[…]Bay For generations, Morro Bay has delighted visitors with iconic views of Morro Rock, the inner remnant of a long-extinct volcano. Portuguese explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo named the rock “El Morro” after its crown shape and dominance over the surrounding landscape. Today, Morro Rock represents the town of Morro Bay […]
[…]between February and May, be prepared for a blow out. To reach A-Beach, take Highway 1 north of Morro Bay to the intersection of Yerba Buena Street. Turn west to the end of the road; park anywhere along the shoreline or on residential streets. Setting out for a day on […]
[…]Park. Or ride to Cambria and stop over at the Elfin Forest for bird watching along the edge of the Morro Bay National Estuary. These opportunities can open your mind — and your heart — to the hidden treasures of the Central Coast. To learn more, see Stewardship Travel for […]
[…]cookies, this cozy surf community provides a welcome roadside hangout. Morro Bay Kayak the Morro Bay Estuary Coastal fun unfolds near the electric vehicle charging station at 495 Morro Bay Boulevard in Morro Bay. Find Morro Bay Paddlesports a half mile from the electric vehicle charging station, allowing travelers to […]
[…]in the morning, before the coastal fog lifts, Neal Maloney, owner of Morro Bay Oyster Company, takes his motorboat out to Morro Bay, an expansive lagoon and saltwater marsh just outside Downtown San Luis Obispo. A tiny platform serves as the hub of the company’s Pacific Gold oyster-farming operation. Each oyster […]
[…]itty-bitty beauties, adults often stand a full head taller than the trees! Skirting the Morro Bay Estuary, this enchanting area offers plenty of moments for seeing wildlife, native plants, and ocean views. View The Elfin Forest History of the Elfin Forest At 90 acres, the El Moro Elfin Forest Natural […]
[…]oaks, pines, and coastal shrubs. From the mountain’s 640-foot summit, you can view the Morro Bay Estuary, the sand spit, and the hills of nearby Montaña de Oro. Hikers looking for more can hike to the summit starting farther down Black Hill. To find the trailhead, drive through the Morro […]
[…]in Morro Bay Museum of Natural History The Morro Bay Museum of Natural History is a fun, educational and interactive museum designed visitors of all ages. Learn about the natural habitats of the area, partake in hands-on activities, and marvel at panoramic views of the estuary, bay, sand dunes and […]
[…]reason for Sandspit’s emptiness is its seclusion, making it an intimate way to experience the Morro Bay National Estuary—a haven for resident and migratory birds. The beach can be reached by a 1/4-mile hike via Pecho Valley Road to Sandspit Road in Montaña de Oro State Park. For a day-long […]
[…]throughout the year. Don’t miss this site’s plentiful seabird population, either! Bonus spots Morro Bay offers an excellent viewpoint for seeing gray whales, humpback whales, minke whales and Risso’s Dolphins. To reach one of the best spots, turn west onto Terba Buena from Highway 1. Make a right on Toro […]
[…]reputation. In a few cases, dining in Los Osos – Baywood includes a view of the back bay and the Morro Bay National Estuary. Others are pet-friendly restaurants where Fido can enjoy a meal out, as well. Thanks to fine, mild weather year-round, outdoor dining in Los Osos is a […]
[…]cooperation and conservation in action. More to explore: Take a load off! Kayak through the Morro Bay Estuary for a unique, up-close look at one of the Central Coast’s most diverse wildlife habitats. Nearby, discover Los Osos/Baywood, a welcoming coastal community known for stunning Montaña de Oro State Park. Amid […]
[…]clear day makes this sight absolutely magical. Witness the wide expanse of ocean from Los Osos to Morro Bay and Morro Rock, and out into the Santa Lucia Mountains. But remember that, while the views are the prize, the journey is its own reward, too. Keep an eye out for […]
[…]Los Osos and Baywood The Morro Bay National Estuary is a California State Marine Reserve framing the landscape in Los Osos which prohibits fishing. These state conservation areas protect and restore wildlife and habitats in the ocean per the California Marine Life Protection Act. The idea here is to protect […]
[…]Creek. Sea Otter Videos in Morro Bay Estuary Sea Otter Educational Video #SeaOtter Other wildlife viewing along Highway 1Sea otters are just the beginning of the wildlife on display along the SLO CAL length of Highway 1. Try your luck at sighting a few other species on your visit; you’re […]
[…]to the ocean, as well as restrooms, picnic facilities and parking. The peaceful area of the Morro Bay Estuary that fronts Los Osos-Baywood Park offers ideal kayaking conditions. Home to 250 species of birds and a favorite destination for avid birders, the back bay offers quiet waters and a new […]
[…]scenic hiking trails and stellar views of Morro Rock. Nearby, a docent led hike through Morro Bay’s Elfin Forest reveals a curious world of ancient pygmy oaks. Plus, an accessible, flat boardwalk makes the excursion easy for all to enjoy. Visit the Spooner Ranch House Museum at Montana de Oro […]
