California Coast: What to do in Morro Bay

Last updated: 10/03/2021

Discover the city of Morro Bay, located on scenic Highway 1, the beautiful highway in California with incredible views of the Pacific Ocean. Here you will find information about the city, attractions tips, where to eat, where to stay and much more!

THE CITY OF MORRO BAY

Morro Bay is a small town in San Luis Obispo County, on the coast of California that has a population of about 10,000. In the past, Morro Bay was part of a Chumash American Indian settlement near Morro Creek. The Spanish Portola Expedition was the first European land exploration in the Alta California region and descended the Los Osos Valley, camping near present-day Morro Bay in 1769. The town of Morro Bay was officially founded by Franklin Riley in 1870 as an export port. of dairy and agricultural products.

In addition to being the name of the city, Morro Bay is the name of the large estuary that lies along the north shore of the bay itself. The largest bay in which the local area is located is Estero Bay, which also encompasses the communities of Cayucos and Los Osos. Much of Morro Bay is a wildlife area and a part is designated a bird sanctuary. Morro Bay is located in a natural harbor, making it a fantastic place to see marine life. It is a natural refuge for animals such as seals, sea lions, sea otters, plovers, peregrine falcons and more and there are two marine protected areas known as Morro Bay State Marine Recreational Management Area and Morro Bay State Marine Reserve. Like underwater parks, these marine protected areas help conserve ocean wildlife and marine ecosystems. Currently, tourism is the biggest contributor to the city's economy, along with commercial fishing.

>> WHY THE CITY IS CALLED MORRO BAY

A curiosity is that the name of the city is due to the fact that in its territory rock hill, a large rock of volcanic origin in the form of a round hill that is about 176 meters high. Originally Morro Rock surrounded by water, but the northern channel was filled in to form the city's harbor. The surroundings of the Morro Rock base are open to visitors, with parking lots and trails. However, climbing the rock itself is prohibited except with a permit, due to the risk of injury and because it is a peregrine falcon reserve.

>> THE CHIMNEYS OF MORRO BAY

One of the most striking features of the Morro Bay setting is the three chimneys of the Dynegy power plant, which played an important role in Morro Bay and in providing electricity to the Central Coast and Central Valley of California. The plant was built in the 1950s and Dynegy hoped to modernize it with a new combined cycle plant. The proposed retrofit that had been planned was rejected and the plant was closed in February 2014. In 2018, a joint venture of German energy company EnBW and Seattle-based Trident Winds announced its plan to get the grid connection from plant to connect a floating wind farm with up to 100 floating wind turbines and a floating substation.

WHEN TO VISIT MORRO BAY

The city of Morro Bay is located close to the Pacific Ocean, which helps to moderate temperatures and create a pleasant mild climate all year round, resulting in warmer winters and cooler summers compared to places further inland. Morro Bay has a mild, hot-summer Mediterranean climate characteristic of the California coast, with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Summers in Morro Bay are cooler with an average in July around 16°C. Winters are mild, with an average of 13°C in January and few rainy days. Mornings are cool and foggy, but the sun usually appears sometime around noon. There are some events that take place in the city throughout the year that can be interesting for those who are planning to visit:

HOW TO REACH MORRO BAY

Morro Bay is located in highway 1, the scenic highway that runs along the coast of California. To get there, it's common rent a car and walk the road, usually from San Francisco The Los Angeles (that's what we recommend!) or from Los Angeles to San Francisco. The city is close to Avila Beach, San Luis Obispo, Pismo Beach and others that are in the Central Coast region, right in the center of the coast of California. Morro Bay is about 325 km from Los Angeles and 375 km from San Francisco.

WHAT TO DO IN MORRO BAY

To facilitate the organization of your visit to Morro Bay, all the suggestions indicated in this post have been placed on the interactive map below. You will find tips for attractions (in orange), places to eat Drink (in red) and other information, such as about accommodation (in black). The map also includes the city of Cayucos, located just north of Morro Bay.

1. SHIPMENT

The waterfront area in the center of Morro Bay is called the Embarcadero. One of the coolest tours to do in the city is to walk along the boardwalk that leads to Morro Rock. Along the way there are inns and hotels, places to eat, places to equipment rental, departure of tour boats in the bay (with the companies Red Anchor Charters, Captain Stew's Bay Cruise, for example), whale watching tours, museums and art galleries, as well as viewpoints for birding and wildlife watching.

