On the Central Coast of California sits an idyllic waterside town that’s the perfect spot for outdoor adventurers, fine dining lovers, and anyone who enjoys one heck of a view! Morro Bay is frequently called “Three Stacks and a Rock,” nicknamed in honor of the town’s history and beloved landmarks.

The three stacks are in reference to the three smokestacks that loom over the community, built half a century ago for a seaside power plant, which now sit abandoned but stand as a beloved testament to the town’s working-class background. The rock, Morro Rock, is a monument to the other side of Morro Bay – the beautiful nature that surrounds the area.

With so many things to see and do in Morro Bay, you might not know where to begin. So we’ve compiled our list of the absolute best things to do in Morro Bay for you. From sipping wine by the water to watching kites flying overhead, these Morro Bay bucket list recommendations will ensure that you have an incredible time in this sleepy seaside town!

The Top 15 Things to do in Morro Bay

1. Kayak around Morro Bay

One of the best things to do in Morro Bay is to get out on the water. And one of the best ways to do that is by going kayaking. Morro Bay boasts plenty of places to rent a kayak on the Embarcadero, but we love heading a little further south to nearby Morro Bay State Park, where you’ll find A Kayak Shack.

If kayaking isn’t for you, you can also rent a paddleboard or a canoe at A Kayak Shack. But no matter what you rent, you can expect to get out on the water and do some exploring. Be sure to check with A Kayak Shack regarding their rental times, which change with the season.

Paddle your way up toward Morro Rock and take in stunning views while you look out for Morro Bay’s local wildlife. You’ll likely find yourself nearby playful otters, hunting for their next meal or taking a nap among the kelp. Nervous about getting out on the water for your first time? A Kayak Shack partners with Central Coast Outdoors to offer guided tours. 

The Half Day Classic provides you with a morning paddle that includes a hike over the sand dunes. With a Short Paddle tour, you’ll skip the dunes and spend your time solely on the water. 

And if you’d like to watch the beautiful sunset over Morro Rock, pick the Sunset Paddle tour, which includes hors d’oeuvres and beverages served on the sand dunes. If you’re looking to customize your experience, you can also book a private tour.

2. Look for Otters around Morro Rock

Morro Rock is a State Historical Landmark that was formed about 23 million years ago from the plugs of long-extinct volcanoes. Standing nearly 576 feet tall, Morro Rock is the last peak of the Nine Sisters, which extends from San Luis Obispo to Morro Bay. Although the rock was mined on and off until 1963, it’s now a designated bird sanctuary for the peregrine falcon and other bird species. 

After grabbing breakfast on the Embarcadero, you can take a scenic walk over to Morro Rock and explore its sandy dunes to look for wildlife. Or you can take an easy beach hike along the Morro Strand Trail through Morro Strand State Beach, which provides you with an incredible view of the rock. 

In addition to bird species soaring up above, you’ll spot otters swimming along the shore, sea lions resting on docks, and sea stars in the clear waters. Although you cannot climb this rock as it is a protected area, you can still explore the areas around it.

3. Explore Morro Bay State Park

On Morro Bay’s northeast edge is Morro Bay State Park, which features a saltwater marsh, lagoon, and natural bay habitat. It provides plenty of opportunities for sailing and fishing at the marina, biking and hiking on the trails, and birdwatching all around. 

Morro Bay State Park is one of the best things to do in Morro Bay if you love camping, as the park boasts 135 campsites. And if you’re a golf lover, you’ll love teeing off on the waterfront golf course.

Morro Bay State Park covers 2,700 acres and includes several areas with unique features, like the Heron Rookery Natural Preserve, where you can spot double-crested cormorants, great egrets, and great blue herons between February and June. 

You can also head to Morro Estuary Natural Preserve, where fresh water mixes with ocean tides to provide a diverse ecosystem. From late fall to the end of spring, you’ll also find monarch butterflies roosting in some regions of the park.

