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 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 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 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
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 Bay
Boats Moored in Morro Bay
Other California coast pages
There are lots of free things to do on the Pacific Coast Highway and here's our list of ten of them including wildlife, the best free views, and free museums.
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.
Historic and romantic Vagabond's House Inn Bed and Breakfast in Carmel is a great place to stay with free wine and cheese and generous breakfast.
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 Coast Highway Travel's list of the best beaches in California with beaches in Santa Monica, Big Sur, Malibu, Carmel, Cambria, La Jolla and Coronado.
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.
Pismo Beach is a small beach town on California's Central Coast, a resort famous for surfing and clams.
Pacific Coast Highway Travel recommends some of the top wildlife spots along the California coast.
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.
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.
Oceanside is a typical southern California beach town with a surf culture and with the Pacific Coast Highway running right through it.
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.
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.
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.
Newport Beach is a small city on the Pacific coast of southern California, right on the Pacific Coast Highway and noted for its beaches and surfing.
The Pelican Inn and Suites in Cambria on California's Central Coast has oceanfront views, swimming pool, gardens, and is right on the beach near Hearst Castle.
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.
There are plenty of Santa Cruz downtown wine tastings including Beauregard Vineyards,Storrs Winery and Pelican Ranch Winery,all with tasting rooms.
Of all Eureka inns, The Carter House Inns are the most romantic and historic, with one of the best restaurants in Northern California.
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.
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.
A walk around the Point Lobos State Reserve near Monterey and Carmel provides lots of photo opportunities, especially of the Harbor Seal Birthing Area.
Unique Inns on the Pacific Coast Highway include some of the best independently-owned boutique hotels, spas, and lodges in California, Oregon and Washington.
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.
Crescent City is on the Pacific Coast Highway in northern California and noted for its crescent-shaped beach, Ocean World sea park, and nearby redwoods and state parks.
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