Morro Bay, CA Road Trips

1 Morro Bay State Park Museum of Natural History, Morro Bay State Park Rd, ☏ +1 805 772-2694. Daily 10AM-5PM; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. The only natural history museum in the State Park system, this museum focuses on the unique environment of Morro Bay and its estuary. Adults $3; 16 and under free. Temporarily closed due to COVID 19. 2 Morro Rock. The great sight is the surf at the base of Morro Rock (called "The Rock" locally) which is the lava plug remnant of an ancient volcano. A bayside walk connects the Embarcadero waterfront to the ocean and harbor entry. The jetty that guards the bay mouth is a popular but dangerous surf vantage point, and one must take care with rogue waves which have killed visitors here. The Rock is a protected Native American shrine and home to endangered peregrine falcons.

The Embarcadero is the main tourist area and lines the east side of the bay. It is a great walking experience along a working port and eco-tourist destination. A variety of marine life is here, from sea otters to sea lions, and the town is a declared bird sanctuary. Excellent deep sea fishing originates at the north end of the Embarcadero. A public park and boat launch are at the south end. RVs and mobile homes may day-park at either end. There is a giant chess board in the middle of Embarcadero Rd. Popular surfing locations are to the north on easy access beach from free public parking and across the harbor entry to the north end of the sand spit that forms the west edge of the bay. You can rent a kayak and explore the south part of the bay, which is one of the larger estuaries on the west coast. A favorite local tradition is to kayak from Morro Bay State Park or Embarcadero docks to the massive sand spit for a picnic. To the north of town is the Morro Strand State beach which offers additional surfing possibilities and many locals with their dogs in a fairly open uncrowded setting. To the south of the town is Morro Bay State Park which includes an impressive public golf course set in pines on challenging hillsides with amazing views to the ocean and bay. A renovated public campground is available. 1 Art in the Park (Morro Bay Park at the intersection of Harbor Dr and Morro Bay Blvd). Morro Bay Art in the Park is sponsored by the Morro Bay Art Association and is one of the oldest fine art and fine craft shows in the state of California; it's been running since 1955.

1 Dorn's Original Breaker's Cafe, 801 Market Ave (right above the Embarcadero). Has great views, and is both a popular and reliable choice, especially for older patrons. 2 Hofbrau Restaurant, 901 Embarcadero, ☏ +1 805 772-2411. Delicious French dip sandwiches are hand-carved in front of you. This restaurant serves up German fare as well as the popular waterfront fish and chips and clam chowder options. 3 Taco de Mexico, 980 Main St. For an amazing carne asada burrito and authentic experience, head to Taco de Mexico for lunch. Referred to by locals simply as "Tacos De," this popular spot is easy, fast, and inexpensive, though lines can be out the door around noon. 4 Lolo's, 2848 Main St, ☏ +1 805 772-5686. If you are looking for an escape from the often tourist-filled Embarcadero dining scene, follow Main Street to North Morro Bay. There you will find a great, family-friendly Mexican eatery with the best chips and salsa around (their salsa is bottled and sold in local grocery stores as well as in the restaurant). Bayside Cafe, 10 State Park Rd, ☏ +1 805-772-1465. For additional waterfront dining, check out the Bayside Cafe, located at the local Marina. Offering outside and inside seating and a view of kayakers, this restaurant is great for small family gatherings or long conversations with friends. Try the catch of the day sandwich, which is almost always salmon cooked to perfection. Dutchman's, 701 Embarcadero STE E, ☏ +1 805 772-2269. Waterfront seafood staple known for clam chowder, fish 'n' chips & sanddabs (a flatfish).

Libertine Pub: Live music and nice place.

Hotel Avisa, 590 Morro Ave, ☏ +1 805-398-0302. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Hotel features pillow top beds, balconies, fitness room, free hot breakfast, free wireless Internet, business center. $79. (updated Feb 2017) Bay View Inn, 225 Harbor St, ☏ +1 805-772-2772. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. Rooms with ocean views, king beds, queen beds, and two beds. Free wireless high speed Internet, in room coffee makers, fridge, microwave, iron/ironing boards. Booking direct with hotel and save. rates starting at $59. (updated Feb 2017) Pacific Shores Inn, 890 Morro Ave, ☏ +1 805-772-4435. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Luxury rooms at affordable rates. Room with ocean views, free wireless Internet, in room fridge & microwave, coffee makers, pillow top beds, king & queen beds available. Free breakfast & fitness room. starting from $49. (updated Feb 2017) Blufftop Inn & Suites, 220 Beach St (Wharf/Restaurant District), ☏ +1 805-772-3333. Check-in: 3:00 PM, check-out: 11:00 AM. Each room at Blufftop Inn & Suites features upscale and modern finishes, including locally-inspired designs and quartz countertops. In addition, our rooms are equipped with a desk area, large air conditioning to regulate the room temperature to your liking, smart 4K flat screen TVs, pillowtop mattresses, beach wood-inspired hard flooring, single-serve K-cup coffee machines with coffee, and, of course, a ceiling fan, iron and ironing boards, hair dryers, microwaves, and refrigerators. As one of the newest hotels in Morro Bay, the hotel strives to provide guests with exceptional value.

Morro Bay is a 15-minute drive from San Luis Obispo, 2½ hours from Fresno or Bakersfield, and 4 hours from Los Angeles or San Francisco. The nearest airport is in San Luis Obispo, with a range of departures to western hubs. Take the SLO Transit bus downtown and then transfer to RTA route 12. San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority offers countywide bus service. Take Route 12 from San Luis Obispo or Los Osos, or Route 15 from Cambria and San Simeon. The nearest train station is in San Luis Obispo, with Amtrak service on the Coast Starlight and Pacific Surfliner. To reach Morro Bay, take the SLO Transit bus downtown and then transfer to RTA Route 12.

Morro Bay can be traveled on foot, especially if staying in the central part of town. Car travel is easy in Morro Bay, though parking may be challenging on weekends and in the summer. Morro Bay Transit, ☏ +1 805 772-2744. Provides a year-round fixed bus route and several trolley lines that run in the summer. (updated Dec 2019)