Morro Bay State Park

Black Hill

Morro Bay State Park is a state park in Morro Bay, in western San Luis Obispo County, California. On the bay’s northeastern edge, there is a saltwater marsh that supports a thriving bird population. ^[1]

Recreation

There are opportunities for sailing, fishing, hiking, and bird watching. There is also a park museum with exhibits covering natural features, cultural history, Native American life, geology, and oceanography. The park also has a marina and a public golf course.

Two of the Nine Sisters, a chain of volcanic peaks, Black Hill and Cabrillo Peak, are inside of the Park. Black Hill has a trail through the Monterey Pine (Pinus radiata) trees in Flemings Forest.

Elephant seals can be viewed at the park. There are about 20-25 bull seals on one beach normally, and several hundred females.

Marine Protected Areas

Morro Bay State Marine Recreational Management Area and Morro Bay State Marine Reserve are marine protected areas offshore from Morro Bay. Like underwater parks, these marine protected areas help conserve ocean wildlife and marine ecosystems.

History

The first settlers of the local area were of the Millingstone Horizon culture, early Chumash Native American peoples. These peoples relied partially on the harvesting of fish and shellfish from Morro Bay. One of the closest local settlements of Chumash to Morro Bay State Park is the Back Bay site, a large Chumash archaeological site on a stabilized sand dune in Los Osos dating to at least as early as 800 to 1200 AD.^[2] Cabrillo first encountered the Chumash in the year 1542.^[3]

See also

• Morro Rock

References

1. ^ "Morro Bay State Park". http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=594. Retrieved 2006-05-05. 
2. ^ C. Michael Hogan, Los Osos Back Bay, Megalithic Portal, editor A. Burnham
3. ^ Los Osos history profile

Coordinates: 35°20′50″N 120°49′33″W / 35.34734°N 120.82592°W / 35.34734; -120.82592