Amphibious Training Base Morro Bay

The base opened in 1941 to train troops for the Pacific theater of operations' island leapfrogging using landing craft and LCVP.

The near Estero Bay was the site of training assault also, by the Navy, US Army, US Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard also taking over the unused vacation hotel there.

Nearby United States Army Air Corps fields had fighter aircraft fire flour shot to make the training more real.

In the base and in nearby Los Osos and Baywood live fire bombing, machine gun, bazookas, and flamethrowers were used for training.

The site is in the current town of Baywood-Los Osos, California and the Morro Bay State Park.

Avila Beach's Amphibious Training Base Morro Bay on 7 March 1944. An amphibious training exercise, with pontoon bridge attached to Landing Ship, Tank. Army Signal Corps photo.
Site of the Amphibious Training Base Morro Bay in a panoramic view of Morro Bay (near side of sandspit), Estero bay (far side of sandspit), Los Osos, Baywood Park, Chorro Valley, and Hollister Peak, from Black Hill
The Red outline is the Baywood Park Training Area only
Duke Energy Morro Bay Power Plant, site of former Amphibious Training Base Morro Bay HQ
Morro Bay site of the former Amphibious Training Base Morro Bay
Avila Beach, with Point San Luis at left
Seal of the Army National Guard
Seal of the Army National Guard
Seal of the Air National Guard
Seal of the Air National Guard