Morro Bay is a beautiful, laid-back coastal town nestled along the scenic Central Coast on Highway 1. This under-the-radar gem is home to an array of outdoor activities, from kayaking and whale watching to exploring the wildlife-rich estuaries and hiking at nearby state parks. Best known for its iconic natural landmark, Morro Rock, this enormous volcanic plug rises majestically from the Pacific Ocean, making it a focal point of the town's beautiful landscape.
Morro Bay offers relaxed vibes that can best be soaked in on the waterfront. This scenic strip boasts a vibrant blend of seafood restaurants, cafes, boutique shops, art galleries and wine tasting, creating a perfect blend of coastal charm and eclectic beach town culture. And a great place to explore for foodies.
For breakfast, there are several cozy spots to choose from. Daisy's Organic Coffee and Teas is a family-owned coffee shop serving organic coffee, tea, and classic breakfast dishes. Meanwhile, Suns and Buns Bakery is a charming teal shop, offering freshly baked pastries and coffee just across the street from the water.
Enjoy fresh seafood at places like Tognazzini's Dockside Restaurant for dinner. Tognazzini's offers an upscale ambiance and menu of coastal Italian dishes like seafood risotto, shrimp scampi pasta or their signature Tequila Splash Salmon Grilled made with their house made tequila marinade.
For something casual, head over to Lil Harbor Hut which offers beachey classics like fish and chips, fish tacos and chowder for lunch.
Keep your eyes open. Along the water you're likely to find sea otter moms playing with their pups, giant sea lions sun bathing and a variety of birds and other marine animals waiting to be spotted.
In addition to the eateries on the waterfront, the culinary scene is distinctive with Morro Bay thanks to a number of farmers and purveyors who take pride in their work, highlighting sustainability and innovation as key tenants of what they do.
Family ran Shanley Farms, for example, the goal has always been to bring exceptional, farm-fresh produce into the homes of food lovers across the country. They implement layered agriculture, a sustainable practice that maximizes land use by pairing complementary crops. They produce a varied selection of products Citriburst Finger Limes, Morro Bay Avocados, Gator Eggs Avocados, Passion Fruit, Dragon Fruit, and specialty coffee varieties.
Known as Secret Season, now is the best time to visit this quintessential California escape. The summer crowds are long gone and the weather is clear skies and full sunshine. The waterfront offers plenty of options for paddleboard and kayak rentals, in addition to tour companies waiting to take you on your next worthwhile adventure.
The central coast is home to hundreds of humpback whales feeding on the abundant sea life during this time, so tours with Morro Bay Whale Watching is a must.
If being out in the open waters isn't your thing, take a curated hiking tour with Wildheart Coastal Adventures. Mandy Davis, a professional naturalist and guide, will show you the best trails, views and vistas in the area all while educating you on the terrain and region. She also offers curated kayaking tours on the Morro Bay estuary that offer an up close look at the wildlife that makes this place special.
Something equally unique to this area is seaweed foraging tours with Marley Family Seaweeds. Seaweed foraging is an agri-tourism activity that is truly a one-of-a-kind experience that offers an in-depth look at the nutrient dense plants living in our coastal waters. During your private foraging tour you'll learn all about how to forage your own seaweed, the marine life that makes up the ecosystem, and more.
This unique experience culminates in make seaweed ramen right on the beach with the seaweed you foraged. Your guide cooks up a rich seaweed broth with kombu and the variety of seaweeds found, to create the perfect, steamy bowl of ramen to warm you up once the sunsets.
What else makes Morro Bay great? It's just a half hour from Paso Robles wine country which is home to 250 wine brands and hundreds of tasting rooms. Don't miss out on Booker Wine which produces a myriad of different wines with an emphasis on Rhône varietals. The sprawling property features an state-of-the-art visitor center, underground wine caves and indoor-outdoor tasting lounges that flows into the vineyard environment.
Family-owned and operated Hope Family Wines is another notable winery to visit. Known for a variety of wines including Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Mourvedre and Grenache, they've been producing quality wine the California Central Coast for over 30 years.
While in Paso Robles, make time to explore its fun downtown area which offers a ton of great boutique shops, restaurants, bars, cafes and more. Make your dinner reservation at Fish Gaucho, the lively cantina featuring modern Mexican fare, craft cocktails and tequila in a rustic-chic space. If you're feeling up for more drinks after, check out Serial Wines, Cane Tiki Room, 1122 Speakeasy, Hope on the Park or Tetto Rooftop Bar at the Piccolo.
Before heading back to Morro Bay, be sure to get tickets for Sensorio -- one of California's largest immersive art exhibitions. Wander through a dazzling display of over 100,000 illuminated bulbs, evoking the magic of bioluminescent blooms from a vibrant, jewel-toned dreamscape. Discover a collection of solar-powered installations that blend light and sound technology, creating a inimitable sensory journey filled with vibrant colors.