4. Visit the Museum of Natural History

Located in Morro Bay State Park is the Museum of Natural History, one of the best things to do in Morro Bay if you’re a fan of history. This museum provides panoramic views of the bay and Morro Rock. Boasting fun and interactive exhibits, the Museum of Natural History will teach you about the area’s natural habitats and how humans have impacted them for centuries. 

You’ll learn about cultural history, Native American life in Morro Bay, geology, and oceanography through hands-on activities, rotating exhibits, lectures, and nature walks. Plus, you’ll love that this very natural museum, surrounded by gardens, is perfectly in-line with the beauty of the park it was built in.

5. Stroll along the Embarcadero

The Embarcadero is Morro Bay’s downtown, harbor-side shopping and dining area, providing you with many of the coolest things to do in Morro Bay. Although you’ll see stunning views of the ocean and Morro Rock from the shore, there are tons of water excursions to choose from here, from glass-bottom boat tours to fishing charters. 

The Embarcadero is known for its delicious waterfront dining options. We recommend heading to Blue Sky Bistro Cafe when the sun starts to go down for a beautiful sunset view of Morro Rock. Or head to Rose’s Landing Bar & Grill for specialty cocktails to sip as the sky turns to pink and orange. 

You’ll also find many unique shops featuring handmade goods and art for sale created by local artists on the Embarcadero. From high-end clothing boutiques to nautical-themed gift shops, you’re sure to discover souvenirs you can’t get anywhere else.

6. Spend a Day at the Beach

Morro Bay contains hundreds of miles of stunning beaches where you can go for a dip in the water, surf the waves, and picnic in the sand. However, the beaches have very diverse offerings, and you may not want to go in the water during certain times of the year, as Morro Bay can be windy and foggy depending on when you visit.

But whether you go in the water or spend the day looking for wildlife while bundled up, there are many beaches you’ll want to explore. Morro Strand State Beach is the perfect place to spot kite surfers, look for otter pups in spring and summer, and find harbor seals taking a swim. 

If you’re traveling with a dog, you’ll want to head to Toro Beach, which is an off-leash dog beach between the north and south sections of Morro Strand. Morro Rock Beach gives you a gorgeous view of the iconic Morro Rock while you and your on-leash dog can play in the water and explore the sand dunes.

7. Go Wine Tasting

Although when we think of wine tasting in California, Napa Valley or Sonoma often come to mind first, Morro Bay boasts plenty of wineries and tasting rooms for the wine lover in your life. On the Embarcadero alone, there are several places for wine tastings. You can spend an afternoon walking between each one, but we highly recommend checking out Chateau Margene, a cozy and dog-friendly tasting room.

If you’re looking for a wine tour, check out The Wine Line, a semi-private tour that delivers you to the doors of the best wineries in the area. If you’re looking to spend a day sipping chardonnay, it’s always safer to plan your transportation in advance, and The Wine Line makes it easy. 

Not a wine drinker? We recommend taking a quick drive inland for SLO Cider, one of the best hard cider companies around. They have bottled ciders to-go or plenty on tap with unique flavors like lemon-ginger and blood orange.

8. Take a Tiki Boat Tour

Lost Isle Adventures is a family-owned touring company that offers one of the most unique Morro Bay activities. From whale watching adventure boat tours to sunset cruises with a cocktail in hand to private boat rentals, there are many options to choose from when it comes to getting out on the water. But Lost Isle Adventures is best known for its tiki boat tours.

The tiki boat tour, which launches from the Embarcadero, takes you aboard a floating tiki hut for a 45-minute harbor cruise. With Lost Isle Adventures being staffed by life-long sailors who call the Central Coast home, you’re sure to learn things about Morro Bay you never knew before while you look out for Morro Bay’s beautiful wildlife.

Lost Isle Adventures also features a tiki-themed bar, which offers 1950s-style signature tiki cocktails. Filled with exotic rums and juices, you’re bound to find a sweet treat to enjoy on your tour. 

Or, for less adventurous drinkers, there are beer and wine selections as well. And when you’re done with your tour, check out the Lost Isle Adventures shop, which specializes in Polynesian wood carvings straight from Bali.