TIPS FOR SHOPS AND GALLERIES IN THE REGION IN EMBARCADERO:

2. COASTAL PARKS

>> MORRO BAY STATE PARK

This park has a lagoon and a natural bay habitat that park offers opportunities for sailing, hiking and bird watching. The park's museum has exhibits covering natural features and cultural history, Native American life, geology and oceanography. The park also has a colorful marina and a public golf course. On the northeastern edge of the bay is a pristine saltwater marsh that supports a thriving bird population. Dogs are allowed on the beach, except in places with signs stating otherwise. See the explanatory leaflet (in English) about the park in this link. 

• Address: Morro Bay State Park Road, Morro Bay, CA 93442, United States
• Schedules: park daily from 6am to 10am, museum and gift shop from 10am to 5pm
• Entrance: US$ 8 per car | US$3 for the museum

>> MORRO STRAND STATE PARK

Just 3 km north of Morro Rock, this beach is an oceanfront park with excellent picnic spots. A stretch of about 5 km connects the south and north entrances to the beach. Among some of the most popular activities at Morro Strand State Park are windsurfing, jogging and kite flying (not allowed March through September). On this beach you can find the so-called “Tide Pools”, where exposed rocks offer opportunities to observe tide pools, especially at very low tides. Different types of snail, limpet, sea slug, urchin, anemone and crab can be found clinging to rocks or in puddles and crevices. Dogs are not allowed on this beach, only in the camping area. Check the explanatory leaflet (in English) about the park in this link.

• Address: Morro Strand State Beach, California 93442, United States
• Schedules: not informed
• Entrance: free

>> MONTANA DE ORO STATE PARK

This park features rugged cliffs, secluded sandy beaches, coastal plains, streams, gorges and hills, including Valencia Peak at 410 meters above sea level. There are hiking trails, mountain biking and equestrian trails. The best known beach is Spooner's Cove, opposite the campground. The park's name, “Golden Mountain”, comes from the golden wildflowers that bloom in spring.puppies are not allowed on the trails, but can access the campground, roads, and Spooner's Cove Beach. For more information about the park, check out the official pamphlet. in this link.

• Address: 3550 Pecho Valley Rd, Los Osos, CA 93402, United States
• Schedules: daily from 6 am to 10 pm
• Entrance: US$5 per vehicle

3. MAIN BEACHES

>> NORTH REGION OF MORRO BAY

• NORTH POINT NATURAL AREA: North Point Beach is located at the north end of Morro Bay, just off scenic Highway 1. There is a stairway leading to the beach from the cliff top park. Once on the beach, people can walk north to Pier de Cayucos or south to Morro Bay. The so-called “Tide Pools”, exposed at low tide, are located at the base of the long staircase at the end of Toro Lane. (Address: Toro Lane, Morro Bay, CA 93442)

• MORRO BAY DOG BEACH: Morro Bay is a super city dog friendly and just an 8-minute drive from the center of Morro Bay, this beach is located between Morro Bay and Cayucos also known as Toro Creek. It is the ideal beach to let dogs play freely without a guide. Our dog Luna had a lot of fun and ran until she was tired! Access the beach from the parking lot along Highway 1. (Address: Cabrillo Hwy. & Toror Creek Rd., Morro Bay, CA 93442 | Hours: 5:00 am to 8:00 pm daily)

>> CENTRAL REGION OF MORRO BAY

• COLEMAN PARK & BEACH: Located on the bay in a quiet spot for kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding. This park is located along the Harbor Walk and bike path and is a great spot for birding and marine life. Visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of the bay and Morro Rock while having a picnic. There are public restrooms, basketball court, swing for children. (Address: 101 Coleman Drive, Morro Bay, CA 93442)

• ROCK BEACH MORRO: This beach is where fun and sport meet, as it is perfect for playing, relaxing or surfing. Connected to Morro Strand State Park and North Point Beach Natural Area, it's possible to walk nearly 10 km on the sand. The site has ample parking, public restrooms and showers, making it the perfect place to take your beach chairs, umbrellas and beach toys for a full day of fun on the sand. It's also a great place to watch the sunset. (Address: 200 Coleman Drive, Morro Bay, CA 93442)

