Morro Bay

Morro Bay is a delightful small town on the California coast roughly halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles and noted for the huge Morro Rock.

Morro Rock and Morro BayMorro Rock and Morro Bay

All Photos (c) Donna Dailey

Morro Bay is one of our favorite stops along the Pacific Coast Highway, and we always try to pull in there even if we're not staying overnight. We love wandering around the shops and galleries near the seafront, and then driving out to Morro Rock, watching for sea otters and other wildlife along the way.

A Ground Squirrel at Morro BayA Ground Squirrel at Morro Bay

As well as cheeky sparrows and ground squirrels, which are used to being fed by the many visitors, Morro Rock is home to a colony of peregrine falcons, so watch out for those too. It's why access to the rock is not allowed unless you have a special permit.

Morro Rock in Morro BayMorro Rock in Morro Bay

Morro Rock

The rock is 576 feet (176 meters) high and has been a Historic Landmark since 1968. It was mentioned by the Spanish explorer Juan Cabrillo when he came through here in 1542, but it has been around a lot longer than that. It owes its existence to a volcanic action that creates what's called a volcanic plug, and there are more of these inland from here.

Our Pick of the California Guides

Rough-Guide-California-2023.png

Morro Rock stands out because of its location, and at one time it was completely surrounded by water until the harbor was created.

Kayaks for Rent in Morro BayKayaks for Rent in Morro Bay

Morro Bay State Park

At the south side of the bay is the Morro Bay State Park, which is home to numerous other birds, from dainty waders looking for food to large herons and egrets.

Next to the Inn at Morro Bay, where we had a great stay, is a vast heron rookery. Look up in the trees and you might see the great blue heron, black-crowned night heron, the great egret, and the double-crested cormorant. Just remember not to park underneath the trees!

Birds Nesting near the Inn at Morro BayBirds Nesting near the Inn at Morro Bay

A little further on is the Museum of Natural History, a terrific museum. Although it's fairly small we spent ages inside, looking at the very informative exhibits on local wildlife. They have large models showing the different local habitats, and there are beautiful views too, looking out over the bay and across to Morro Rock.

The Museum of Natural History in Morro BayThe Museum of Natural History in Morro Bay

Close by you can rent kayaks if you want to get out onto the water, though keep your eyes open as this is a commercial fishing harbor. You'll be advised to stay within the harbor itself as the waters can be very choppy and the winds fierce around the harbor mouth.

Sea Otters in Morro BaySea Otters in Morro Bay

Sea Otters

Watch out for sea otters who like to lie on their backs in the water and eat. Their behaviour is fascinating. They dive down into the water looking for clams and other shellfish as well as sea urchins and sometimes fish. They tuck these into a pouch under their arm.

The pouch also contains the otter's favorite rock. When they return to the surface they lie on their back, put the rock on their front, and smash open the shellfish on it. You can also see gulls hanging about close to the otter, hoping to grab the food if the otter isn't paying attention.

Photographer Photographing Sea Otters in Morro BayPhotographer Photographing Sea Otters in Morro Bay

You might also see the otters wrapping themselves in sea kelp. At first we thought this must be to keep themselves warm but we later learned that they are using the kelp as an anchor so they don't drift out to sea if they want to lie in the water and rest or eat. Smart animals!

Whale Mural in Morro BayWhale Mural in Morro Bay

What Else to Do in Morro Bay

Other than what we've described, there's not a lot to do in Morro Bay and this is one of its charms. It's a bit of an old-fashioned place in a lovely location with a slow pace of life where people have time to stop and talk.

There is a Maritime Museum, an aquarium, The Morro Bay National Estuary Program Center, a Mural Mile, and the unusual Morro Bay Skateboard Museum. If skateboards are your thing, there are over 200 of them on display here.

Surfer in Morro BaySurfer in Morro Bay

Getting to Morro Bay

Morro Bay is just over 200 miles from Los Angeles if you drive Highway 101, and you should allow four hours of driving time. Convenient places to stop on the way include Santa Barbara and Pismo Beach.

Morro Strand State Beach in Morro BayMorro Strand State Beach in Morro Bay

From San Francisco it's about 240 miles if you take Highway 101, and with normal traffic you should do it in four hours or a little less. To be safe, allow five hours if the traffic is bad.

