Overview
Morro Bay (population 10,000) is in San Luis Obispo County in the Central Coast region of California. The town is best known for the massive 581-foot (177-m) volcanic rock at the entrance to the harbour.
2 sights · 1 things to do · 6 places to eat · 13 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Morro Bay
Morro Bay State Park Museum of Natural History
The only natural history museum in the State Park system, this museum focuses on the unique environment of Morro Bay and its estuary.
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. Th…
Art in the Park
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. Proceeds from the art show benefit …
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jan–Dec. Summer highs reach about 72°F; winter lows dip to about 46°F. Wettest: Jan and Feb.
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- SBP San Luis County Regional Airport, San Luis Obispo — 15 mi away. Directions
- SMX Santa Maria Public Airport Captain G Allan Hancock Field, Santa Maria — 40 mi away. Directions
- FAT Fresno Yosemite International Airport, Fresno — 115 mi away (major hub). Directions
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.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $40–$79 a night (typical $59), from 5 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$80, mid-range ~$130, comfortable ~$240.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Morro Bay State Park Museum of Natural History, Art in the Park
- Lunch Dorn's Original Breaker's Cafe
- Afternoon Morro Rock
- Dinner Hofbrau Restaurant
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Climate
Get in
By car
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.
By plane
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.
By bus
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.
By train
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.
Get around
By foot
Morro Bay can be traveled on foot, especially if staying in the central part of town.
By car
Car travel is easy in Morro Bay, though parking may be challenging on weekends and in the summer.
By bus
See
- Temporarily closed due to COVID 19.
See 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.
Do
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.
Do Art in the Park
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. Proceeds from the art show benefit high school art education in San Luis Obispo County. The show is held on Memorial Day weekend, Fourth of July weekend and Labor Day weekend.
Buy
Shops cater to the tourist trade with art, t-shirts and the like.
Eat
Eat Dorn's Original Breaker's Cafe
Has great views, and is both a popular and reliable choice, especially for older patrons.
Eat Hofbrau Restaurant
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.
Eat Taco de Mexico
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.
Eat Lolo's
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).
Eat Bayside Cafe
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).
Eat Pizza Port
Long-running, old-school counter serve with slices, pies & sandwiches, plus beer & arcade games.
Drink
- Libertine Pub: Live music and nice place.
Sleep
Stay Blufftop Inn & Suites
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.
Stay Econo Lodge
Go next
- Cambria - 20 miles north on Highway One, Cambria offers visitors Moonstone Beach, home to tide pools and the semi-precious stones that give the beach its name. The town also offers an abundance of inns and hotels for those seeking a quiet weekend away.
- Los Osos is south of Morro Bay, a little way off Highway 1 and closer than San Luis Obispo.
- San Luis Obispo - 14 miles southeast of Morro Bay and almost exactly half way between Los Angeles and San Francisco, this small college town and its neighboring communities boast extraordinary resources for hiking, mountain biking, sea kayaking, swimming and surfing, outstanding natural beauty, a carefully preserved and thriving 19th-century downtown centered around a meticulously restored 18th century mission, a small but thriving art gallery scene, and a large and growing collection of top-quality wineries.
- Atascadero - 18 miles to the northeast of Morro Bay, this town was founded in 1913 as a planned utopian colony, complete with an Italian Renaissance-style town hall surrounded by an expansive sunken gardens. The town hall and gardens remain today, and have been joined by the tiny Charles Paddock Zoo, home to 45 species including a pair of red pandas, Malayan tiger, and lemurs.
Nearby
Los Osos
City / town · 8 listings · 5 mi away
Atascadero
City / town · 7 listings · 12 mi away
San Luis Obispo
City / town · 51 listings · 13 mi away
Avila Beach
City / town · 13 listings · 15 mi away
Cambria
City / town · 10 listings · 18 mi away
Pismo Beach
City / town · 17 listings · 19 mi away
Paso Robles
City / town · 33 listings · 20 mi away
Grover Beach
City / town · 5 listings · 22 mi away
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