Morro Bay celebrates 60 years as a city

Six decades of waves, wildlife, and wonderful memories

The City of Morro Bay is excited to celebrate the 60th anniversary of its incorporation. It is inviting the public to join and celebrate the city’s Diamond Jubilee.

Events Schedule

Thursday, Sept. 5

Tunes at Tidelands Park

Tidelands Park, 339 Embarcadero, Morro Bay

5 to 7 p.m.

Come for a special Tunes at Tidelands event featuring live music, a wine/beer garden, and vendors. This special 60th anniversary edition of Tunes at Tidelands will include MB 60th Anniversary swag and ’60s-themed decorations. They encourage all to join them in their best ’60s attire.

Friday, Sept. 6

Dahlias & Decades: a 1960s Soiree of Art, Wine, and Memories

Art Center Morro Bay, 835 Main St., Morro Bay

4 to 9 p.m.

Come for an evening of art and celebration at the Art Center Morro Bay. Visitors will enjoy art, music, wine, and beer, light appetizers at the event, and dinner with restaurant specials throughout all of Morro Bay.

Saturday, Sept. 7

Morro Bay Founders Day Parade

10 to 11 a.m.

Enter to join the Morro Bay Founder’s Day Parade or bring the family out to watch the fun. Celebrating the 60 years of Morro Bay, the parade will run down (west) on Morro Bay Boulevard from Piney Way to Market Avenue and then run along Embarcadero (north) from Pacific Street and end at Beach Street. If you want to enter the parade, contact the Recreation Services office at (805) 772-6278 for details and entry information.

Founder’s Day Celebration

Tidelands Park, 339 Embarcadero, Morro Bay

12 to 4 p.m.

The 60th celebration continues with a family fun day with games, vendors, music, city departments, volunteer groups, and community groups to help celebrate the amazing community of Morro Bay. Enjoy the beauty of Morro Bay with this waterfront event and wonderful views of Morro Rock.

Early Days of Morro Bay

A seaside community founded in 1870 by Franklin Riley as a port for the export of agricultural products, Morro Bayowes much to Franklin, who was instrumental in the building of the wharf, which has now become the Embarcadero.During World War II, a U.S. Navy base was built on the north side of Morro Rock, where sailors were trained to operate military landing craft. The breakwater on the southwest side of the rock was built in 1944 to protect the landing craft from entering and leaving the harbor.

In the 1940s, Morro Bay developed its fishing industry, beginning with abalone, and remains a fishing destination today with halibut, sole, rockfish, albacore, and many more species still caught by commercial and sport vessels.

Morro Bay, the city

Morro Bay was incorporated on July 17, 1964, after Pacific Gas and Electric built the Morro Bay Power Plant, which brought jobs and an increased tax base to the area. Nestled along the Pacific Ocean and accessed from California’siconic Highway 1, Morro Bay has a uniquely wild setting and sits along a natural estuary, making it an amazing spot for animal aficionados from bird watchers to sea mammal lovers. Surfers find wonderful waves along Morro Rock, one of nine volcanic plugs along the Central Coast known as the Nine Sisters. Morro Rock stands 576 feet into the sky. Paddleboarders appreciate the calm, glassy waters of the bay protected by a natural sand spit. Morro Bay’s Downtown and the Embarcadero offer first-class cuisine, shopping, art galleries, and fun activities for the whole family.

Since its incorporation, Morro Bay residents have elected their mayor and City Council. Under the mayor and council’spolicy direction, the city provides its residents and visitors with full city services including full-time police, fire, and harbor departments; public works (water, sewer, engineering, roads, facilities, maintenance, groundskeeping); recreation; and community development (land use, building safety, and code enforcement). The city is successfulbecause of a deep dedication to community partnerships and volunteerism that has made Morro Bay a safe and friendly place to live, work, and visit for 60 years and beyond.