[…]south side near Toro Creek Road, adjacent to Morro Bay. (In fact, locals often call this the Morro Bay Dog Beach for its proximity to Cayucos’s neighbor to the south.It’s also sometimes called Toro Creek Beach.) Here, fun is the name of the game. The beach is wide, the sand […]
[…]to Morro Bay State ParkFrom charming downtown Cayucos to the scenic Morro Bay State Park, this easy ride is packed with pull-over opportunities. This is a one-way itinerary (or double-back for a round-trip ride), 8.5 miles long, with an elevation gain of just 283 feet. It passes Cloisters Community Park […]
[…]array of artforms, from paintings and photographs to jewelry, sculpture and more. Located on the Morro Bay Embarcadero, the Gallery at Marina Square is expansive and diverse, featuring creative opportunities to take home a piece of Highway 1. Works of art, silk scarves, holiday ornaments, prints, greeting cards, blown glass […]
[…]south on Highway 1 for 62 miles, a section of mellow roadway that hugs the coast. Then turn into Morro Bay for a quick jaunt along the coast, following Quintana Road past Lila Keiser Park. Head back through downtown Morro Bay, making a quick pass through Morro Bay State Park […]
[…]Take your time on the 62-par course, located in Los Osos, with views of Morro Rock, the Morro Bay Estuary, and coastal dunes. This course was built in 1954 to capitalize on its position on the edge of the vast Pacific Ocean. Here, find practice spaces like a driving range, […]
[…]area has plenty to keep you busy. The main drag, 2nd Street, faces out over an inlet of the Morro Bay National Estuary, with a small pier and access to a tiny beach. This is the perfect place to bring a cup of coffee from the nearby Back Bay Cafe […]
[…]just beyond, with a sign explaining that the grove once shaded a homesite older than Spooner Ranch.Morro Bay Sandspit TrailFor a long, minimally trafficked shoreline walk, try the Morro Bay Sand Spit Trail. At 10.2 miles total, this out-and-back trail gains just 465 in elevation, but provides an endurance challenge […]
[…]Los Osos’s shopping spread along Los Osos Valley Road and South Bay Boulevard back toward Morro Bay. (Find the entrances to Los Osos where the “Greeting Bears” stand, two concrete statues by artist Paul Zima installed beside bridges into town.) Los Osos features fantastic retailers like nurseries, bookstores, distilleries, gift […]
[…]long state beach with a view of Morro Rock actually comprises two strips of coastline. The northern end of Morro Strand State Beach lies between 24th Street and Chaney Avenue; the southern section spans Yerba Buena Street to Atascadero Road. In 1916, a land developer named Edward Lewis purchased this […]
[…]from CayucosFrom Cayucos, the nearest cycling destinations are Cambria to the north and Morro Bay to the south. The ride from Cayucos to Morro Bay is just 6 miles long, but the beach and ocean vistas seem to go on forever. Highway 1 hugs the shoreline along the Estero Bay, […]
[…]the ocean view from your car, or step out and take a stroll north to Cayucos Pier or south to Morro Rock. The best places to stop are in the parking lots for Morro Strand State Beach Day Use Area or Sand Dollars Beach.Want to hang a bit longer in […]
[…]and reach Cambria.) Cover 100 miles and gain 4,709 feet in elevation passing through Los Osos, Morro Bay and Cayucos along iconic Highway 1.Begin at Leffingwell Landing in Cambria. Ride south along Moonstone Beach Drive and connect with Highway 1, again traveling south. The first 16 miles will have you […]
[…]in Cayucos leads to this jaw-dropping vantage point (on a clear day, you’ll see all the way to Morro Bay).Plan for a beautiful oceanfront setting where wedding guests can gather directly on the sand. Breathtaking views along the Estero Bluffs Los Osos Wedding Venues Sea Pines Golf Resort Situated between […]
[…]can be dangerous if boaters and other people need to get past them. With that in mind, the City of Morro Bay set aside a floating dock in the forebay just for sea lions. In so doing, they’ve helped keep both the sea lions and people safe. To see these […]
[…]Rock, Morro Bay Standing at 576 feet tall, Morro Rock, also referred to as the “Gibraltar of the Pacific,” is the focal point of a small coastal town called Morro Bay. The rock which is now recognized as a California Historic Landmark is part of the Nine Sisters which are […]
[…]arrive in December to participate in the worldwide annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count. Enjoy Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival in January and Avila Beach Bird Sanctuary Day in February.Gray Whales: March, April and MayFemales and their young calves travel close to shore on their northward migration from Mexico to Alaska. […]
[…]estimated that 20,000 to 30,000 Chumash people lived across California’s Central Coast between Morro Bay and Malibu. In 1542, Spanish explorers noted how open and welcoming the Chumash people were when they greeted them from their canoes. The Mission Period began when Don Gaspar de Portola came to claim this […]
