and connected with it by a narrow-gauge railway, is 34 mile northward from Point San Luis in the most sheltered part of the bay, where a wharf known as the "Port San Luis Wharf ", nearly 1/2 mile long, is built out southward. There is a large warehouse about midway of its length, and a hotel, closed for several years, at its base. Near the gulch, 1/4 mile from the hotel, are a few small houses and a number of oil tanks.

The outer end of the wharf has been removed. The berthing space is now opposite the warehouse with a depth of 20 feet (6.1 m) alongside at mean lower low water. The outer portion of the wharf is used for car storage only.

To reach the wharf, deep-draft vessels passing 300 yards southeastward of the lighted whistle buoy steer for the stack at Avila, course 29° true (N. by E. % E. mag.) until the end of the wharf is abeam; then steer for the end of the wharf, course 299° true (WNW. 8 W. mag.).

Pier No. 2, known as the "middle dock," is built out 3,150 feet from Fossil Point and has a depth of 32 feet (9.8 m) at low water at its outer end. About 200 yards inside its outer end the wharf crosses a rocky patch having 17 feet (5.2 m) over it, and care should be exercised in that vicinity. The oil tankers, which are the only deep-draft vessels entering the bay, use this wharf.

Avila, population 315 (1930 census), 11⁄2 miles northeastward of Point San Luis, is a small settlement of no commercial importance. A county wharf has been built to a depth of 25 feet (7.6 m), but it is in poor condition and is seldom used commercially. It is used to some extent as a landing for fishing and pleasure boats.

Anchorage. The best anchorage for small vessels is in 32 to 4 fathoms (6.4 to 7.3 m), muddy bottom, midway between the end of the Port San Luis Wharf and North Whaler Island. Large vessels can anchor anywhere between the Port San Luis and the Fossil Point Wharves, avoiding the 18-foot (5.5 m) spot 250 yards eastward of the warehouse near the middle of the former. This anchorage affords good shelter in northerly or westerly weather, but is exposed in southerly or southeasterly weather. Southeast gales occur two or three times during the winter season.

Customs.-Port San Luis is a subport of the San Francisco customs district, and a deputy collector of customs is stationed at Avila, Calif.

Commerce. The port is used solely for the shipment of oil and a few commodities produced locally and for the receipt of supplies required for local consumption. The shipments of petroleum products amount to about 99 percent of the total traffic.

Supplies.-Fuel oil, water, and provisions can be obtained. Coal is not kept on hand but can be produced on short notice.

Communication is by irregular coasting steamers and by rail and stage. There are telephone and telegraph facilities.

For detailed information concerning port conditions, facilities, regulations, rates, commerce, and communications consult Port Series No. 13, part 2, prepared by the Corps of Engineers, United States Army in cooperation with the Bureau of Operations, United States Shipping Board.

DIRECTIONS, SAN LUIS OBISPO BAY, CHART 5386

These directions are available for vessels of any draft and lead to the anchorage.

From southward. From a position 2 miles 242° true (SW. mag.) from Point Arguello Lighthouse steer 356° true (N. by W. % W. mag.) for 34 miles. This course made good should lead to the bell buoy southward of Souza Rock. Pass 100 yards or more westward of the bell buoy and head for the middle dock, course 2° true (N. by W. 3% W. mag.) for 2 miles, until the end of the Port San Luis Wharf is 1 point forward of the beam. Then haul to 318° true (NW. by W. 4 W. mag.), passing about midway between the ends of the two wharves, and select anchorage according to the draft.

From northward. From a position with San Luis Obispo Lighthouse bearing 52° true (NE. % N. mag.), distant 311⁄2 miles (which position may be reached in thick weather by following the 30-fathom (55 m) curve to the fog signal 'abeam), steer 65° true (NE. 14 E. mag.) for 4 miles, passing 200 yards southeastward of Port Harford lighted whistle buoy, and to a position with the middle dock bearing 2° true (N. by W. % W. mag.). Then proceed as directed in the preceding paragraph.

COAST FROM POINT BUCHON TO POINT SUR, CHART 5302

From Point Buchon to Point Sur the coast trends northwestward for 80 miles with but one marked indentation, Estero Bay, immediately north of Point Buchon. Above Estero Bay the coast is bold and rugged, elevations of 2,000 to 5,000 feet (610 to 1,524 m) being found within less than 3 miles from the shore. The dangers do not extend over 1 mile from the shore, which is generally fringed with kelp, and except at a point 10 miles from Point Sur the 30fathom (55 m) curve is a good guide in thick weather. Several of the higher mountain peaks are good distinguishing landmarks, and the features alongshore are easily recognized.

From Point Buchon the coast trends in a general northerly direction for 11 miles and then turns sharply westward for 5 miles to Point Esteros, forming Estero Bay. The southeastern shore of the bay is low.

