Visiting Morro Rock in Morro Bay, California

Every year, thousands of tourists flock to the coastal fishing village of Morro Bay, California. Many come here for one reason: to view the famous landmark known as Morro Rock. This has been the case throughout the centuries. One traveler in 1880 remarked, "The Curiosity I felt to see this place was not, I confess, so much due to what was told me of its importance as a bay and a point of geographical and commercial importance, as the bit of romance connected with a rock rising abruptly out of the midst of the harbor."

This iconic 580 ft. high rock sits stalwart as a sentry at the mouth of Morro Bay Harbor where ships and boats pass by, paying homage to its splendor. The rock has been used for centuries as a guide for mariners seeking safe harbor from dense, foggy waters where this monolithic mound of lava became their only escort to shore. This alluring boulder is now designated as a bird sanctuary for the resident rare, Peregrine Falcon.

Morro Rock is the last visible volcanic plug in a string covering forty square miles reaching to San Luis Obispo, CA. "The present peaks are the plugs of congealed lava that filled the deep parts of vents," according to the Sierra Club. They are the remainder of ancient movements of fire, water, and earth as volcanic action forged them out of violent heating and cooling of molten lava.

There are over 20 of these plugs ranging in size from just a few feet to almost 2000 feet. There are 9 significant ones all in a row, referred to as the "Nine Sisters". Some think there are only seven, and refer to them as the "Seven Sisters of San Luis Obispo"-perhaps because the name is a little more catchy. Either way, Morro Rock, that famous landmark of Morro Bay, is the last observable plug in the volcanic line.

Some historians believe Morro Rock was first named by a Portuguese navigator, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, in 1542, during the time when California was known as "New Spain". Some claim Cabrillo named the rock "Morro" because it looked like the head of a "Moor" due to its unusual turban shape. Others believe the name derived from the Spanish name for "crown". The distinct shape of Morro Rock has been the subject of famous paintings and photos, as well as the surrounding ocean scenes and craggy hills of Morro Bay throughout the years.

Vintage California painters such as George Demont Otis, an Impressionist painter, and Plein Air artists Aaron Edward Kilpatrick--both born in the late 1800s--were well known for their vivid landscapes of the Morro Bay area.

Today Morro Rock and the surrounding Morro Bay scenery continue to beckon travelers, artists and sun seekers from all over the world. Morro Bay Rock still holds fascination for all who stand at the base of crashing waves, peeking into curious tide pools, and observing what centuries of visitors have stood in awe of: the inescapable presence of this ancient resident, Morro Rock.

Other sites to visit Morro Bay California:
Visit Morro Bay California
Morro Bay Park
Where to stay in Morro Bay- Morro Bay hotels and lodging
Restaurants in Morro Bay
Morro Bay campgrounds

Source:
http://santalucia.sierraclub.org/ninesis.html#intro
http://www.slostateparks.com/morro_rock/default.asp
http://www.oldmorrobay.com/ghosts.html
http://www.oldmorrobay.com/steamers.html
http://www.redferngallery.com/artistbio.php?at=GeorgeDemontOtis
http://www.askart.com/AskART/artists/search/ArtistKeywords.aspx?artist=3219
http://www.morro-bay.ca.us/