiten asistencia deben comunicarse con el parque llamando al (805) 772-7434. Si necesita esta publicación en un formato alternativo, comuníquese con interp@parks.ca.gov. CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 Para obtener más información, llame al: (800) 777-0369 o (916) 653-6995, fuera de los EE. UU. o 711, servicio de teléfono de texto. www.parks.ca.gov Morro Bay State Park State Park Road Morro Bay, CA 93442 (805) 772-7434 © 2005 California State Parks (Rev. 2017) lleno de vida y reconocido a nivel nacional. E l Parque Estatal Morro Bay mira hacia la bahía hasta las dunas de arena esculpidas por el viento. Resguardando la entrada del puerto de Morro Bay en la costa central, la roca Morro Rock ha sido un punto de referencia para los marineros a través de los siglos. El parque incluye el Museo de Historia Natural del Parque Estatal Morro Bay, la Reserva Natural Morro Rock, la Reserva Natural Heron Rookery y el muy aclamado campo de golf del Parque Estatal Morro Bay. Las instalaciones incluyen una marina, restaurant, zona para acampar y áreas para picnic. Un bosquecillo de mariposas a veces alberga mariposas monarca que pasan el invierno en el área, de noviembre a febrero. El clima es templado durante todo el año. HISTORIA DEL PARQUE Pueblos nativos y exploradores españoles Por muchos milenios antes del contacto europeo, los ancestros de los pueblos que hoy en día se hacen llamar Chumash o Salinan vivieron en la costa central. Según la temporada, viajaban tierra adentro usando la marina del área y los recursos terrestres. La primera expedición terrestre europea al área de Morro Bay fue liderada por Don Gaspar de Portolá en 1769. Poco después, se establecieron las primeras misiones en California, lo cual cambió de manera drástica las vidas de los pueblos nativos. Muchos de ellos dejaron sus asentamientos y fueron llevados al sistema de misiones, donde adoptaron las prácticas agrícolas de las misiones. El número de indígenas se redujo a causa de las enfermedades europeas y la disminución de las fuentes tradicionales de alimentos. Cuando se secularizaron las misiones en 1833, el recién independiente México comenzó a conceder tierras a los ciudadanos mexicanos. Cuatro de estas concesiones se hicieron cerca de Morro Bay. La guerra entre Estados Unidos y México concluyó en 1848, y en 1850 California pasó a formar parte de los Estados Unidos. Conversión en parque estatal Morro Bay se hizo un destino popular “Estación de confort” construida por el CCC, alrededor de 1934 para los turistas a partir de la década de los noventa del siglo XIX. Un auge de construcción que llegó a su tope en la década de los años veinte se detuvo por la crisis económica de 1929, lo que causó que muchos especuladores se declararan en bancarrota y que las nuevas subdivisiones languidecieran como terrenos vacíos. El Club de Campo Cabrillo (Cabrillo Country Club) había abierto en el actual lugar del parque estatal unos pocos meses antes de la crisis. Los constructores del club buscaron de manera desesperada un comprador, y los residentes de Morro Bay presionaron al Estado para que adquiriera el terreno como un parque estatal. El Estado tomó posesión de la propiedad en 1934. Morro Rock desde el Museo de Historia Natural del Parque Estatal Morro Bay De izquierda a derecha: Sendero accesible Marina Peninsula, fuchsia de California, Museo de Historia Natural desde Morro Bay Cuerpo civil de conservación Iniciado en 1933 como uno de los programas del Nuevo Trato (New Deal) del presidente Franklin D. Roosevelt, el Cuerpo Civil de Conservación (Civilian Conservation Corps, CCC) creó trabajos para los hombres jóvenes sin empleo. El CCC llegó a la propiedad el 11 de mayo de 1934 y comenzó a transformar el antiguo club de campo en un parque estatal. Los elementos de piedra finamente elaborados que se ven en el parque fueron construidos por el CCC y están en la lista del Registro Nacional de Lugares Históricos. Garzas HISTORIA NATURAL azuladas Vida vegetal y animal La vegetación diversa de los 2,700 acres del Parque Estatal Morro Bay incluye hábitats de prado, ribera de agua fresca, marisma salina y matorrales de salvia costeros. La bahía es una parada importante del corredor aéreo del Pacífico (Pacific Flyway), que proporciona zonas de alimentación por temporada a más de cien especies de aves migratorias, q