If you want to take Highway 1 along the coast, it's a similar distance but much slower driving - anything from four to seven hours, depending on the traffic. If you have the time and want to make a trip of it, good stopping points include Santa Cruz, Monterey, Carmel, and Big Sur. 

Kite Surfing on Morro Strand State BeachKite Surfing on Morro Strand State Beach

Where to Stay in Morro Bay

We can recommend The Inn at Morro Bay, which has a great location at the entrance to the Morro Bay State Park. 

Gallery in Morro BayGallery in Morro Bay

More Information
Visit the official Morro Bay website.

Boats Moored in Morro BayBoats Moored in Morro Bay

Other California coast pages

  • La Jolla in southern California is north of San Diego off the Pacific Coast Highway and has museums, restaurants, hotels, beaches, and the Birch Aquarium.

    La Jolla, in southern California

    La Jolla in southern California is north of San Diego off the Pacific Coast Highway and has museums, restaurants, hotels, beaches, and the Birch Aquarium.

  • Carlsbad is a beach city north of San Diego in southern California famous for its flower fields, LEGOLAND resort and water park, surfing and SEA LIFE Aquarium.

    Carlsbad

    Carlsbad is a beach city north of San Diego in southern California famous for its flower fields, LEGOLAND resort and water park, surfing and SEA LIFE Aquarium.

  • Pacific Grove is a small city on the California coast, next to Monterey and close to Carmel, with attractions including its historic Victorian houses.

    Pacific Grove

    Pacific Grove is a small city on the California coast, next to Monterey and close to Carmel, with attractions including its historic Victorian houses.

  • Oceanside is a typical southern California beach town with a surf culture and with the Pacific Coast Highway running right through it.

    Oceanside

    Oceanside is a typical southern California beach town with a surf culture and with the Pacific Coast Highway running right through it.

  • San Simeon is a tiny town of a few hundred people close to Hearst Castle on the California coast midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles.

    San Simeon

    San Simeon is a tiny town of a few hundred people close to Hearst Castle on the California coast midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles.

  • San Clemente in California is a small city on the Pacific Coast Highway midway between San Diego and Los Angeles, noted for its beaches and surfing.

    San Clemente California

    San Clemente in California is a small city on the Pacific Coast Highway midway between San Diego and Los Angeles, noted for its beaches and surfing.

  • This Visiting Hearst Castle page gives all the practicalities including location, types of tour, length of tours, how long to allow, and much more information.

    Visiting Hearst Castle

    This Visiting Hearst Castle page gives all the practicalities including location, types of tour, length of tours, how long to allow, and much more information.

  • The Point Reyes National Seashore is an hour’s drive northwest of San Francisco on the Pacific Coast Highway and is maintained by the National Park Service.

    Point Reyes National Seashore

    The Point Reyes National Seashore is an hour’s drive northwest of San Francisco on the Pacific Coast Highway and is maintained by the National Park Service.

  • The Casa Laguna Hotel and Spa in Laguna Beach is right on the Pacific Coast Highway and has luxury rooms, a swimming pool, and real gourmet breakfasts.

    Laguna Beach Inn and Spa

    The Casa Laguna Hotel and Spa in Laguna Beach is right on the Pacific Coast Highway and has luxury rooms, a swimming pool, and real gourmet breakfasts.

  • The Stanford Inn by the Sea in Mendocino on the California coast is an eco-resort with yoga classes and the award-winning Ravens Restaurant.

    Stanford Inn by the Sea Mendocino

    The Stanford Inn by the Sea in Mendocino on the California coast is an eco-resort with yoga classes and the award-winning Ravens Restaurant.

  • Drive the Pacific Coast Highway and you have to cross Bixby Bridge in California, ten miles north of Big Sur and 30 minutes south of Monterey.

    Bixby Bridge

    Drive the Pacific Coast Highway and you have to cross Bixby Bridge in California, ten miles north of Big Sur and 30 minutes south of Monterey.

  • For a Moss Beach hotel just off the Pacific Coast Highway, the Seal Cove Inn offers good accommodation north of Half Moon Bay, minutes from the ocean.

    Moss Beach Hotel

    For a Moss Beach hotel just off the Pacific Coast Highway, the Seal Cove Inn offers good accommodation north of Half Moon Bay, minutes from the ocean.

  • Pacific Coast Highway Travel recommends some of the top wildlife spots along the California coast.

