Beach Bungalow and Bivalves

by Ruth Ann Angus

What does an upscale inn and an oyster farm have in common? Well, the answer is a new package deal coming this spring for tourists in Morro Bay.

But I get ahead of myself.

The estuary at Morro Bay has been home to wild oysters possibly for thousands of years. We know the Chumash cherished them for we've found shell remnants in the middens they left behind.

Oysters are interesting creatures. They can't make up their minds what sex they want to be. They start life as males and change sex several times, ending their lives as females. The Native Pacific Oyster is particularly sensitive to pollution, which probably accounts for its decline in our area. The Giant Pacific Oyster, also known as the Japanese Oyster, is the species now farmed.

Commercial farming of oysters here has been around since the 1930s and a variety of water acreage has changed hands over the years. There are two oyster farmers on the bay now. One farms near to the sandspit and the other, the Morro Bay Oyster Company, leases over 134 acres near the estuary and into the back bay. Neal Maloney, owner of the company, began working here in 2004 for the former owner of the site. He is well qualified with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Biology from the University of Oregon.

Oysters are filter feeders and as such are sensitive to any changes in the water. When it rains, sediments and pollution wash into the estuary from land. "As soon as we get four tenths of an inch of rain we're closed for 12 days," Neal said. Weekly water and meat samples are sent to the County Health Department to be checked. Because there is always a chance that toxins—like domoic acid—could be present, this precaution is necessary. Recent rains shut the beds down. Fortunately bay waters completely flush out in 28 hours lessening the impact on the bivalves.

So what does this all have to do with an inn? Before Beach Bungalow Inn & Suites was renovated it was just another of the funky older motels in town. Owners John and Joan Solu did a complete overhaul of the property last year. The outcome is a series of beautifully appointed rooms and stylish grounds. All of them have large luxurious beds, flat screen TVs, fireplaces, chairs, tables, small refrigerators, wireless internet, Turkish robes, bath accessories, and coffee and tea. There is a view of Morro Rock from the site and in one of the outside gardens is a fire pit that is lit at night.

John was in charge of the reconstruction while Joan did all of the decorating. She even salvaged an unusual fountain that she had placed in the garden area in the front of the property. One of the nicest amenities offered is a voucher for a full free breakfast at a choice of The Hungry Fisherman or Mi Casa.

Now, John believes in helping out the economy of Morro Bay so he thought he would make an investment in the oyster company and give a boost to other businesses too with this new package deal. Here's how it is going to work.

John and Neal ordered special tanks that will be installed on the waterfront. Oysters will be channeled from the farm to the tanks and sold from there. The tanks can hold 30,000 oysters. Placing the bivalves into these tanks will help alleviate the problems from the temporary closings of the farm. Water from the farm site will be used in the tanks although it will be filtered and sterilized. Testing of these oysters will also occur. The tanks will enable the business to supply their customers rapidly and without interruption. The entire facility will serve as an educational tool for the public as well.

Guided package tours will be offered. The tour will consist of a stay at the Inn, a one-hour tour on the water with Lost Isle Adventures, a stop to view the oyster farm in the back bay where folks will receive oysters to be brought back to shore and cooked and served with a complimentary glass of champagne at Giovanni's Fish Market & Galley, and a tour of the oyster tanks. This package will also be available at other overnight accommodations in town, not just at the Beach Bungalow. John and Neal said they expect the tanks to be up and running by March and tours will go into place at the start of this year's tourist season.

This is a great new way for people to enjoy our bay and waterfront and learn something about the ecology of estuary.