Morro Strand State Beach

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Morro Strand State Beach
Morro Rock and Morro Strand State Beach.jpg
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Location San Luis Obispo County, California
Nearest city Morro Bay
Coordinates 35°22′33″N120°51′47″W / 35.37583°N 120.86306°W / 35.37583; -120.86306 Coordinates: 35°22′33″N120°51′47″W / 35.37583°N 120.86306°W / 35.37583; -120.86306
Governing body California Department of Parks and Recreation
Orca breaching, just offshore from Morro Strand, May 8, 2014. North Morro Bay town in background Orca, Killer Whale, breaching - Morro Bay, CA May 8, 2014 Orcinus orca.jpg
Orca breaching, just offshore from Morro Strand, May 8, 2014. North Morro Bay town in background

Morro Strand State Beach (formerly Atascadero State Beach) is a protected beach within California's state park system located in north Morro Bay along California State Route 1. Morro Strand is a popular coastal frontage park on Estero Bay featuring the Morro Strand Trail [1] and picnic sites. A three-mile stretch of beach connects the southern and northern entrances to the beach. Dogs are prohibited in part due to the nesting and protection of the Western Snowy Plover. Fishing, surfing, beach walking, and jogging are popular activities. [2]

Contents

Proposed for closure

Morro Strands State Beach was one of the 48 California state parks proposed for closure in January 2008 by California's Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as part of a deficit reduction program. [3]

Marine Protected Areas

Morro Bay State Marine Recreational Management Area and Morro Bay State Marine Reserve are marine protected areas within Morro Bay. Like underwater parks, these marine protected areas help conserve ocean wildlife and marine ecosystems. [4]

See also

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Lovers Point State Marine Reserve

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Morro Bay State Marine Recreational Management Area and Morro Bay State Marine Reserve

Morro Bay State Marine Recreational Management Area (SMRMA) and Morro Bay State Marine Reserve (SMR) are two marine protected areas that provide protection for Morro Bay Estuary on California's central coast. The two marine protected areas together encompass 3.31 square miles (8.6 km2). Within the SMRMA, fishing and take of any living marine resources is prohibited except that north of latitude 35° 19.70′ N the recreational take of finfish and aquaculture of oysters, pursuant to a valid state water bottom lease and permit, is permitted. And recreational hunting of waterfowl is allowed unless otherwise restricted by hunting regulations. The SMR protects all marine life within its boundaries. Fishing and take of any living marine resources is prohibited.

Laguna Beach State Marine Reserve (SMR) and Laguna Beach State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) are two adjoining marine protected areas that extend offshore of Laguna Beach in Orange County on California’s south coast. The SMR covers 6.27 square miles, and the SMCA covers an additional 3.44 square miles. These two MPAs are part of a four-MPA complex on the coast of southern Orange County. Each protects marine life by prohibiting or limiting the removal of marine wildlife from within its borders.

Upper Newport Bay State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) is a marine protected area in Newport Bay in Orange County and the South Coast region of Southern California. It extends inland/northeast from the Pacific Coast Highway crossing of the bay, within the city of Newport Beach.

References

Surf board with bottom art, Morro Strand A surf board with bottom art, Morro Bay.jpeg
Surf board with bottom art, Morro Strand