    Top Wildlife Spots on the California Coast

    Pacific Coast Highway Travel recommends some of the top wildlife spots along the California coast.

  • Santa Monica Pier is just off the Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Monica near Los Angeles, with an amusement park, an aquarium and many other attractions.

    Santa Monica Pier

    Santa Monica Pier is just off the Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Monica near Los Angeles, with an amusement park, an aquarium and many other attractions.

  • Bodega Bay is a small California coastal town on the borders of Marin County and Sonoma County, and the filming location for Alfred Hitchcock's the Birds.

    Bodega Bay

    Bodega Bay is a small California coastal town on the borders of Marin County and Sonoma County, and the filming location for Alfred Hitchcock's the Birds.

  • Whale watching in California is one of the most popular things to do along the Pacific Coast Highway, in places like San Diego, San Francisco and many more.

    Whale Watching in California

    Whale watching in California is one of the most popular things to do along the Pacific Coast Highway, in places like San Diego, San Francisco and many more.

  • Pismo Beach is a small beach town on California's Central Coast, a resort famous for surfing and clams.

    Pismo Beach

    Pismo Beach is a small beach town on California's Central Coast, a resort famous for surfing and clams.

  • Monterey in California is off the Pacific Coast Highway and home to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Monterey State Historic Park.

    Monterey, on the Pacific Coast Highway in California

    Monterey in California is off the Pacific Coast Highway and home to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Monterey State Historic Park.

  • One of the best California coast guides is the California Coastal Access Guide, describing the coast’s beaches, National Parks, State Parks, with many maps.

    California Coast Guide

    One of the best California coast guides is the California Coastal Access Guide, describing the coast’s beaches, National Parks, State Parks, with many maps.

  • Mendocino in Mendocino County is a small but pretty California coastal town, popular with artists and with travelers. It has featured in many songs and movies.

    Mendocino

    Mendocino in Mendocino County is a small but pretty California coastal town, popular with artists and with travelers. It has featured in many songs and movies.

  • Unique Inns on the Pacific Coast Highway include some of the best independently-owned boutique hotels, spas, and lodges in California, Oregon and Washington.

    Unique Inns on the Pacific Coast Highway

    Unique Inns on the Pacific Coast Highway include some of the best independently-owned boutique hotels, spas, and lodges in California, Oregon and Washington.

  • Lonely Planet's Coastal California guidebook is the ideal travel guide for driving or cycling the Pacific Coast Highway from the Oregon border to Mexico.

    Coastal California Guidebook

    Lonely Planet's Coastal California guidebook is the ideal travel guide for driving or cycling the Pacific Coast Highway from the Oregon border to Mexico.

  • Encinitas is a beach city in Southern California, famous for surfing, and regularly chosen as one of the best places to live in both California and the USA.

    Encinitas

    Encinitas is a beach city in Southern California, famous for surfing, and regularly chosen as one of the best places to live in both California and the USA.

  • Standing on the Pacific Coast Highway in California, Santa Barbara is an attractive resort with a historic downtown, sandy beaches, a mission, and good museums.

    Santa Barbara

    Standing on the Pacific Coast Highway in California, Santa Barbara is an attractive resort with a historic downtown, sandy beaches, a mission, and good museums.

  • Santa Monica in California is famous for its pier, and beaches, and is one of the best west coast vacation spots, with hotels, restaurants, surfing, museums.

    Santa Monica, California

    Santa Monica in California is famous for its pier, and beaches, and is one of the best west coast vacation spots, with hotels, restaurants, surfing, museums.

Recent Articles

RSS

  1. Lane Closures Continue on Pacific Coast Highway for Recovery, Utility Work

    Jul 30, 25 03:44 AM

    Caltrans is urging drivers to slow down and use caution in the active work zones

    Read More

  2. Walking the secret staircases of Los Angeles

    Jul 26, 25 04:18 AM

    Please use the sharing tools found via the share button at the top or side of articles. Copying articles to share with others is a breach of FT.com T&Cs and Copyright Policy. Email licensing@ft.com to…

    Read More

  3. Single-Lane Closures Continue on Pacific Coast Highway for Recovery Work

    Jul 26, 25 04:18 AM

    Single-lane closures remain in effect on Pacific Coast Highway between Topanga Canyon Boulevard and Las Flores Canyon Road through late September as recovery work continues following the Palisades Fir…

    Read More