9. Dine on the Water

Morro Bay is known for being a sleepy seaside town that’s perfect for a springtime getaway. But another aspect of Morro Bay that makes it so great to visit is its food scene. Particularly around the Embarcadero and Morro Bay’s downtown area, you’ll find dining delights with an incredible view.

Morro Bay is filled with hidden gems, like Frankie & Lola’s Front Street Cafe, where you’ll find one of the best eggs benedict around. Or Dorn’s Breakers Cafe, a delightful breakfast spot with a view of Morro Rock. For a quieter place with just as beautiful views, check out Bayside Cafe.

But while you can dine waterside at Morro Bay, you can also literally eat on the water with cruises that give you a tour of the gorgeous harbor along with a delicious meal. One of the best options is Chablis Cruises, a 50-foot, two-story riverboat cruise. 

They offer Harbor Cruises, complete with their award-winning Bloody Marys and other cocktails; Chowder Cruises, with their award-winning clam chowder and more fresh food options; and Brunch Cruises featuring seasonal and locally-sourced brunch options alongside bottomless mimosas. 

Chablis also hosts dinner and brunch events for the holiday seasons throughout the year. However, these events typically book up fast, so be sure to reserve your table early.

10. Eat and Drink at the Avocado Margarita Festival

We can’t think of anything quite as “California” as an Avocado Margarita Festival, which is easily one of the most unique things to do in Morro Bay. This three-day event is typically held in the fall and takes place in and around Tidelands Park. 

Surrounded by stunning views of Morro Bay, you’ll dine on gourmet avocado treats from the best bakers and chefs on the Central Coast. And you’ll wash it all down with eclectic margaritas courtesy of renowned mixologists.

Live music will play throughout the festival on the Tidelands stage, as well as another musical showcase that ends Saturday night over at Morro Rock. From picnic movie nights to morning yoga, there’s plenty to do all weekend long. Throughout the festival, you’ll also find one-of-a-kind treasures from local vendors. 

If you’d like to experience all this unique festival has to offer, you can grab yourself a VIP pass. This ticket will get you admission into every part of the festival, including the Saturday night concert on Morro Rock, as well as access to the VIP Floating Lounge, which offers complimentary food and non-alcoholic drinks.

11. Admire Kites at the Morro Bay Kite Festival

In the spring comes a different kind of festival that’s focused on nature and art. This fun-filled, family-friendly event invites you to take in beautiful pieces of art flying over Morro Bay. 

Throughout the weekend, you’ll find synchronized dances of team flyers, creating ballets in the sky with smaller kites. You’ll also find one-of-a-kind gigantic kites courtesy of solo pilots. 

For even more fun for the kids, the festival features a candy drop twice a day, where flyers lift kites full of candy into the air and then release the candy for the kids to gather. Central Coast Funds for Children also gives away 500 free kites for kids to decorate and fly. 

Throughout the festival, you’ll find plenty to do in addition to kite flying, courtesy of a diverse group of local vendors. From sweet treats to savory snacks, these vendors offer perfect bites to pick up between your flying sessions. And while you snack, you’ll learn from local non-profits about ways to help keep Morro Bay beautiful.

12. Explore the Morro Bay Maritime Museum

Located on the Embarcadero is a museum that focuses on preserving the maritime history of California. In the 1990s, Brent Roberts assembled a group of people who dedicated themselves to this preservation and called them the Central Coast Maritime Museum Association. The group worked with city leaders to establish a place on the Morro Bay waterfront for a place to keep all this history, and thus the Morro Bay Maritime Museum was born.

This museum is one of the must-do things in Morro Bay to do for history buffs. See the historic tug Alma and learn about what brought World War II to our shores. Or climb aboard the Avalon, one of only two Cold War-era rescue submarines developed by the U.S. Navy and featured in the 1990 film Hunt for Red October and the 2018 film Hunter Killer. 

The museum is continuing to collect and preserve more boats, like the Monterey-style commercial fishing boat, the Spindrift, a testament to California’s fishing industry. Private tours are available to book in advance.