Morro Bay State Park 1 State Park Road, Morro Bay, CA 93442 (805) 772-7434 Morro Bay State Park features lagoon and natural bay habitats. The bay’s most prominent landmark is Morro Rock - illegal to climb. The park has opportunities for sailing, fishing, hiking, and bird watching. The park museum has exhibits that cover natural features and cultural history, Native American life, geology, and oceanography. The park also has a colorful marina and an 18-hole public golf course. On the bay’s northeast edge is a pristine saltwater marsh that supports a thriving bird population. Please help preserve our park for the future by following these rules: PARK FEES are due upon entry into the park. Use the self-registration system if the entrance station is closed. The campsite fee covers one vehicle and one legally towed-in vehicle. Additional fees apply for extra vehicles, including motorcycles. A valid camping/extra vehicle tag must be visible inside the windshield. campsite and must be kept in a tent or vehicle at night. Please pick up after your dog. HORSES are not allowed in the campground or other areas of the park west of South Bay Boulevard. SPEED LIMIT: The maximum speed limit is 15 mph. When pedestrians, bicyclists, and children are present VEHICLE PARKING: No more than three licensed vehicles even 15 mph might be too fast. Use good judgment. per site (four for motorcycles). A trailer is considered a ELECTRICAL OUTLETS in the restrooms are for shortvehicle. All vehicles must be parked on the pavement. duration use. Do not use outlets for long duration CAMPSITE driveways are either 25 or 35 feet. All vehicles charging/appliances. Do not use extension cords in these must be parked entirely on the pavement. Picnic tables outlets. Outlets outside of the restrooms are for State must remain at designated campsites Parks Maintenance use only. OCCUPANCY: There is an eight-person MAXIMUM limit BICYCLE, skateboard, and scooter riders under age per family campsite. Do not occupy sites you have not 18 are required by law to wear a helmet. Mopeds and paid for or disturb campsites occupied by other campers. motorized scooter operators must be 16 years of age or CHECK-OUT TIME is noon. Please vacate your site by that older and licensed according to state laws. time. Check-in time is 2 p.m. PLANTS/WILDLIFE: All features in state parks are QUIET HOURS are from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Voices and protected by law and may not be disturbed in any way. music can travel far in the campground. Please, no radios, Please do not feed the wildlife. musical instruments, or loud talking during quiet hours. TRASH: Please recycle your trash whenever possible. GENERATORS may not be operated between the hours of 8 p.m. and 10 a.m. Receptacles are located throughout the campground. PETS: Dogs are permitted in the campground, on park roads, and on trails in the Black Hill area. Dogs must be kept on a leash no longer than six feet, and under adult control at all times. Dogs may not be left alone in the DAY USE: The picnic area next to the campfire center in the campground may be used by the public and school groups. Day-use fees are required for all vehicles visiting the picnic area and not registered in the campground. GROUP CAMPS: Except for the expanded occupancy, all SHOWERS require tokens to operate. general regulations apply. Chorro Group Camp is limited WOOD/FIRES: Wood gathering is PROHIBITED. Firewood to 35 campers and 15 vehicles (2 RV maximum). Osos Group Camp is limited to 25 campers and 10 vehicles and kindling are available for purchase from the camp hosts at campsites 31, 40, and 135. Fires are only allowed (2 RV maximum). Vehicles are not permitted past the parking logs. in the provided fire rings/stoves at each site. Thank you for helping preserve our state parks! CAMPING RESERVATIONS: You may make camping reservations by calling (800) 444-7275 (TTY 800-274-7275). To make online reservations, visit our website at www.parks.ca.gov. ALTERNATE FORMAT: If you need this publication in an alternate format, contact interp@parks.ca.gov. 25’ Campsite Tent-Only Campsite Restrooms Picnic Area Parking 2 23 101 102 138 100 99 98 140 75 80 104 125 124 128 97 95 123 122 96 129 93 105 108 120 68 119 60 118 134 87 90 117 113 e (135) at 88 86 114 62 St rk to group campgrounds & Black Hill Trail #5 Rd to Los Osos 115 116 Pa Note: RV Hookup Sites: 1-30 (no sewer hookups) Dial 911. For Emergencies 61 63 64 111 66 112 #4 109 89 92 132 131 133 94 121 130 91 107 110 70 59 58 65 (31) 57 67 72 30 32 55 69 74 53 29 33 56 71 76 51 54 34 11 28 10 78 73 49 52 35 12 27 9 106 #3 136 137 139 77 26 8 13 36 50 47 14 #2 82 15 7 25 45 6 37 79 103 81 48 43 16 24 38 46 84 83 41 17 5 39 44 85 Monarch Butterfly Roosting Area 42 18 22 (40) 3 4 #1 to Marina Boardwalk 19 21 Morro Bay State Park Campground ## 35’ Campsite