About the Morro Bay Maritime Museum
Local Vision, Lasting Legacy
The Morro Bay Maritime Museum was the brainchild of the late Brent Roberts. In the early 1990s Brent assembled a group of like-minded folks who shared an interest in preserving maritime history. After a few meetings this group decided to call themselves the Central Coast Maritime Museum Association (CCMMA) and in 1995 the group incorporated itself as a a public-benefit, non-profit entity. In the ensuing years the CCMMA board of trustees worked with City leaders and the business community to explore viable locations on the Morro Bay waterfront for a Maritime Museum. Meanwhile, while this planning was occurring, CCMMA sponsored and participated in other activities such as more than 20 Morro Bay Harbor Festivals as the host of the Maritime Heritage Pavilion.
Our Mission
The Morro Bay Maritime Museum’s mission is to provide an easily accessible educational venue for maritime history, science, and technology.
CCMMA also initiated and sponsored the visits of various tall ships to Morro Bay including the Hawaiian Chieftain, Lady Washington, the replica of the caravel La Nina, and the Australian HMS Endeavour replica. More recently, in 2016 and 2023, CCMMA partnered with the Maritime Museum of San Diego and sponsored a two week visit of the San Salvador as part of the vessel’s inaugural Pacific Heritage Tour.
The San Salvador galleon, a replica of Juan Cabrillo’s flagship of 1542, was the culmination of years of planning and millions of dollars and Morro Bay was honored by being among the first host ports for this tour. The San Salvador visit also precipitated a small group of local individuals to take a financial leap of faith by making a capital investment of $1542 for the Morro Bay Maritime Museum project. This group became known as the 1542 Navigator’s Circle. Their investment, combined with ticket and merchandise sales, made the October 2016 San Salvador visit so successful that the project was sufficiently funded to move forward into its current phase.
Over the years CCMMA has also partnered with various groups such as the NOAA and the Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary in initiating the first manned dive on the SS Montebello, a 440’ long Union Oil tanker torpedoed and sunk near our shores in the opening days of WWII. CCMMA also worked with California Sea Grant to fund and organize the Central Coast Maritime Oral History Program, capturing and memorializing an important primary source of history and personal stories of individuals connected with local maritime industries.
CCMMA worked with Caltrans, Chevron and the firm Associated Pacific to develop the anchor display at Tidelands Park on the Embarcadero.
CCMMA is also coordinating with the local Salinan Indian tribe to develop outdoor and indoor interpretive elements that will memorialize California’s first watermen.
CCMMA, renamed the Morro Bay Maritime Museum in 2023, has established itself as a positive force in contributing to Morro Bay’s economy and maritime village sense-of-place. Visit the Morro Bay Maritime Museum at 1210 Embarcadero across from the south T-Pier, on the Morro Bay waterfront. Stop by and say hello and soak up history at the edge of the continent! We have something of interest for everyone, from toddlers to grandparents!
“Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing – absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.”
– Wind in the Willows
Board of Directors
Kendall Welch
President
Janet Newland
Vice President
Homer Alexander
Treasurer
Heather Vesterfelt
Secretary
Board Members at Large
Ron Reisner
Mike Gerson
Rich Pescatore
Jeremiah O’Brien
Chris Vaille
Testimonials
At the Morro Bay Maritime Museum, we strive to create an unforgettable experience for history lovers, families, students, and maritime enthusiasts alike. But don’t just take our word for it—hear what our visitors, members, and supporters have to say!
Join the Museum Family.
Support free admission, field trips, and exhibits that connect generations through the power of maritime history.