• MORRO ROCK JETTY BEACH: This small beach is hidden in the southern part of Morro Rock, opposite Morro Rock Beach. It's perfect for a day when you want to play in the sand, have a picnic and explore the rocky pier. But be careful because close to the beach, the waves crash hard on the rocks, sometimes splashing water into the air. (Address: Coleman Drive, Morro Bay, CA 93442)

>> SOUTH REGION OF MORRO BAY

• SANDSPIT BEACH: This beach is full of miles of sand dunes, lots of wildlife is located in the Montana de Oro State Park. There are restrooms and picnic tables in the parking lot. To get to the beach closest to the parking lot, you have to do just a short walk on a wide trail, but it's a long walk north on the beach if you want to get to the sand. Seize the day and go paddleboard, kayak, canoe or boat with a picnic. There are no services on this beautiful 6.5km beach, so you will need to bring food or drink. Also, the plover's nesting season is from March to September, so avoid fenced-in areas and enjoy the wildlife from afar. Dogs are not allowed on this beach. (Address: Pecho Valley Rd, Los Osos, CA 93402)

4. MUSEUMS

• MORRO BAY MARITIME MUSEUM: Morro Bay has a rich history of military and commercial maritime fisheries, and as such, the mission of the Morro Bay Maritime Museum is to provide an easily accessible educational site for California's maritime history, including science and technology. (Address: 1210 Embarcadero, Morro Bay, CA 93442 | Hours: Wednesday to Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm, Sunday from 10 am to 2 pm, closed on Mondays and Tuesdays | Admission: free)

• MORRO BAY ESTUARY NATURE CENTER: The Estuary Nature Center allows visitors to experience the beauty of the estuary and learn how to protect its sensitive habitats and wildlife. At the Nature Center, you can see trout and eel aquariums and learn about the threats they face. There are also 3-D images of the estuary, to learn about the watershed that supplies it with fresh water. (Address: 601 Embarcadero #11, Morro Bay, CA 93442 | Opening hours: daily from 10 am to 6 pm | Admission: free)
• MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY: This museum is located in the heart of Morro Bay State Park, with panoramic views of the bay, sand dunes and Morro Rock. In it it is possible explore, discover and learn about the area's natural habitats and the impacts of natural and human forces through hands-on exhibits, activities and events. (Address: 20 State Park Rd, Morro Bay, CA 93442 | Hours: Daily 10am to 5pm | Admission: US$3 | Free for children under 16)

5. CAYUCOS

North of the city of Morro Bay is Cayucos, a resort town of about 3,000 that provides relaxation away from California's large urban centers. Cayucos State Beach It is right on the seafront in the city of Cayucos. There is the Pier Cayucos, an old wooden fishing pier that juts out from the beach. The pier offers great views of the city, beach, hills and even Morro Rock to the south. North of the pier is Cayucos Creek, which sometimes flows through the sand. Downtown Cayucos has a few antique stores and historic old west buildings along Ocean Avenue one block from the beach. Check out some options available in the city of Cayucos to accommodation, purchases, restaurants and activities. 

OTHER ACTIVITIES IN MORRO BAY & SURROUNDINGS

A good tip for anyone visiting Morro Bay is to visit the surrounding wineries, located in several cities in the region, including the neighboring city. step Robles (which we love) has excellent winery options. If you prefer, you can take the opportunity to get to know some wineries through tours departing from the center of Morro Bay. So, you won't have to worry about driving and you can enjoy the ride much more.

• E-bike rental in Morro Bay
• Private guided E-bike tour of Morro Bay
• Private surfing lesson in Morro Bay
• Hop-On Hop-Off Wine Tasting Tour from Morro and Cayucos
• Paso Robles Wine Adventure with Pickup from Morro Bay, CA

WHERE TO EAT IN MORRO BAY

For when hunger (or thirst) hits, we've separated some suggestions for restaurants, cafes, bars in Morro Bay. Check out some options below.

WHERE TO STAY IN MORRO BAY

For those planning to stay in Morro Bay, offers a wide range of accommodation to suit all budgets. We have separated some options that are highly rated by guests and separated by stars, to help you choose your accommodation options in the city.

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