Category Archives: Morro Bay

Stunning Bouchon Point and Surrounding Coastline

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On a recent trip to Montana de Oro State Park, we discovered Bouchon Point and the surrounding coastline.  This area is an extension of the state park.  As with the the state park, Bouchon Point has equally spectacular views.  It is positioned adjacent to the southern region of the park.  The area is controlled by PG&E so it has different hours of operation than the state park.  In addition, visitors enter through a gate and signed in. Once we passed the gate and guard station, the area is indistinguishable from the state park.  The trails are well marked.  We started with a trail that led directly to the coastline.

We saw natural arches that stood off the shore.  These were home to the seagulls and pelicans.  Periodically, waves crashed into the rock pillars.  Water drained off creating miniature waterfalls.

Once the noon fog lifted, the sun lite up the ocean bottom and the water appeared as jewel colored blues. The sun illuminated long stretches of sandy beach.  The beaches, natural arches and bridges could be seen for several miles.

As with the bluffs in Montana de Oro, the trail was painted purple, yellow, orange and red from the blooms of thousands of native wild flowers.

Pelicans and seagulls flew past us, hugging the rocky coast and searching for food.

This is another wonderful place to visit when traveling the California coastal highway.

Our Flight Over Morro Bay

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Back in December 2011, we took a vacation down to Morro Bay and the Central Coast.  As is common in the winter, the coast is mostly clear.  We flew down to Paso Robes Airport in our Flight Design from Pine Mountain Lake Airport.  We arrived after an hour and twenty minute flight.  This helped us avoid a many multi-hour car trip.  This also gave us an opportunity to get an aerial view of this part of the California coast.

This part of the coastline has a smoothness and curvature that is different from the northern coastline.  The crests of the ocean waves can be seen contouring the shoreline.

They are several features that make Morro Bay unique and can be easily seen from the air.  Morro Rock jets out of the ocean at 571 feet.  It is the remnants of a volcano at the entrance to the Bay.

A large natural sand spit is also visible.  It protects the harbor that houses sailboats, fishing boats and wildlife.  It is clearly visible from the air since it extends several miles from land and serves as a clear barrier to the rough Pacific waters and the calm bay.

Houses cover the mainland of the bay.  Areas of forests, estuaries and sand dunes can also been seen.

Our Trip to Montana De Oro State Park

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Morro Bay is my favorite California coastal place to visit.  It is located just south of San Luis Obispo.  This quaint and fairly quiet fishing community has wonderful scenery, seafood, and diverse activities.  Jeremy and I have been there several times and always find new places to visit and activities to do.

During a recent trip, we flew down to Paso Robles Airport in our light sport airplane.  It was about an hour flight from Pine Mountain Lake Airport.  After we picked up our rental car, we first visited the local Paso Robes wineries.  This region is known for very good Zinfandel wines.  One of our stops was the Peachy Canyon Winery.  Afterwards, we drove to our hotel in Morro Bay and arrived around sunset.  The next morning, we head to the nearby State Park, Montana de Oro.

As with Morro Bay, nature is all around in this state park.  There are both migrating and indigenous birds the hug the coastline.  Pelicans and seagulls are often seen slope soaring the sea cliffs.  Sand Pipers chase the incoming surf in search for food.  Hawks can be seen flying overhead hunting.  Occasionally, you can witness a kill.

Tidal pools are teaming with life.  Along the Bluff trial, you can stop off and see orange, purple and red starfish hugging the rocks.  Green colored sea anemone and hermit crabs occupy much of the remaining rock.  Bright colored green kelp cover the sand stone rock.  The surf periodically pounds the tidal rocks bringing in new sea life.

Montana de Oro is painted with wild flowers.  The region is carpeted with California Poppies, Indian Paintbrush, and Ice plants to name a few.  The fragrant air is sweet and salty.  Small birds, butterflies, bees and lizards can be seen weaving in and out of this natural garden.

The topography varies from sand beaches and dunes to rocky sea cliffs and steep hill sides.  There are several views of the Pacific meeting land’s edge.

To me, this seems to be the closest to heaven on Earth.  The sounds, the smellls, and the views overwhelm the senses.  If you plan to visit the Central Coast of California, I suggest taking time to visit this area.