If your thoughts about being at the beach in California are something out of the TV show “Baywatch”, you’ve clearly never been to the beach in California. At least nowhere north of Los Angeles. There’s a reason why.
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Think about Mark Twain’s supposed famous words: the coldest winter I ever saw was the summer I spent in San Francisco. Most of California’s (gorgeous) coastline is pretty flipping cold! It all has to do with the fact that the ocean currents are coming from the Arctic circle along the coast of Alaska. This is generally not regarded as a warm place.
It’s not until the water starts getting to Los Angeles and San Diego, which is nearly to Mexico, that the water warms up enough to be tolerable. Notice no sunbathers or swimmers in the pictures?! Yeah, that would have made for a very boring TV story line.
However, this becomes the perfect kind of destination during summer for many Californians because it is nice and cool. I’m dealing with hot 100+ (+++) F temperatures, sunny and warm is not my goal. So when my cousin and I were planning our escape for a few days, she suggested Morro Bay and I suggested let’s do it!
Morro Bay is a surprisingly quiet little place, perfect for a no-fussy-plans getaway. It’s most prominent feature is a big giant chunk of rock that sits a little way out into the bay. There’s also the chance for wildlife sightings, like otters and prehistoric looking pelicans. Of course there’s always my favorite subject: flowers! Sadly, I can’t grow most of them because of the temperature difference. However I did find one that I can and it now sits happily in my yard!
We also decided to make our escape here because this was a place with a childhood connection. We came to Morro Bay a few times on camping trips with our grandparents and my aunt. We couldn’t remember exactly where we stayed then, but who cares? We were too busy enjoying a relaxing morning coffee and a really nice view, oh yeah, and some good evening wine!!
Mostly Greek 
Bouganvillea will do well inthe valley. If memory serves we had some, but also, IIRC, has some rather nasty thorns. IIRC…
Next tine you go to Morro Bay, pay attention to the geography. Morro Rock is but obe of a series like it that extend from SLO (Bishop’s Peak) all the way to the rock, and maybe beyond….
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IIRC (hahahaha), I believe that Morro Rock is also the remnant of a massive volcanic eruption and was thrown out from the blast. I had bougainvillea at one point at the other house, but it died. I think it was the combination of being on a north facing wall during a cold winter. I want to try again by the garage, I think I can keep it alive there!
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There are actually a few beyond Bishop’s Peak, including Cerro San Luis Obispo and Islay Hill. I used to live right next to Islay Hill in the late 1980s.
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Hey, that was the view from one of my homes in college. One of my colleagues still lives in Los Osos!
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Wow, you had a nice view! We loved the place we stayed in. It was nice and quiet, and close enough by car to get to “town” to hang out. Just what I needed after last school year!
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