Morro Bay Harbor and Morro Rock. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, photograph by Carol M. Highsmith.
In 1947, the County of San Luis Obispo was granted sovereign tide and submerged lands in a portion of Morro Bay to hold in trust to operate a harbor and for facilities necessary or convenient to promote commerce and navigation. In 1960, the grant was amended to provide for additional trust purposes including recreational use, and a public park, parking, highway, playground, and business incidental to these uses. The County transferred the title of the tide and submerged lands to the City of Morro Bay when the City was annexed in 1964. As the trustee and successor in interest to these tidelands, the City must comply with the County’s granting statute.