Morro Rock is one of nine volcanic hills about 26 miles (42 km) southeast of San Simeon and 13 miles (21 km) northwest of San Luis Obispo, California. The morros or peaks were created more than 20 million years ago as volcanic plugs of magma that welled up and solidified inside softer rock which has since eroded away.
The Salinan and Chumash tribes who historically inhabited the central and southern California coastal regions consider Morro Rock to be a sacred site. The first Europeans to see Morro Rock were probably Spanish explorers, but its current name was likely given by Juan Crespí, a Franciscan missionary.
Morro Bay is a natural embayment with an artificial harbor. It is the only all-weather small craft harbor between Santa Barbara and Monterey. Morro Rock was originally surrounded by water, but a large causeway was built linking Morro Rock to the mainland. Some of the rock used for the causeway and harbor breakwater was from a quarry that operated on Morro Rock from 1889 to 1969. Today Morro Rock is part of a marine protected area. Read more here and here. Explore more of Morro Rock and Morro Bay here:
