After Salvation Mountain, day two of our road trip wasn’t shaping up to be too great with both Jeff and I super tired. He’s a bear when he’s tired, and I’m the actual worst when I’m hungry. Basically we were a dream team on day two. Not! A hotel wasn’t in the plans for a few more days but we needed it. We sat down at Starbucks after scarfing down In-N-Out (because duh!) and decided to head to Morro Bay for the night. It was only a few hours away, and we figured it would be a great place to rest up.
Aaaand we were totally correct! Our hotel was right by the beach, I could even see Morro rock from the window. We ordered a pizza and relaxed while waiting for the sun to get a little bit lower in the sky. While we ate I browsed instagram photos tagged “morro bay”, “morro rock”, and anything else I could think of that would show me photos of nearby things. I found a few photos featuring jellyfish (which I later learned are velella). I was super excited. I was hoping to find one on the beach. We really don’t have anything interesting living in Lake Erie, unless you believe in Bessie, so even dead finding something like a jellyfish is so neat to me.
We walked to the beach a little bit later and there they were. Hundreds (thousands?!) of velella! Jeff’s comment was “Well, here you go!” The first thing out of my mouth was “Grosssss!” But I’m not going to lie, it was pretty cool and I was darn excited. They were impossible not to step on. I tried avoiding them the longest time but eventually gave up after seeing barefoot surfers, and joggers just walking on them like it was no big deal.
Even more exciting than tons of velella? Sand dollars! I have never actually found one myself. I own a few but I have no idea where they came from. I was walking the beach when I spotted one. It was whole but broken on the underside. I was pumped though! A few more feet and I found another. This one was perfect. Then it was just one after another, they were everywhere. I even found a live one complete with a barnacle buddy.
We watched the sun set for what felt like days. Sunsets here, I swear, only last a few minutes. The sky is beautiful but only for a very short amount of time. I feel like we watched the sunset on this beach for so much longer than I’ve ever experienced in my life – and it just kept getting prettier. Then it got foggy. Are you kidding me!? Y’all know how much I love fog.
So quick recap here – velella, sand dollars, prettiest sunset I’ve ever seen, surfers, mountains, and fog. Basically, it was heaven. Have you ever seen one of those silly commercials for California with Arnold Schwarzenegger saying how fun the state is? This should be in one.
Morro Bay, you are pure magic. One night was not enough. I definitely would love to go back and explore the area again someday. If it were possible, I would seriously fly out there RIGHT NOW.
xoxo
You can find more posts from our road trip under the “travel” tag.
38 comments
I have been to California twice and there is still so much to see. Damn. That pizza looks BOSS.
California is SUCH a diverse state. I love it there.
A beach AND mountains? How perfect!
RIGHT?!
These pictures are the BOMB. Seriously gorgeous. Going on my list of must see places, my family lives in So-Cal and I'm always trying to think of fun thing to do while I'm out there.
Thank you !
Definitely definitely go there. It's easily one of my favorite places I've ever been.
that looks so beautiful…
It absolutely was!
oh, my home state! it can be pretty magical, no? the landscape is crazy diverse and the people are super laid back. I'm a little biased, but I do believe the West Coast is the best coast! There's still a lot of it I haven't explored myself, so it's so fun getting ideas from you for places to scope out. Glad you got your jelly fish wish and experienced the wonders of ocean!
-elle
gypsiblog.com
Ugh, yes! The diversity in California is incredible. It blows my mind that one day we were on the this beach and the next we're in the hottest desert I've ever been in.
Oh goodness this sounds like a magical place to spend the evening exploring! I have never heard of velella before!
I hadn't either! Really crazy critters. It's crazy all the different things that live in the water that we aren't all that privy to.
Wow! Those sunset pictures are beautiful. I'd love to go there some day, seems magical.
Thank you, Kaili! 🙂
So I am seriously SO SO excited you guys went to Morro Bay because I have grown up going there every summer! Our family owns a beach house in the nearby town Cayucos and that area is just as you described: pure magic. Next time you go you should definitely check out Montaña de Oro, the nearby state park. It is one of my favorite places in the world and their are some beautiful beaches and tide pools there! Oh mean, I could seriously gush about this place forever haha
You lucky duck! I cannot wait to go back someday.
Beautiful pictures 🙂 it looks like such a fantastic place to visit!
Thank you, Kate! 🙂
Wow sounds like you had a lovely trip, I love watching sunsets as well!
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Watching the sun set is probably one of my favorite things ever.
I love Morro Bay. I've only been there once for a camping trip, but it totally holds a special place in my heart. Plus it was the first place I saw a sea otter in the wild.
I'm glad you guys worked it into your trip. It's definitely a nice way to experience the Pacific coastline.
Ahhh! A sea otter!? How exciting.
I live about two hours away from here and this is my favorite getaway spot when I need to slow down and decompress. I lived here for a short time and it was truly magical. Not sure if you guys made it to the other side where it is restricted… If you can traverse the rocks, it is well worth it! The site is spectacular.
Why ever would you think I would trespass? 😛
We didn't really have much time. We were there less than 24 hours total. Someday though!
Looks so beautiful there, the ocean, the cliff faces… *sigh* travel boner
hahaha, travel boner!
Wow, those pinks and purples in the last two photos! How absolutely gorgeous.
It was the craziest sunset I have ever seen. The colors were just unreal!
These photos are all so gorgeous, but especially the sunset shot with the seagulls; beautiful! 🙂
Thanks! I liked that photo a lot too! Those two were just walking down the beach, and munching on the velella.
Wow, those sunset photos are magnificent. It looks like something out of a dream!
Thanks, Michelle! 🙂
Oh I LOVE Morro Bay. My sister lives about 30 minutes from there in Templeton, and when I have visited her we drive to Morro Bay. She posts many photos of that area on her blog. The Central Cooast of Cali is just awesome. Love your shots!!
Isn't it just the best!? I honestly can't believe it's not a more popular spot.
Thank you!
It sounds like the perfect day :')
I never found a sand dollar but where I live it's not possible (although I live near the sea). But since I learned about them on university and how they were use as money in old times, I just wanted some to my ltitle collection 😀
Love this series of photos! Morro Bay is definitely one of the best parts of the state, I just love that whole area in general. And this shows me why I should travel with other photogs – they get the need for the good light (but at least it's not too hard to convince someone to do sunset on the beach!). 🙂
I live in Morro Bay : ) If you ever want a place to stay, hit me up!!
Wow the sunset is really amazing. I haven't seen one as pretty as this before. Usually the ones around here have more orangy colors than pinkish ones!
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