Visitors from Japan were welcomed to Morro Bay when they stopped here for a sightseeing cruise during a Discover America Road Trip. From left: City Councilmember Christine Johnson, Yamamosa Rita, Capt. Randy Ryan, Nagisa Fugikato and Morro Bay Mayor Jamie Irons.

Lunch aboard the Papagallo II while touring the bay was a high point for Japanese visitors on a sightseeing trip along the California coast.

The visitors, representatives of Brand USA’s office in Japan, were here to try out one of several new travel routes designed for international visitors by the American travel-promotion agency.

After stops at Hearst Castle and Cambria, the group arrived in Morro Bay on a cold and rainy March 1. They were greeted by city officials before boarding Papagallo II for a luncheon cruise hosted by the Morro Bay Tourism Bureau. The weather cooperated, and there was little more than a light drizzle during their three-hour tour of the bay, where they saw sea lions, birds and oyster farming, as well as getting a great, up-close view of the waterfront and Morro Rock.

During the visit, the team posted messages, photos and videos about their adventure on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. The images they collected will also be used online to promote the California tour to other international visitors.

Following their day in Morro Bay, they headed to San Luis Obispo for a stay at the Madonna Inn, then on down the coast to Los Angeles.