The museum also hosts several events throughout the year, like Family Fun Day in the fall, which provides tons of fun for the whole family. After watching the Annual Morro Bay Rotary Ducky Derby, you can head to the museum to visit exhibits, build sandcastles, go treasure hunting, participate in sailing activities, and much more. End the day with sea shanties and enthralling stories of being at sea.

13. Stroll through Montaña de Oro State Park

Nearby Morro Bay in Los Osos is Montaña de Oro State Park, aka “Mountains of Gold.” The park received its name thanks to the golden wildflowers that cover its hills in spring. Here you’ll find rugged cliffs, sandy beaches, coastal plains, flowing streams, stunning canyons, and flower-covered hills, including the 1,347-foot Valencia Peak. 

Take a walk along Bluff Trail, which provides you with spectacular views of the Pacific while the ocean breeze runs through your hair. One of the most scenic trails in the area, it’s easy to see why it’s a favorite spot for hikers and photographers alike. Along the trail, you can take a side path down to Corallina Cove, where you can go tide pooling and look for sea stars, mussels, anemones, and more. 

While you’re at the park, check out Spooner’s Cove, a secluded beach known for its pebbly sand and unique rock formations. For those who love sleeping under the stars, the park also features plenty of campsites.

14. Walk along the Elfin Forest

Adjacent to the Morro Bay Estuary is the El Moro Elfin Forest, located in Los Osos. This 90-acre area supports more than 200 species of plants, 110 kinds of birds, 22 species of mammals, and 13 species of reptiles. If you’re a nature lover, Elfin Forest is one of the coolest things to do in Morro Bay and well worth the short trek over to Los Osos. 

This forest received its name thanks to the short stature of the Coast Live Oaks, despite these trees growing upwards of 50 feet elsewhere. A boardwalk path loop was constructed in 1999 to provide better wheelchair access and protect this sensitive environment, so be sure to stay on the boardwalk when you visit. 

From this loop, you’ll take in breathtaking views of the estuary and Elfin Forest’s stunning wildlife and foliage. You’ll walk through seven distinct environment types, each with its own unique flora and fauna.

The Elfin Forest also features three types of walks throughout the year. Third Saturday Walks are docent-led and provide you with opportunities to learn about the forest. Discovery Walks are flexible and focus on the areas of interest for the groups of walkers. Sketch Walks allow you to take a seat in the forest and draw the beauty of the world around you.

15. Take a Tour of Hearst Castle

Located north of Morro Bay in San Simeon, Hearst Castle deserves a top spot on your Morro Bay bucket list for a reason. This monumental masterpiece was built by William Randolph Hearst in 1919 and only continued to grow. 

By 1947, when Hearst needed to leave the remote location due to his poor health, he considered the mansion to be unfinished, despite the complex including a twin-towered main building, three guesthouses, and 127 acres of terraced gardens, fountains, and pools. Hearst Castle is also home to an incredible museum of art and antiquities from around the globe.  

Reservations are recommended when booking a tour of Hearst Castle. And you have plenty of options when it comes to picking your tour. With so much to see, it’s impossible to see it all in one visit, so the tours are divided up by sections of the grounds. There’s a Grand Rooms Tour, Upstairs Suites Tour, and Cottages & Kitchens Tour.

However, for people most interested in the history of the house, there’s a Hearst and Hollywood Tour about the connection between the house and Hollywood’s Golden Age elite. The Art of San Simeon Tour is where you’ll receive an in-depth look at Heart’s art collection. The Designing the Dream Tour focuses on the decades of planning for the mansion’s construction, while the Julia Morgan Tour is on the architect behind the grounds. 

The Evening Tour invites guests to dress in 1930s attire and walk around the house just as Hearst’s guests once did. The Holiday Twilight Tour, offered around the holiday season, showcases the house in a most festive way as you take in the sights of Hearst Castle in winter.

Not all tours are available year-round, so be sure to check what’s available when you book. Because these buildings have many stairs and are quite large, some tours are available for guests who have difficulty walking up and down stairs and for extended lengths of time.

There you have it! The 15 best things to do in Morro Bay. What’s your favorite thing to do?

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