Landscape
Land, Air and Sea Scapes
Sunrise and Set
Enjoy the beauty of the golden hour, as the sun rises and sets on the California Central Coast.
Morro Rock
Prominent Morro Rock is also known as The Gibraltar of the Pacific.. Visit the gallery to see some 20+ foot waves come ashore.
It has been said that their is a fine line between bravery and stupidity - I believe, in retrospect, that I was on the wrong side of that line too often during this outing. But, it sure was fun!!
Morro Rock 2
These images were taken from the north side of Morro rock during storm events of 2021.
Morro Strand State Beach
Morro Strand State Beach overlooks Estero Bay and 580 foot tall iconic Morro Rock. It was formed about 23 million years ago from the plugs of long-extinct volcanoes. Morro Rock is also known as the "Gibraltar of the Pacific,".
The Salinan and Chumash tribes, considered Morro Rock a sacred site and would climb the rock twice each year to celebrate the solstice. They believe it’s so sacred that no one should climb to its peak.
Piedras Blancas
Piedras Blancas State Marine Conservation is located between San Luis Obispo and Point Ragged, along the beautiful Hwy 1. Piedras Blancas Light Station and the Elephant Seal Rookery and Hearst Castle should be on your bucket list.
Always spectacular to view, it will take your breath away any season of the year. The awesome power and fearsome beauty of the ocean is displayed when winter storms and high surf pass through the area. I found it moderately easy to hike the coastal trails.
Grand Canyon
We visited the Grand Canyon Village and their was still a lot of snow! This was my first visit, so I didn't know about the long wait (about an hour) just to get through the entrance gate. It was worth the wait, and I believe you need to be there to truly appreciate its grandeur . Arrive early in the morning if possible to avoid a longer wait.
Note: The GC is around 7,000 feet in elevation. My retired and well aged body wasn't ready for the stress hiking in that thin air.
Hwy 46
Hwy 46 - Green Valley View Point. From this point you can see across Morro Bay and much further to the south and open ocean to the west. The marine layer can make it look like an ocean, or you are flying above the clouds.
Flora
Matthew 6:29
Yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Flower themed Images from Texas and California.
2023-24 Storms
Storm driven waves and high tides bring some awesome waves to Morro Rock and the California Central Coast