Estero Bay (California)
{{Other uses|Estero Bay (disambiguation)}}
{{short description|Bay on the coast of California, United States}}
Estero Bay (Spanish for "Estuary") is a bay located on the Pacific Coast in San Luis Obispo County, central California. It is about {{convert|15|miles|km}} from its south end at Point Buchon/Montana de Oro State Park, to its north end at Point Estero, which is about {{convert|5|miles|km|sigfig=1}} northwest of Cayucos. It is indented about {{convert|5|miles|km|sigfig=1}} into the California coast.
File:Morro Bay, CA, jjron 23.03.2012.jpg on the left, Morro Bay/Morro Rock center, and Point Buchon/Montana de Oro State Park on the right.]]
File:View from Summit of Hazard Peak to Morro Bay Estuary, Sandspit, Pacific Ocean, City of Morro Bay and Los Osos and Baywood, Morros, and Morro Bay Inlet. (6221428357).jpg, Morro Bay Estuary, Sandspit, and Towns of Morro Bay and Cayucos. 2011 photo.]]
Ecology
The Morro Bay kangaroo rat (Dipodomys heermanni morroensis ) is endemic to the Baywood fine sands habitats surrounding Morro Bay. It is a federally listed endangered species and on the IUCN Red List of Critically endangered species.
Morro Bay is located in the center of Estero Bay.
Features
Towns on the bay include Morro Bay, Baywood Park-Los Osos, and Cayucos.
For recreation beaches and parks are along the shore of the bay include:
- Morro Strand State Beach
- Morro Bay State Park
- El Moro Elfin Forest Preserve — a 90-acre grove of 'pygmy oaks' (Coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia ). Located on the southeastern shore of Estero Bay in Los Osos. An oval wooden walkway loops around the forest, with viewing platforms.[http://www.slostateparks.com/morro_bay/mb_elfin.asp California State Parks of San Luis Obispo Coast: El Moro Elfin Forest] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307203700/http://www.slostateparks.com/morro_bay/mb_elfin.asp |date=2012-03-07 }} . accessed 5.25.2012
See also
- Amphibious Training Base Morro Bay used the bay during World War 2.
- California during World War II
References
{{Reflist}}
- {{cite book|first=Stuart|last=Allan|title=California Road and Recreation Atlas|year=2005|publisher=Benchmark Maps|isbn=0-929591-80-1|page=90}}
External links
{{Commons category|Estero Bay}}
NOAA Nautical chart of Estero Bay http://www.charts.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/18703.shtml
{{Coord|35.39969|N|120.91347|W|source:placeopedia|display=title}}
{{Clear}}
{{Protected areas of California|SP}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Bodies of water of San Luis Obispo County, California