Point Bouchon Natural Arches, Morro Bay CA
Posted by: 
arby101ca
N 35° 14.522 W 120° 53.533
10S E 691784 N 3901919
The spectacular coastline at Point Bouchon has several natural arches. This section of the coastline is protected as the extended site of the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant.
Waymark Code: WM8Q37
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 04/30/2010
Views: 8
Remember the 1979 classic movie "The China Syndrome" starring Jane Fondle? This movie released 12 days before the Three Mile Island meltdown set back the nuclear power industry for a generation. The movie was set at the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant. There are some unforeseen consequences including the protection of the spectacular coastline at Point Bouchon. This is California at its finest. A spectacular natural area with a beleaguered nuclear power plant beside a state park begging for funds in a bankrupt state! Get over it, Go for a hike.
Drive to the gate at the end of the road in Montana de Oro State Park, walk across Coon Creek and check in with security for Pacific Gas and Electric. You have to sign in and out. Check the time as you have to sign out when the close down or they send out searchers to bring you in. Walk down to the shore and enjoy the scenery, the birds, sea otters, flowers, sea stacks and natural arches.
The coastline is significantly more interesting than Montana de Oro particularly past Disney Point. The first natural arch is a double arch under a point. Next is an arch through an island. Then you see the sea stacks with multiple arches. Wow. This is a spectacular coastline.
Continue along past the grazing cattle to Windy Point for a view of Diablo Point NPP. Under the twin domes are 1100 MW nuclear reactors that have been pumping out reliable electric power for over 30 years. This area had been totally restricted. It is now opened on a controlled basis as PG&E is working towards a life extension of the nuclear power plant. I am please that they are coming out of their shell and people are recognizing that nuclear power may not be so bad after all. Compare this to the three tall stacks of the Morro Bay Power Plant belching out carbon dioxide.
Diablo is Spanish for Devil. Bouchon is French for the cork in a wine bottle. There are interesting contrasts along this wild coast.
Photo of the Arch by itself?: yes
Type of Arch: Coastline
Type of Material:
Coastal erosion of the rock cliffs,
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