LA - Central Coast and Morro Bay Camping

  • Wed, April 05, 2023
  • 2:00 PM
  • Mon, April 10, 2023
  • 12:00 PM
  • Morro Bay State Park Campground
  • 2

Registration

  • Each individual must register
  • Only designated trip leaders may register in this manner

Registration is closed


April 5 - 10, 2023

Join us as we explore the beautiful Morro Bay area, perhaps California's most scenic coastline, on a 6-day/5-night camping getaway - with showers!

Our theme will be "Explore Nature's Beauty and Experience our Magnificent California Central Coast."

Walk along empty sea cliffs with waves crashing on the rocks. Observe elephant seals, sea lions, and sea otters up close, and maybe gray whales at a distance. See spring wildflowers bloom on the green landscape of San Luis Obispo County. Hike up to a waterfall and see redwood trees along the Big Sur Coast. Discover the unique biology and geology from our trip leaders, and enjoy cooking, socializing and camp camaraderie.


Details:

We have reserved Group Site Osos at Morro Bay State Park Campground, which is within walking distance of trails in the Morro Bay wetland, the Natural History Museum, and viewpoints overlooking Morro Bay. The group site allows tents only. (There may be RV spaces available through the Morro Bay State Park reservation system which can be booked entirely separate from this event registration.)

Campground amenities include flush toilets, fire rings, picnic tables, and potable water. Showers are located about 1000 feet away in the lower part of the campground. Morro Bay village is about two miles away, with grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and other amenities.



Day Activities:

Activities will be located north and south of Morro Bay. Some planned hikes and walks are:

  • Morro Rock: observe sea otters in the bay
  • Heron Rookery National Preserve
  • Montaña de Oro State Park: Ranger guided tour of tide pools, walk Bluff Trail to sea cliffs to small coves
  • Montaña de Oro State park: picnic at Spooners Cove
  • San Simeon Beach: Observe the only elephant seal colony on the US mainland
  • Overlook and small hikes at Ragged Point and Salmon Falls along the Big Sur Coast
  • Visit the southernmost redwood grove in California
  • Kayaking on Bay
  • UPDATE:  Professor Joe Holliday plans on joining the trip to tell is about the fascinating geology and oceanography of this feature-rich natural setting.




Campground Evening Activities:

Wednesday: Check-in after 2:00 pm. 5:00 pm: Welcome and Meet-n-Greet. 6:00 pm dinner (bring your own). 7:30 - 10 pm First night campfire.

Thursday: 6:30 pm: Sunset Dinner. Bring-your-own-picnic to dine and watch the sunset over the bay, a short walk from our campsite to the bay. Sunset 7:29 pm.

Friday: "Weenie Roast" Dinner (with vegetarian option) will be provided by Great Outdoors LA.

Saturday: 6:00 pm: Traditional Great Outdoors Potluck. Hello Top Chefs and foodies! Everyone makes or brings a main or side dish to feed 5-6 people. Healthy, organic, plant-based dishes encouraged. Some desserts will be provided by Great Outdoors LA.

Sunday: 5:00 pm: Farewell Happy Hour. Bring an appetizer and optional beverage (alcohol/non-alcohol) to share.

6 PM Dinner at a local restaurant in town.

Monday: Check-out by 12 noon.

Every night: Campfire (Bring your camp chair, highlights of the day, jokes, games, camp songs, etc.)

Think eco-friendly. Everyone brings their own reusable plates, utensils, cups, napkins, etc. For the potluck, remember to bring your own serving dishes, bowls or platters with serving utensils. Be sure to pick up your dishes when you leave. Let's aim to minimize trash/ single-use disposables.  Thank you for pitching in to keep our camp clean.

Alcohol is allowed, please enjoy responsibly!


Registration, parking limits, carpooling:

This campout is limited by the number of vehicles allowed at the group sites. Our group site (25 persons max) comes with only 10 parking spaces. After the 10 spaces are full, during the day parking is available on the street outside of the campground, and at night extra cars will have to park in the town of Morro Bay about 3/4 of a mile away.  Therefore, we encourage carpooling.  Besides, it also saves gas, reduces traffic congestion and pollution, and may earn you the respect and admiration of your peers.

During registration, please note if/who you will be carpooling with. We will assign the first 10 parking spots in the order people register. The remaining vehicles will need to park outside as noted. It may be helpful to ask each other to help shuttle folks back/forth.

If the trip is sold out, please add yourself to the wait list. Based on the number of vehicles from other registrants, you may still be added to the trip in the order added to the waitlist if we can fit you in.

Getting there:

Directions from Route 1: Exit at South Bay Rd (Baywood Park) off ramp, turn left, go about 1 mile, turn right into park, go about 1 mile (do not go up the uphill road on the right), turn right into campground, check in at entry booth.

Bring your 10 essentials, your camping & cooking gear, food, and a bundle or two of firewood. Dress in layers since the mornings can start cold, and sea breezes are strong on the central California coast.

Cancellation:

Full refunds will be issued if cancelled by March 22. No refunds will be issued after this date. If you need to cancel, email both trip leaders directly, as soon as possible so we can notify the next person on the waitlist.

Health issues/allergies: It is the responsibility of participants to carry on their person a record of significant allergies, medications and medical history in the event of a medical emergency. Discuss any medical concerns with the hike leader if you wish.

Pet Policy: No dogs allowed on the beach.

Image credits:

https://thedyrt.com/camping/california/montana-de-oro-state-park/gallery

San Luis Obispo Tribune

https://www.flickr.com/photos/goingslo/2225715896

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mdoblufftrail.jpg#file

https://www.hikespeak.com/trails/salmon-creek-falls-big-sur/

https://visitcambriaca.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/ch1dr_air1-highway-1-scenic-aerial_29843871126_o-1024x575.jpg

Contact:

If you have any questions, please reach out to us at:

John Blasco: johnlongbeach@gmail.com, 562-981-4133 or John Buckley: j_l_buckley@yahoo.com, 818-613-7602

Additional information will be mailed to registrants with more details as the trip nears.


© 1981 - 2024 CALIFORNIA GREAT OUTDOORS, INC.
a 501(c)7 not-for-profit, all-volunteer LGBTQIA+ organization dedicated to the enjoyment of the outdoors. All rights reserved. Privacy policy