Bay Boulevard is an approximately 4-mile highway following the eastern extent of Morro Bay between California State Route 1 and Los Osos Valley Road. This major San Luis Obispo County roadway connects the two coastal communities of Morro Bay and Baywood-Los Osos. Bay Boulevard north of Los Osos Creek was developed as part of a stage road corridor between San Luis Obispo and Morro Bay during the 1860s. Bay Boulevard would not become a truly direct link between Morro Bay and Baywood-Los Osos until a stringer bridge was constructed over Los Osos Creek in 1966.
Part 1; the history of Bay Road
The consolidated community of Baywood-Los Osos is located on the southern tidal estuary of Morro Bay. The community is also located at the western end of Los Osos Valley which also connects it to the city of San Luis Obispo.
Los Osos Valley during the Spanish era was known as "La Canada de Los Osos" due to the significant number of black bears once present in the area. The valley and Morro Bay were first recorded by Don Gaspar de Portola y de Rovira as part of his famous 1769 expedition of Las Californians. Los Osos Valley was first inhabited by the Chumash tribe approximately around the year 500 AD. The Chumash resided in the area for a time after Spanish contact.
In 1868 during the Gold Rush era of California the town of Sunshine Beach was founded in western Los Osos Valley where the Sweet Springs Nature Preserve is presently located. Sunshine Beach was not successful and never fully developed as viable town site. Nonetheless, the endeavor led to a roadway being constructed from San Luis Obispo across Los Osos Valley. This roadway avoided crossing Los Osos Creek due to the erratic tidal estuary. This corridor now forms the basis of modern Los Osos Valley Road, Turri Road and Bay Boulevard north of Los Osos Creek. The San Luis Obispo-Morro Bay Road can be seen passing through Los Osos Valley on the 1882 Bancroft's map of California.
A second attempt to develop southern Morro Bay was launched in 1889 as El Moro but for the most part was also a failure. What is now Baywood Park was first surveyed in 1889 as a 3,000-lot subdivision. Conceptually the subdivision was intended be part of a coastal narrow-gauge railroad line and act as a way to entice the Southern Pacific Railroad to build their Coast Line continuation through Chorro Valley versus the Cuesta Grade. Ultimately the Southern Pacific elected for the Cuesta Grade and the Baywood Park concept was largely shelved.
Los Osos Valley can be seen in detail on the 1897 United States Geological Survey map Cayucos. Modern Turri Road and the portion of Bay Boulevard north Los Osos Creek can be seen as major roadway. The valley is shown devoid of named settlements.
Los Osos Valley Road, Turri Road and Bay Boulevard are all shown as major local roadways connecting San Luis Obispo to Morro Bay on the 1935 Division of Highways map of San Luis Obispo County.
The 1943 United States Geological Survey map of Cayucos displays significant development in Baywood Park. A bridge is displayed on Santa Ysabel Avenue connecting to Turri Road over Los Osos Creek.
Baywood Park and Cuesta-By-The-Sea are shown as active communities on the 1951 United States Geological Survey map of Cayucos.
During 1966 an extension of Bay Boulevard would be extended to Los Osos Valley Road. This construction required a new stringer bridge be constructed at Los Osos Creek. The modern extent of Bay Boulevard appears on the 1981 United States Geological Survey map of San Luis Obispo. The communities of Baywood Park, Los Osos and Cuesta-By-The-Sea have all since consolidated into the Census Designated Place called Baywood-Los Osos.
Part 2; a drive on Bay Boulevard
Southbound Bay Boulevard begins at the outskirts of Morro Bay at California State Route 1 Exit 277.
Bay Boulevard crosses Chorro Creek and passes through the southern grounds of Morro Bay State Park. The roadway emerges onto the eastern extent of Morro Bay.
Bay Boulevard crosses the Los Osos Creek Bridge and enters Baywood-Los Osos.
As Bay Boulevard approaches Los Osos Valley Road traffic is advised the latter can be used to reach US Route 101. Bay Boulevard terminates a short distance beyond the traffic light at Bay Oaks Drive.
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