[…]Safe HarborBeautiful Los Osos – Baywood Park enjoys a protected position on an inlet of the Morro Bay National Estuary, where the waters are calm and quiet. Baywood Park PierThis peaceful little pier stands watch over the bay beside Baywood’s 2nd Street. The pier was built in 1955, and has […]
[…]trips ranging from two hours to all day. The morning I went out with a kayak guide on the bay, the fog was so thick that it obscured the area’s natural landmark, the 576 foot tall Morro Rock known as the Gibraltar of the Pacific, and all colors were blanketed […]
[…]riding trails, too. All routes take in views of the ocean, from Point Buchon across Morro Bay, Morro Rock and Cayucos. The rocky shoreline makes for fun diversions from the path, with secret beaches and tide pools to explore. Montana de Oro also claims some of Highway 1’s tallest summits, […]
[…]a natural area within Sea Pines Golf Resort offer Monarch viewing in Los Osos, as well as on the Morro Bay Golf Course nearby. Hearst San Simeon State Park and the San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden also host thousands of Monarchs each winter, making our stretch of Highway 1 the […]
[…]visitors will appreciate El Moro Elfin Forest’s boardwalk trails, boasting views of the Morro Bay Estuary and local wildlife.While in Baywood-Los Osos, base an adventure from the Baywood Inn. After a long day of exploring, Noi & Doi’s 2nd Street Cafe is an easy walk from the inn for delicious Thai-inspired food. Or grab […]
[…]well as some of the best surf around. Literally anywhere you get in the water between Los Osos and Morro Bay along the sandspit will offer good waves, if timed right. Added benefits include a fantastic view of Morro Rock to the north, and a wide-open beach that’s practically empty. […]
[…]and salads. #6 Kayak Morro BayIn Morro Bay, an ancient volcanic plug rises 576 feet from the placid blue waters to remind us that we are but a tiny part of the natural world. The best place to view the geographical formation, called Morro Rock, is via kayak. You’ll want […]
[…]feet tall. A one-mile boardwalk winds among the trees, and is ADA-accessible. Vast views of the Morro Bay National Estuary highlight the significance of this local treasure. Some of the Central Coast’s best birding opportunities are here at the “Siena’s View” landing, which faces the estuary and the Morro Bay […]
[…]a spectacular backdrop your next SLO CAL adventure. El Moro Elfin Forest, adjacent to the Morro Bay Estuary, showcases not just oak woodland, but also coastal brackish marsh, riparian woodland fringe, maritime chaparral and coastal dune scrub. Fun fact: The Elfin Forest supports more than 200 species of plants, as […]
[…]we get you outfitted and exploring the 15 miles of protected waters in the beautiful Morro Bay Estuary/Bird Sanctuary. Morro Bay is comprised of 2300 acres of mud flats, eelgrass beds, tidal wetlands and open water. Two dozen threatened or endangered species live in the area, including the Peregrine Falcon, […]
[…]ripples disturbed only by the occasional dolphin friend. You can also get your “SUP” on in Morro Bay, where peaceful mornings in the estuary allow for a relaxed ride and views of sand spits and seabirds. Feeling ambitious? Embark on an eight-mile round trip from Morro Bay to Baywood Park, where you […]
[…]of coastline. Test your skills while enjoying panoramic vistas of iconic Morro Rock, Morro Bay Estuary and coastal dunes. For players looking to refine their swing, Sea Pines Golf Resort offers a comprehensive list of amenities including a well-equipped driving range, meticulously maintained putting green, dedicated chipping area and professional […]
[…]has to offer. Should you have questions or need help or gear, head to Virg’s Tackle Shop in Morro Bay. There, they offer just about anything you could need for saltwater fishing tackle, plus supplies like sunscreen, snacks and sunglasses. Best of all, the folks at Virg’s can offer up-to-the-minute […]
[…]let you in on a little local secret: Follow iconic Highway 1 to The Southern End of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and don’t forget to pack your sense of adventure. You’ll soon be exploring untouched beaches, vibrant tide pools and lush kept forests teeming with rarely seen sea-life, including dolphins, otters, Elephant Seals and whales, just beyond. Stretching […]
[…]more visible. Find more marine life at a beached boat in Point Estero.Morro Bay National Estuary, Morro BayYou may have seen huge Morro Rock (it’s hard to miss!) but check out the secluded estuary and wetland inhabited by hundreds of animals and plants. Hike coastal trails or rent a kayak (from A […]
[…]& Pickleball For fans of tennis and pickleball, San Luis Bay Inn Courts is a fantastic playground by the sea. Located directly adjacent to the Avila Beach Golf Course, San Luis Bay Inn features three tennis courts, two pickleball courts and one basketball half-court. Enjoy these great facilities while taking […]
