Make Morro Bay Your Next Great Adventure

Written by Breck Hapner

If it’s time for a change of scenery, the seaside town of Morro Bay is ready to greet you. So, pack your bags, and prepare for a quality getaway enjoying countless amenities while basking under the sun on California’s coastline.

Morro Bay is a destination designed to fit any style and budget for families. The town in San Luis Obispo County is a haven of natural beauty, with beaches perfect for strolling and swimming, providing a great view of the 581-foot Morro Rock.

“Morro Bay is a unique California coastal community,” said Morro Bay Executive Director Michael Wambolt. “We offer a variety of different restaurants, activities, lodging options, landscapes, and regional offerings.”

Start your Morro Bay journey on the Embarcadero, chock-full of shops, restaurants, activities and waterfront hotels, culminating at Morro Rock Beach. Radiating outward from the Northern base of Morro Rock, the beach encourages both fun and sport, perfect for relaxing or surfing.

Connected to Morro Strand and North Point Beach, over six miles of uninterrupted coastline beckons, so bring your beach chairs and umbrellas for a fun day in the sand. At sunset, you can watch Morro Rock dazzle with reflected colors while using a city fire pit, listening to the sound of the waves.

From otter sightings and whale watching to guided kayak tours along the Morro Bay National Estuary, you can spend your vacation seaside. The wildlife viewing is excellent, and the sand spit protects the bay from large ocean waves. You can try a sunset paddle in Morro Bay, bicycling tours down the coast, naturalist-led hikes, and walks to Big Sur or local state parks. There is so much “wild” to see, and to experience. Morro Bay prides itself on the conservation and maintenance of its organic resources.

“Morro Bay is a nature lover’s paradise. When visiting, it’s crucial to enjoy the natural assets while also joining in the effort to protect them,” said Wambolt. “This type of sustainable travel helps to keep the wildlife wild, and keep their habitats preserved for all future generations.”

Make sure to visit the Morro Bay Maritime Museum to learn about area maritime history, science, and technology, with interpretive exhibits covering a wide spectrum of affiliated regional events and developments, such as the fishing industries, the boating in bays and inlets, and naval history.

There’s a lot to do, but visitors can indulge according to their interests and desires. “The Morro Bay region offers a slower pace, an abundance of wildlife viewing, and hands-on maritime experiences the entire family can enjoy,” said Wambolt.

Morro Bay boasts a vibrant artistic community, which is inspired by the surrounding natural beauty. Art Center Morro Bay is one of the largest California Central Coast venues for exhibiting original fine art by local artists, and offers classes while promoting special events.

You will also find privately owned galleries and art stores that provide a taste of local culture while enjoying 20 murals that celebrate the city’s artistic community along Main Street, The Embarcadero, and beyond. The Morro Bay Mural Mile offers a self-guided tour of the downtown and waterfront areas, with depictions of Morro Bay’s natural beauty, history, and array of sea life.

Of course, there are plenty of restaurants offering delicious food to sample, including Morro Bay’s unique oyster types, Pacific Gold and Grassy Bar.

You’ll want to try out the Morro Bay Oyster Company to shuck your own Pacific Gold Oysters that populate the Morro Bay waters, fed by streams that flow from volcanic aquifers.

Tognazzini’s Dockside Restaurant specializes in fresh BBQ oysters. As a long supporter of the Morro Bay commercial fishing fleet, a perk includes daily specials featuring locally caught seafood.

If you’re looking for a setting overlooking the Bay and Morro Rock, Dutchman’s Seafood offers burgers, steaks, and salads prepared with seasonal ingredients from area farmers.

Event-wise, Morro Bay recently celebrated the return of the annual Kite Festival for enthusiasts and families. This is a popular yearly free event just north of Morro Rock for all ages.

You won’t want to miss the Morro Bay Avocado Margarita Festival, running from Sept. 9 – Sept. 11, where visitors will be able to learn about indigenous Morro Bay avocados while enjoying homemade guacamole, margaritas, and other dishes to satisfy your avo-appetite.

There is so much to discover. Well, what are you waiting for? How much beachcombing, sea, sun, fun, and food can you stand? Morro Bay has it all, and is a ripe destination for your next great adventure.

“Utilizing Morro Bay as their anchor to explore the region, travelers can go beyond the calm of the coast and experience regional farms, taste exquisite wines, shop locally at farmers markets, learn to surf, discover incredible artwork, and so much more,” said Wambolt.

For additional information, visit https://www.morrobay.org