LA- Camping - Central Coast & Morro Bay

        Los Angeles and Palm Springs Chapters Present

 Central Coast and Morro Bay Camping

REGISTRATION will open January 1, 2025

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

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

Our excursions on this trip will include the expert leadership and guidance of Joe Holliday who is a former Professor of Geology and Earth Science, and a current international naturalist and guide for National Geographic Expeditions, GeoTours, and other travel organizations.

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. 

Campsite Details:

We have reserved the Premium Group Campsite #GCHO 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.

We also have reserved RV spaces near to our group site and within easy walking distance. Maximum length of RV is 35 feet. These are standard sites without hookups. An RV sanitation station and water-fill station are also available. Firewood is for sale from the campground host and proceeds go to help the Central Coast State Parks Association.

Campground amenities include flush toilets, hot showers (token operated), fire rings, picnic tables, and potable water. 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: walk from camp, to include stops at Morro Bay Museum of Natural History, Heron Rookery Natural Preserve, observing sea otters in the bay, and the MB Embarcadero
• Montaña de Oro State Park: tide pools, walk Bluff Trail to sea cliffs to small coves
• 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 ?

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: 6:00 pm: Dinner at camp followed by sunset walk at the bay. Bring-your-own dinner to dine and then walk to and watch the sunset over the bay, a short walk from our campsite to the bay. Sunset 7:38 pm.
• Friday: 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.
• Saturday: 6:00 pm: To be determined (possibly campfire weenie roast)  
• Sunday: 5:00 pm: 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, musical instruments maybe/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.

Registration, parking limits, carpooling:

Parking at the group site lot is limited.  After the group campsite spaces are full,  parking is available on the street outside of the campground, and at night extra cars can 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.

The remaining vehicles can unload their gear at the campsite, check for shuttle options, and  park off site as noted. It may be helpful to ask each other to help shuttle folks back/forth. 

If you are interested in carpooling you might check out the website https://www.groupcarpool.com/.  You can list your car, or that you are looking for a ride while using the chat feature to plan, organize and leave messages. Please note though due to liability and insurance reasons Great Outdoors cannot organize carpools and hike/trip leaders cannot take an active role in making arrangements for participants' transportation.

If the trip is sold out, please add yourself to the wait list.

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 can be strong on the central California coast.

Cancellation:

Refund minus $10 service fee will be issued if cancelled by April 2. 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.

Contact:

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

John Blasco: email click here, 562-981-4133 or Joe Holliday: email click here, 562-417-4742 

Cliff C.: email click here or Scott C. email click here

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

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