Birding in SLO (Marina, Morro Bay, Cambria: condo, retired, parking)

[cb2008]

Mid September we plan to drive from LA and drive on the coastal road. We are interested in Birding and I have heard a lot about Moro bay and will be stopping there for 2 days at the Embarcadero Inn.
Any advice about the drive, birding, easy trails, where to look.
Btw we are retired and in the 60s and 70 s
Thank you.

[movinon]

Originally Posted by cb2008

Mid September we plan to drive from LA and drive on the coastal road. We are interested in Birding and I have heard a lot about Moro bay and will be stopping there for 2 days at the Embarcadero Inn.
Any advice about the drive, birding, easy trails, where to look.
Btw we are retired and in the 60s and 70 s
Thank you.

I don't have any personal birding experience to report there, but here's a link to the local Audubon Society's website. Looks like lots of good info! Have a wonderful time.

Morro Coast Audubon Society

[AustinTraveler]

Don't miss a visit to the rock where you will find a man with a scope pointing out the peregrine falcons. I go all the time and have never not seen him there. He is located on the south side of the rock.

Google Morro Bay Birding and you will see a ton of interesting information about birding in the area.

Maybe you'll end up coming back for the birding festival:

Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival - California Bird Watching at its Best

When you say you are driving the coastal road, does this mean you are going up Hwy 1 toward Big Sur? If so, be sure and keep an eye out for California Condor. We saw them at a lookout south of Nepenthe and north of McWay Falls.

[Hawk J]

We have gotten much enjoyment observing the Bald Eagles, Golden Eagles, other wildlife from boat & shore, around Lake San Antonio........not too far from Paso Robles.

California Watchable Wildlife

https://www.google.com/#q=Eagle+watc...+Antonio%2C+CA

[Tulemutt]

Originally Posted by cb2008

Mid September we plan to drive from LA and drive on the coastal road. We are interested in Birding and I have heard a lot about Moro bay and will be stopping there for 2 days at the Embarcadero Inn.
Any advice about the drive, birding, easy trails, where to look.
Btw we are retired and in the 60s and 70 s
Thank you.

The best birding in Estero Bay area (SLO, Cambria, Morro Bay, Los Osos) is the Morro Bay estuary itself. There are several sites for great viewing and photography. By far the best and best known is the near-one-mile boardwalk / path around the marina area of the State Park. (Not Morro Strand State Park - but the Morro Bay State Park at the southerly limits of Morro Bay town itself.)

If you drive to the MB State Park entrance you'll see a sign on opposite side of the State Park Drive that points to "Marina and Cafe". Pull in to that marina side parking lot and go left all the way down the long lot and rows of docks until the end of the lot and park at the turn around. That's the little trail head. The path and boardwalk takes you around the edge of the estuary right over the tidal mudflats. You will be surrounded with as much variety of birdlife as can be found anywhere in the state.

The trail is flat and even wheelchair accessible so you can focus on the birds and not on your footing and hill climbing.

Another beautiful viewpoint and trail is the Elfin Forest trail at the north edge of Los Osos / Baywood, not far from the MB State park trail I just described. About 3 - 4 mile drive. You can locate it on your maps probably. There are many entry points off of Santa Ysabel Ave. which intersects with the arterial South Bay Blvd running to Los Osos out of Morro Bay right at the State Park. The Elfin Forest is fascinating in its own right, as well. Miniature oak reserve, it is up on a hillside overlooking the Bay. You won't be nearly as close to the bay birds up there as when you walk the State Park Bay trail mentioned. So bring your binoculars and telephoto. But the breezes rise up and support great soaring wings to enjoy slack-jawed. And with magnification focused you won't feel short-changed.

Much of the Elfin Forest Trail is also boardwalked. Some sandy trail. Easy hiking. But up and down a bit as it rambles. Not really wheelchair easy, but easy for most anyone short of wheelchair bound.

Enjoy

[cb2008]

Thank you for all the great tips. Taking careful notes :-)