Morro Bay, a seaside village in California, may be best known for its ancient volcanic plug, Morro Rock, which rises 576 feet from the ocean. However, the unique collection of the Morro Bay Maritime Museum is another popular attraction.
Linda’s Pick of the Exhibits
Selecting a favorite in the Morro Bay Maritime Museum was easy for me! It was, hands down, the Cold War Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) Avalon.
Fast Fact: The DSRV Avalon was featured in the 1990 film Hunt for Red October and the 2018 film, Hunter Killer.
Accident That Established the Need for Undersea Rescue
The DSRV Avalon was created in response to the USS Thresher submarine disaster.
The USS Thresher atomic submarine was the first of a new, technologically superior class that could dive further beneath the ocean, and run quieter along the ocean floor, than any of the submarines that had come before it. It was launched by the US on July 9, 1960, during the Cold War era.
Fast Fact: The Triton nuclear submarine (the only Western submarine powered by two nuclear reactors) made the first submerged trip around the world in 1960. The trip took 84 days. This meant submarine rescues could be needed anywhere at any time.
But back to the USS Thresher. On April 10, 1963, the Thresher plummeted to the depths of the Atlantic Ocean off Cape Cod. One-hundred-twelve military staff and seventeen civilians died when it went down.
How Did Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicles Work?
It took nine years, until July, 1972, to develop a rescue machine — a Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV). Two were produced, the DSRV Mystic and DSRV Avalon 2.
Once the DSRV arrived at a rescue site, it could dive, then locate and attach itself to a downed submarine.
Just like spaceship dockings on television shows, the hatches between the ships opened and the crew moved to safety. Once the mission was complete, the DSRV detached and surfaced to a specially designed rescue ship.
How long did the DSRV Avalon operate?
The DSRV Avalon, and its twin, Mystic, were the pioneers of submarine rescue. The Avalon, when it retired, was moved up the California coast to Morro Bay, to become part of its growing Maritime Museum.
The DSRV Avalon was decommissioned in 2000, while Mystic remained active until 2008. The DSRV line of rescue vehicles have been replaced by the Submarine Rescue and Diving Recompression System (SRDRS) 21st century technology.
Escaping a submarine has never been an easy task, although the DSRV solved many of the challenges of rescuing the survivors of a downed submarine.
The first challenge was creating a rescue device that could be moved to the required location when it was needed.
So, the Avalon could be transported by land, air, and on or beneath the sea. And, it could operate in any type of condition, even under ice.
Today’s modern SRDRS ships no longer need the rescue ship, and have a more rapid response time.
But to appreciate the technology incorporated into the DSRV Avalon, you really need to watch this 1953 video showing the only escape procedures in place. After watching it, I’m sure you’ll the personnel who served their countries on submarines were truly heroes.
What’s at the Morro Bay Maritime Museum?
The Morro Bay Maritime Museum and City of Morro Bay are working together to help preserve the maritime history of the California coast.
The museum does this with an exhibit building and an outdoor exhibit area.
In addition to the Avalon, the outdoor Maritime Museum collection consists of various artifacts.
These are just a few of the neat things you’ll find:
- 1880s Whaler’s Trypot used to boil oil from whale blubber
- 1927 small wooden tugboat, Alma
- 1930s deep-sea submersible used to study marine wildlife
- 1933 Monterey styled boat, Spindrift
- Skeleton of a 27-foot-long whale found on the beach in the 1970s
- 1976 Two-person submersible homebuilt by Donald R. Biegel and his son Robert in Arroyo Grande
- 1983 U.S. Coast Guard Surf Rescue Boat
- 2024 augmented reality mural providing an immersive, interactive experience
Families will love the interactive maritime Kids Cove and Legos exhibit. What’s in it? Lots, but some of the key elements include a ship’s cannon compartment to dislay a 16th Century ship’s cannon, a display where you learn to tie various “sailor’s knots,” and a demonstration showing how a block and tackle system works.
Fast Fact: The cannon in the museum was salvaged off the coast of Florida. It had been underwater for around 500 years!
And of course, there are lots of exhibits indoors too. They cover a variety of artifacts and displays for maritime history including its abalone diving industry, science, and technology. The museum also has an excellent research library containing historical videos, photographs and local oral histories.
Linda’s Road Trip Tips
I really enjoyed being hosted in Morro Bay after attending a NATJA conference for travel writers. It was a great place to relax and enjoy the seaside from my room at the Ascot Suites. And it was the first time I’d seen water-enthusiasts surfing.
But of course, I also explored a lot of nearby places.
My visit to Hearst Castle gave me insights in the lives of the rich (make that really rich) and famous in the 1920s and ’30s. It was the first — and likely last — time I ever walked on real gold!
At Halter Ranch winery I discovered some amazing wines, and ultimately, earned a photography award from NATJA for my photo of the vineyards.
Check out the winning photo below!
Unfortunately, I didn’t get an opportunity to do the Morro Bay Sub Sea Tours or go out on the Catamaran.
Who Should Visit the Morro Bay Maritime Museum?
The Morro Bay Maritime Museum is the perfect place to take the kids for an afternoon or a day. Mind you, adults also find it interesting. With a diverse collection of outdoor exhibits ranging from 1880s whaling to the Cold War, there’s something to suit every interest.
Information boards ensure you don’t go away wondering what things are either. They provide excellent background to the artifacts and explain their maritime significance.
If you’re just interested in a quick visit, you can cover all of the exhibits in an hour or so. However, if you want to experience the interactives or listen to the local oral histories in the Research Library, your visit will take longer.
You may also want to plan your trip around one of the museum’s annual events.
The single floor museum is readily accessible, as are the outdoor exhibits.
How Do You Visit the Morro Bay Maritime Museum?
The museum is located in Morro Bay, California, at 1210 Embarcadero, opposite the pier.
Parking: The museum building has an adjoining parking lot that's free.
Morro Bay Maritime Museum is open year-round. You can check days and hours open on the Morro Bay Maritime Museum website. Note that outdoor exhibits are available all the time.
Keep up-to-date with what’s happening with the Morro Bay Maritime Museum Facebook page.
Check out the museum virtually with the Morro Bay Maritime Museum YouTube page.
Plan your visit with Google maps.
Find More Museums to Visit in California
Check out all of guide2museum.com’s reviews of museums in California.
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Acknowledgements
My visit to Morro Bay was hosted by San Luis Obispo County as part of a post-trip after the North American Travel Journalists Association (NATJA) conference in Oxnard, California. This review consists of my personal experiences and opinions.
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