Succulent sights along Morro Bay Embarcadero

As much as I like where I live, I always find it hard to go home after a vacation, even if it’s just a short one. So while I’m back in Davis physically, I’m still in Morro Bay mentally. It’s a good thing I took over 700 photos. I’ll have enough material for quite a few blog posts in the weeks and months to come.

Let’s start today with a walk along the Morro Bay Embarcadero, the street that runs along the waterfront. It’s lined with shops, restaurants and hotels. Our motel was conveniently located at the southern end of the Embarcadero so all the sights along the water were within easy walking distance, Even downtown, up the hill a few blocks, was less than a 10 minute walk away. I loved how we were able to do a lot of things without having to drive.

 

LEFT: Central Coast    RIGHT: Detailed map, with places we visited highlighted

The Central Coast of California is not only breathtakingly beautiful, it also has one of the best climates on the West Coast. Winters are mild, with virtually no frost, and summers are sunny and relatively cool (at least compared to the Central Valley), with temperatures rarely climbing above the mid-80s. However, the Central Coast is also one of the more arid parts of the state. Water is always in short supply, even in the best of years, so it makes perfect sense for succulents to be used both in private and public landscaping.

Carpobrotus edulis, with Morro Rock in the background (right)

In fact, I was amazed by the sheer number and variety of succulents planted everywhere in Morro Bay and other coastal towns. I don’t know if this movement evolved on its own or if it’s being driven by the local nursery and landscape designer community. Probably a bit of both. But many businesses and private residences have succulent-centric plantings, most of which are surprisingly sophisticated. I was in heaven!

As you look at the photos in this post, bear in mind that they were taken along one street in a small town of 10,000. That makes it even more astounding.

I’ve never seen a jade plant (Crassula ovata) underplanted with Johnny Jump Ups

This colorful house was right across the street from our motel

Along the Morro Bay waterfront

The garbage can enclosures have murals on them

The largest pig’s ears (Cotyledon orbiculata) I’ve ever seen!

Crown of thorns (Euphorbia milii)

A trio of variegated foxtail agaves (Agave attenuata ‘Variegata’). I was floored to see three of these highly sought-after agaves in such a public place.

 

The plantings outside this cluster of stores was particularly attractive. On the right, you see ×Mangave ‘Macho Mocha’ and a ruffled echeveria hybrid that made me think of corals.

Echeveria ‘Arlie Wright’ (thank you for the ID, Hoov!)

A wider view of this planting

Aloe vaombe (ID by Hoover Boo)

The same ×Mangave and Echeveria from above

Looking in the other direction

Fan aloes (Kumara plicatilis) in the foreground, the trio of variegated foxtail agaves (Agave attenuata ‘Variegata’) in the background

Fan aloe (Kumara plicatilis) and blue chalk fingers (Senecio mandraliscae)

Blue chalk fingers (Senecio mandraliscae) and variegated squid agave (Agave bracteosa ‘Monterrey Frost’)

Blue chalk fingers (Senecio mandraliscae) and Agave ‘Blue Glow’

Blue chalk fingers (Senecio mandraliscae) and Agave ‘Blue Glow’

A very special kind of yoga

Agave attenuata and pride of Madeira (Echium candicans)

Agave attenuata and pride of Madeira (Echium candicans), looking in the other direction

The pink blobs are ice plants in bloom, probably some sort of Lamphranthus?

Succulent planter

Flowering Aeonium ‘Sunburst’, with an unusually small inflorescence

Morro Rock in the early evening

The much hated smokestacks of the decommissioned power plant. Yes, they’re unsightly and out of place, but for me they’re simply part of the skyline of Morro Bay.

Palm trees along the Embarcadero, early evening

Palm trees along the Embarcadero and Morro Rock, early evening

Another scenic waterfront view

Fog rolling in

Night-time view from our motel room balcony

Bamboos behind our motel

The rhizome barrier makes me think this is a running bamboo. I do think the area enclosed by the barrier is far too small to be a permanent solution.

I love these culvert sections!

Agave attenuata and colorful fire hydrant

Agave attenuata outside of Thai Bounty restaurant

Agave attenuata outside of Thai Bounty restaurant

Eucalyptus trees next to our motel, near the boat launch

Colorful house across the street from our motel; you already saw a close-up earlier on

Check out the size of this jade plant (Crassula ovata) on the edge of a parking lot!

New succulent planting near the Sun-N-Buns Bakery & Espresso Bar. It may not look like much now, but it will be stunning in a year of two. Lots of interesting agaves here, including Agave desmettiana ‘Variegata’, Agave weberi, Agave weberi ‘Arizona Star’, Agave salmiana var. ferox ‘Butterfingers’ and Agave funkiana ‘Fatal Attraction’. Not to mention all the other succulents!

Sign near the public restrooms on the Embarcadero

Rain water storage tank outside the public restrooms. This is the size and shape I want.

Pride of Madeira (Echium candicans)

 

LEFT: Pride of Madeira (Echium candicans), underplanted with California lilac (Ceanothus sp.)
RIGHT: Pride of Madeira (Echium candicans), giant chess board, and Morro Rock in the background

In my next post, I’ll take you up the hill into the downtown area. Looks more succulents to come, as well as a garden wedding chapel behind a used book store!

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