Morro Bay, a shoal lagoon several miles in extent, is separated from Estero Bay by a narrow strip of sand beach. The entrance is along the southern side of El Morro, but it is available for small, light-draft craft only in smooth weather. The depths in the channel are variable, and the position shifts so that a stranger should not attempt an entrance without local knowledge. Once inside, there is good protection for launches. A pilot may be had by making a signal off the town. A project is now (1934) under way to construct a breakwater from El Morro to the north side of the entrance to Morro Bay. The town of Morro Bay, population 800 (1930 census), is situated on the eastern shore of the bay near the entrance. Gasoline, water, and provisions may be had. There is a good highway to San Luis Obispo and to Cayucos.

El Morro, 573 feet (175 m) high, is a prominent conical rock 7 miles northward from Point Buchon and about 300 yards offshore.

It is off the entrance to Morro Bay and is visible from a considerable distance in clear weather. Pillar Rock, 100 feet (30.5 m) high, lies about 50 feet from its northern side.

A submarine oil-loading pipe has been installed at the mouth of Torro Creek about 22 miles north of El Morro. Moorings are provided for tankers when taking on oil. The position is marked by a bell buoy and Estero Bay lighted whistle buoy is located 22 miles to the westward. Another oil-loading pipe will be installed in 1935. Northward of El Morro the shore becomes bolder, the seaward faces of Cayucos Point and Point Esteros consisting of cliffs 50 to 90 feet (15.2 to 27.4 m) high.

Cayucos Landing, population 260 (1930 census) is 11 miles northward from Point Buchon, in the northeastern corner of Estero Bay. The landing is no longer used (1933) and the wharf is falling to pieces. There is a large general store here, and a limited amount of provisions may be had. Mouse Rock, the outer danger, is marked by a bell buoy, and the best anchorage is south of this bell buoy. Southerly storms occur six or seven times during the winter season; northwesterly gales occur during the summer, causing a heavy swell that breaks on the reef and off the end of the dock. Travel is by motor stage over a good highway to San Luis Obispo.

Constantine Rock, with 8 feet (2.4 m) over it and marked by kelp, lies 1⁄2 mile off Cayucos Point, 3 miles eastward from Point Esteros; it is marked by a buoy placed 600 feet southward of the rock.

From Point Esteros northward to abreast of Von Helm Rock, 7 miles, the coast consists of bluffs 20 to 60 feet (6.1 to 18.3 m) high, backed by a steep range of grassy hills 500 to 700 feet (152 to 213 m) high. The beach is well fringed with kelp, with a number of small rocks lying close inshore, of which White Rock, 6 miles northward from the point, is the most prominent.

Von Helm Rock, with 15 feet (4.6 m) over it, lies abreast of a wooded point 72 miles west-northwestward from Point Esteros and 111⁄2 miles east-southeastward from Piedras Blancas Lighthouse; it is nearly 1 mile offshore. A lighted whistle buoy is placed 150 yards west-southwestward from the rock; vessels should not pass eastward of the buoy. An obstruction has been reported 21⁄2 miles southeast of the rock and 3/4 mile off the shore.

Santa Rosa Creek empties 811⁄2 miles northwestward from Point Esteros; the town of Cambria is located 1 mile inland and cannot be seen from seaward.

From Santa Rosa Creek to San Simeon Point the cliffs are 20 to 30 feet (6.1 to 9.1 m) high and backed by low rolling hills, here and there covered with trees.

Cambria Rock, about 10 feet (3.0 m) high, lies 1/2 mile offshore, a little northward of the mouth of Santa Rosa Creek. It is small and sharp with a breaker 125 yards southward and eastward.

Pico Rock, 12 feet (3.7 m) high, lies 2 miles northward from Cambria Rock and 1⁄2 mile offshore. There is foul ground_northward and southward of the rock, but not extending more than 12 mile from the beach.

San Simeon Point is low, with a group of houses and trees on the inner side 300 yards from the point. The trees show well from northward, but from southward the warehouses and buildings in the village are more prominent. From northward the point itself is not easily recognized unless familiar with it. It is marked by a bell buoy placed in 7 fathoms (12.8 m) of water 3 mile southeast of the point.

San Simeon Bay and landing lie immediately eastward of San Simeon Point. It affords good shelter in northerly weather, but a slight swell makes around the point. It is exposed in southerly weather. Farm produce is shipped and general merchandise received. A wharf has been built out to 16 (4.9 m) feet. Provisions can be obtained, and water has been piped to the head of the dock and can be taken aboard with a long hose. The best anchorage is in the middle of the bight in 5 to 8 fathoms (9.1 to 14.6 m), hard sand. Southeasterly and southwesterly storms are liable to occur any time during the winter, compelling vessels to leave. Communication may be had by regular coasting steamers and there is a daily mail by stage to San Luis Obispo.

Landmarks. The very large house high up in the hills, about 3 miles northeastward from the wharf is very prominent, especially at night when it is flood lighted. The private airport is also conspicuous when lighted. There is also an aero beacon.

From southward. From a position 1⁄2 mile southwestward of Von Helm Rock lighted whistle buoy steer 334° true (NW. 14 N. mag.) for 7 miles, with the wharf at San Simeon ahead, which leads to the anchorage.

