Morro Bay - Part II

For those who have never been to Morro Bay, below the picture I am adding some info about Morro Rock. When I was a little girl, we would look for the "three pipes" (from an energy plant) and the peak of "the rock" as we neared the town. Upon seeing the rock or the pipes, we would squeal with excitement knowing we were almost there. Occasionally the misty flog would cloud our view but that made us happy too. If there was misty fog we knew we had escaped the valley heat and entered cool weather. There were a few things we had to do each time we went to Morro Bay. Those were: for dinner eat fish and chips at Bob's Seafood topped with a chocolate frosty from Foster's Freeze, drive to the top of Black Mountain above the golf course to see the view, visit the fish market for a fresh shrimp cocktail, walk onto the small pier and see the U.S. Coast Guard boats (which we got to tour a few times), get fresh, saltwater taffy, walk on the beach and pick up rocks, visit the aquarium and feed the seals, have one morning breakfast at Dorn's overlooking the water, drive through the Eucalyptus trees and breathe, watch the golfers, and get chocolate teddy bear cookies from the bakery.“Morro” is the Spanish name for crown. Named “El Morro” by Portuguese Explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo in 1542. Morro Rock State Historic Landmark was formed about 23 million years ago from the plugs of long-extinct volcanoes. Member of the “Nine Sisters” of volcanic plugs. Home of nesting Peregrine Falcons. Closed to any climbing or disturbance. Morro Rock was an important navigational aid for mariners for over 300 years as it height of 576 feet made it the most visible in a chain of nine peaks. Portuguese explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo named the rock “El Morro” in 1542. In Spanish "Morro" means crown shaped hill.
Morro Rock, sometimes called the “Gibraltor of the Pacific,” is the last peak which extends from San Luis Obispo to Morro Bay. Read More The rock itself was mined on and off until 1963. Morro Rock provided material for the break water of Morro Bay and Port San Luis Harbor. In 1966 a bill was introduced which transferred the full title to the State of California. Later the San Luis Obispo County Historical Society and the City of Morro Bay succeeded in getting the Morro Rock declared as California Registered Historical Landmark #821. Morro Rock also became State Landmark #801 in 1968. The rock has since been designated a bird sanctuary for the Peregrine Falcon and other bird species.