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 ...
Santa Rita Road is approximately 15.4-mile rural highway located in the Santa Lucia Mountains of San Luis Obispo County. This corridor begins in Templeton at Templeton Hills Road and becomes a dirt surfaced roadway upon departing the city westbound. Santa Rita Road is carried over the Santa Lucia Mountains via an unnamed pass and terminates at Old Creek Road near Cayucos. Historically what is now called Santa Rita Road was known as "Cayucos-Templeton Road." Portions of the road connecting Cayucos directly to Templeton first began to appear on maps in the late 1890s. Approximately 14 miles of Santa Rita Road remain unpaved but are easy to traverse in dry weather by any motorized vehicle. Part 1; the history of Santa Rita Road Historically what is now called Santa Rita Road was known as Cayucos-Templeton Road. As the original name implies it was once the primary highway across the Santa Lucia Mountains which linked Templeton in Salinas Valley west...