Multi-Sport Adventure at Morro Bay State Park & Montana De Oro State Park

Let's go hiking, kayaking, and SUP at Morro Bay State Park and Montana de Oro State Park! Located just about 3 hours from LA, Morro Bay State Park features a lagoon and natural bay habitat. The bay's most prominent landmark is Morro Rock, which is a 581 foot volcanic plug located just offshore from Morro Bay.

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We'll arrive on Friday and set up camp at the Morro Bay State Park Campground. I've reserved 5 campsites next to each other for a maximum capacity of 40 people and 15 vehicles. Each campsite includes picnic tables and fire rings and there are restrooms with flush toilets and showers. You are free to arrive anytime after 2pm. There will be no planned activities on this day.

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On Saturday morning, after breakfast, we'll walk across the street from our campground where our kayaks and SUP will be waiting for us. We'll have 18 tandem kayaks and 4 stand-up paddle boards for a fun-filled morning of paddling through waters shared with harbor seals, sea lions and sea otters, as well as literally hundreds of species of birds, including several rare and endangered species. The waters of Morro Bay are protected from the open ocean by a scenic four mile long sandspit and the weather is moderate year round, creating an ideal place for beginners and expert paddlers alike. We'll paddle across to the sand dunes and beach our kayaks on a secluded part of Morro Bay's outer sandspit for a fun dunes hike to a hidden Chumash shell midden. A short walk past the midden, we come to the Pacific Ocean and unparalleled views up and down miles of isolated beach. Back on the bay side of the dunes, we'll return to our kayaks or possibly give the SUP a try and return to the docks.

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Surely, you will have worked up an appetite after our morning adventure, so we'll head over to the Bayside Cafe (http://www.baysidecafe.com/) for lunch in the beautiful Morro Bay Marina. This waterfront restaurant features a variety of seafood dishes, salads, pasta, burgers, sandwiches, and Mexican specialties.

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After lunch, we'll walk back to our campground for a little relaxation. In the evening, we'll enjoy a hike on the Black Hill Trail in Morro Bay State Park, where we'll view an incredible sunset. Black Hill is the second to last of the nine volcanic plugs that lie between San Luis Obispo and Morro Bay (the last being Morro Rock itself). The hike to the top travels through Fleming's Forest - a hillside of Monterey Pine trees that were planted by John Fleming, a former park superintendent. It is rumored that Black Hill received its name due to the tar seep on the north side of the hill. The distance from Morro Bay State Park campground to the top and back to the campgrounds is approximately 3 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 600 feet. This scenic and enjoyable hike is relatively easy and can be done in just a couple of hours. We'll plan on doing a potluck for dinner on Saturday night.

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On Sunday, we'll have breakfast and then pack up camp before leaving Morro Bay State Park and driving about 30 minutes to Montana de Oro State Park. This park is packed with so many beautiful hiking trails and picturesque places, it can be hard to decide which trail to do. We'll be doing the Bluff Trail to Coon Creek Trail. Be sure to bring a sack lunch with you so we can take a break during our hike for a quick bite. The Bluff Trail passes tide pools and beaches, and a magical rocky coastline. We'll begin our journey from a parking area on Pecho Valley Road, just past the Montana de Oro Visitor Center, and across from the trailhead for Valencia Peak. After crossing over a short wooden bridge, the wide dirt trail turns towards the sea, venturing out to Islay Point. To the north is a nice view of Spooner's Cove, home to a popular beach located below the visitor center.

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After about a half mile, we'll arrive at Corallina Cove with tide pools full of interesting sea creatures. There is a more rugged coastline to explore further down the trail. From Corallina Cove, we'll head directly inland and turn right across the bridge, crossing a nasturtium-filled gorge just inland from the cove. The dirt trail heads south again, serving up bold ocean views. The main trail is complimented by smaller footpaths that weave across the bluff for more intimate looks at the beautiful coast. Half a mile past Corallina Cove comes another popular tide pool, Quarry Cove.

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Beyond Quarry Cove, the coastline somehow continues to become more dramatic, leading up to Grotto Rock, one of the more wondrous wonders along this wonderful coast. The tall stone island stands resolute within a rocky cove, fighting valiantly against the ceaseless forces of erosion. A most incredible, cavernous waterway cuts through the base of Grotto Rock and water can be seen flowing clear through the dark tunnel. Somehow Grotto Rock has avoided crumbling into the sea. It is an impressive formation, and is a highlight of the hike.

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A quarter mile past Grotto Rock, and 1.7 miles from the start, we'll find a connection trail to the left, toward Pecho Valley Road, where we'll come to a parking lot in .4 miles. From here, we'll continue on to Coon Creek Trail.

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The Coon Creek Trail heads up Coon Creek Canyon alongside the winding watercourse of the year-round stream. The trail crosses six bridges over the creek through the shade of the lush riparian corridor. Willows, maples, cottonwoods, oaks, cedars, and cypress grow in the canyon with Spanish moss hanging from the branches. (Beware of poison ivy on this trail!)

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Once we reach Rattlesnake Flats, we'll turn left to loop us back to the parking lot where we will then begin our journey back to where we started. Both trails are relatively easy. The total distance will be about 8 miles (out and back) with a total elevation gain of 347 feet. We should be able to complete this in a few hours.

After hiking, we can find a spot for dinner and then say our goodbyes to the new friends we've made.

What's Included?

2 nights camping at Morro Bay State Park
18 Tandem Kayak Rentals (2 hours)
4 Stand-Up Paddleboard Rentals (2 hours)
Hiking, kayaking, and SUP in 2 of California's most scenic state parks

What's Not Included?

Transportation (Carpooling is recommended)
Meals
Standard camping gear (see our car camping checklist)

AS ALWAYS, YOUR RSVP IS NOT ENOUGH TO HOLD YOUR SPOT. YOU MUST PAY WHEN YOU SIGN UP OR YOU WILL BE MOVED TO THE WAIT LIST.

>>CLICK HERE TO PAY NOW (https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=XCA558KJ45VR4)<<

Getting There

From San Luis Obispo take Highway 1 north to the Los Osos - Baywood Park off-ramp. Turn left, go about 1 mile and turn right into the state park.

From the South, take Highway 101 northbound to the Los Osos - Baywood Park off-ramp. Turn left toward Los Osos and travel about 10 miles to South Bay Blvd., then turn right and go about 3 miles to the state park entrance.

For Carpool/Potluck/Equipment Sharing signup, please visit http://www.prepatrip.com/t/vzh8q5 (http://www.prepatrip.com/t/vzh8q5)

By signing up for this trip, you agree to the Legal Disclaimer & Release of Liability (https://www.meetup.com/AdventurePeople/pages/Legal_Disclaimer_and_Release_of_Liability/)