From northward. From a position 11⁄2 miles 232° true (SW. % S. mag.) from Piedras Blancas Lighthouse steer 106° true (E. 1/8 N. mag.) for 6 miles to a position 3/4 mile south-southeastward of San Simeon Point. Round San Simeon Point at a distance of over 11⁄2 mile, steer 337° true (NW. 12 N. mag.) for the wharf, and anchor in the middle of the bay. San Simeon Point should be given a berth of over 1/4 mile and the eastern shore of the bay a berth of 1⁄2 mile. From San Simeon Point to Piedras Blancas, 5 miles, the coast is low with numerous detached rocks, lying in some cases 1/2 mile offshore. These are usually well marked by kelp.

Point Piedras Blancas is a low, rocky point projecting about 1/2 mile from the general trend of the coast and is marked at its end by Piedras Blancas Lighthouse, a white conical tower. The light is group flashing white (flash 0.5 second, eclipse 3 seconds, flash 0.5 second, eclipse 11 seconds), 158 feet (48 m) above the water, and visible 19 miles. The fog signal is an air siren (blast 3 seconds, silent 17 seconds). Sand dunes extend northeastward from the point. Two prominent white rocks lie off the point, the higher rising 130 feet (40 m), close under it to the westward, and the other, a double rock 82 feet (25 m) high, about 3/4 mile to the eastward and 500 yards offshore. These rocks give the name, Piedras Blancas (Spanish for White Rocks), to the point.

A prominent house, 1,602 feet (488 m) above sea level about 6 miles ENE. from Point Piedras Blancas, can sometimes be seen when the lighthouse and adjacent coast line are obscured by fog and haze.

Anchorage for a small vessel, with protection from northwesterly winds, may be had under Point Piedras Blancas in 4 to 5 fathoms (7.3 to 9.1 m), sandy bottom, with the lighthouse bearing 280° true (W. 2 S. mag.), distant about 1/4 mile.

A break is reported to have been seen in a heavy westerly swell about 3 miles (W. 1⁄2 N. mag.) from Piedras Blancas Lighthouse. The least depth found on subsequent search was 14 fathoms (25.6 m).

From Piedras Blancas Point to the mouth of the San Carpoforo Valley, 8.6 miles, the coast continues low, with numerous outlying rocks, and is well fringed with kelp. Harlech Castle Rock, with 1 foot (0.3 m) over it, lies 12 miles 326° true (NW. 2 W. mag.) from Piedras Blancas Lighthouse and nearly 34 mile offshore; this rock is usually marked by kelp.

Point Sierra Nevada, 34 miles northward from Piedras Blancas, is a low, bluff point covered with sand dunes. La Cruz Rock, 48 feet (14.6 m) high, lies 1⁄2 mile southward of the point and 400 yards off the mouth of Arroyo La Cruz.

Ragged Point, 1⁄2 mile southward of the mouth of the San Carpoforo Valley, is a low projecting point, with visible rocks and ledges, extending 1/4 mile westward.

From the San Carpoforo Valley northward to the Big Sur River, 41 miles, the coast is very bold and rugged. The cliffs are 200 to 500 feet (61 to 152 m) high, and the land rises rapidly to elevations of 2,500 to 5,000 feet (762 to 1,524 m) in 2 to 3 miles. There are few beaches and few outlying rocks.

Salmon Cone, about 500 feet (152 m) high, is 10 miles northward from Piedras Blancas. It is a prominent rocky butte close to the beach. A conspicuous white rock, 39 feet (11.9 m) high, lies just southward of the butte 1/2 mile offshore.

From Salmon Cone to Cape San Martin, 6 miles, the coast is intersected by several narrow, deep gulches or canyons, Villa Canyon and Alder Creek being the most prominent. A white rock, 64 feet (19.5 m) high, lies 1/4 mile offshore 1 mile southward of the mouth of Villa Canyon.

Cape San Martin, 16 miles northward from Piedras Blancas, presents a ragged, precipitous seaward face for a distance of 3 miles, with numerous detached rocks. It is marked by a flashing white unwatched light 200 feet above the water (flash 2 seconds, eclipse 28 seconds). San Martin Rocks, three in number, lie off the northern extremity of the cape, the outer one, 44 feet (13.4 m) high, being about 1/2 mile offshore. The inner one, 168 feet (51 m) high, lies 100 yards offshore, and the middle and lowest one, 34 feet (10.4 m) high, about halfway between the other two.

A rock with 11 feet (3.3 m) over it lies about 34 mile 139° true from Whaleboat Rock.

From Cape San Martin to Lopez Point the coast forms an open bight 10 miles long and 2 miles wide, with rugged shores intersected. occasionally by deep, narrow valleys. There are a few detached rocks, but with one exception they do not extend far from the beach. Tide Rock, awash and usually showing a break, is a small, black rock 4 miles northward of Cape San Martin and 3 mile off shore.