If you like a slower pace, Morro Bay is great. Small shops, ocean breeze, and that huge rock staring at you everywhere you go. It's not a big tourist scene, which I actually loved. The beaches are clean, people were pleasant & mellow, and the bay views are beautiful. We spent most of the time just walking around. Plenty of parking too. While strolling the pier, you can find numerous seafood and waterfront dining options. If you live in California, it's a 3-day weekend escape, including the hours on the road. read more

Morro Bay - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Morro Bay, California

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Love this quiet little sleepy beach town! Morro bay is such a hidden gem off the 1, and one of my favorite spots in SLO county. There are lots of adorable little shops and boutiques, dog friendly restaurants, seal / otter watching, and a great beach for surfing or relaxing. A great spot to get fresh seafood. Highly recommend also getting a kayak or stand up paddle board to explore the bay while enjoying the great bay weather or catching a sunset. read more

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SLEEPY TOWN w/ FANTASTIC WEATHER! I loved the opportunity to explore this well-known California town. It's a favorite of many California locals and has a nice, homey vibe. It's definitely a weekend getaway spot to unwind, stay at an inn, try some fresh seafood, and explore around the unique local shops. I couldn't see Morro Rock (due to overcast weather) on this visit but I got to enjoy the docks a little and get some fresh air. I'm a little worried that there's a factory with gas cylinders right by the water. It's a little concerning for the environment, local wildlife, and people. I'm hoping this doesn't pollute! I'll be back, I love overcast weather and intimate docks! read more

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Very cool place to visit. Ample parking in dirt lot. Lots of photo opportunities: sea otters, birds, ground squirrel. Majestic. Incredibly beautiful and unique. Cool rocks, people building, places to walk, people stacking rocks as trail markers. Lots of eateries, thrift and second hand shops, salt water taffy, fish and chips, seafood, collectibles and t shirts. Cool shops along water front and on town streets. Had a great time, mostly off the beaten path. Lots of murals and artwork. read more

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I love this area. It's has a very chill vibe, and offers a lot of wildlife watching. Bring binoculars if you have them, and take a nice walk by the water if you can. Weekdays/nights are great, as it doesn't get packed with people and cars, and plenty of restaurants to grab a meal. read more

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This is a beautiful town. It was a clear sunny day. As the day went on, the fog came in. There are a plethora of quaint little shops with lots of handmade crafts and souvenirs. I recommend this town for a visit. The locals were friendly and accommodating. read more

It's unbelievable that I haven't written a review for Morro Bay yet, as it's definitely my happy place. Whenever I need to clear my head, this is the first spot that comes to mind. It brings me immense joy. I recently sat by the water, feeling content as I soaked in the beautiful 60° weather--a refreshing change from the 90° heat of Paso Robles. When I move out of state, Morro Bay will certainly be one of the places I miss most. I love strolling down the Embarcadero, even though many shops carry similar items; it's always a pleasant experience. We also visited Dog Beach and watched the dogs and kids play. It was an absolutely perfect day. 6/24/24 read more

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This is my husband's favorite beach! If he had his way, this would be the only beach we would go to. He loves that it's cold all year long, especially when it's over 100 degrees in Bakersfield. It's in the 60s in Morro Bay. Although it's not sunny, my daughters and I still get burnt. This was the first time we brought our doggie, Bella, with us. I loved how everyone and every place was dog friendly. And of course Bella attracted so many peoples attention, she is beautiful! We love walking the trails and seeing all the other dogs. We loved being able to take Bella on the sand, and I even saw someone stand up paddleboarding with two of their dogs. I loved that!!! There are so many shops and food places to go to, it's perfect! I appreciate the public parking and public restrooms. read more

Morro Bay - Our Bella on the trail - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Morro Bay, California

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Wonderful little beach town with wide streets surrounded by art shops. There's a very cool art walk with tents filled with unique works. And down towards the water along the boardwalk, you get an amazing view of the bay with sea lions and sea otters all around. This is my first time, and first day visiting, and I have already fallen in love with the place. read more

Morro Bay - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Morro Bay, California

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Site of a big energy- power company, so you may have heard the name already. It's decommissioned but you can see the stacks on the horizon. Loads of animal / marine life, loads of tourists and kids. Don't feed the squirrels! You can see some that are jumbo sized- bigger than a football- human food is not good for them. Several benches, you can also sit on the rocks, a bit sharp and pointy and hard. Fun to watch the otters, fishing boats, tour boats in the bay. Some people swim here, but it's better to start at the beach further along the path. State park & beaches are further down the walking road. The road is blocked to cars on this side. read more

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While planning a weekend trip to the California Coast, I ended up finding this place on an online map. When I did a little research, I thought this looked like the perfect place to take a pit stop on my way back from Hearst Castle. Well, I made the mistake of not pre-booking my tickets online, and by the time I arrived at Hearst Castle, tickets were sold out, sadly they turned us away. Well, it ended up working out perfect for me in the end, because I had plenty of time to get here during daylight to walk around and tour this awesome little Beach Town. Best of all, I was able to watch the sunset here, and boy was it beautiful. There is definitely a variety of speciality shops, restaurants, bakeries and treats to choose from here, best of all... they are all mom & pops, so you'll be supporting local businesses owners here. If you're looking for a chain restaurant here, sorry, you won't find it. Try something new and support local. Parking for our visit was plentiful, however, I could see a major parking issue during the busy season. There are some public restrooms behind Carousel Taffy, which really comes in handy after a long drive to get here. Overall, it's a great little town. I plan on coming back again this summer when it gets hot. Highly Recommended! read more

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Morro Bay is a generational memory generator! Check the local weather and water reports, and prepare for weather in case of. The Morro Bay Harbor Department and Lifeguard department have saved many lives here, be aware of wet sand when walking as the ocean waves come in sets and surge up the sandy beaches. Walk along with your dogs on leash at the dry sand mark and enjoy God's gift of the fringe of our continent! read more

Morro Bay - George C. Scott vessel takes a hard hit from a significant red flag swell day at the Jaws of the Morro Bay Harbor mouth - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Morro Bay, California

I've driven up and down highway 1 many times but often just zipped by the small town oh Morro Bay... until this time. I'd say it's worth a few hours to half a day's stay. Morro Rock was a volcanic plug (Google if you're a science person or just curious - good story for kids as well). Now it offers a nice scenery on the wharf. You can get pretty close to take some nice photos. You can also drive to the rock. Many seafood restaurants around; most with views. A walk along the edge of the wharf let's you take in the nice coastal breeze and scenery. read more

Morro Bay - Moreo Rock, with its reflection. - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Morro Bay, California

My old home! I sure do miss Morro Bay and the beaches here. This is a place of peace for me. I usually come back at least once a year to visit and get away from the heat of Tennessee. Even though I love Tennessee, Morro Bay will always have a special place in my heart and always be home! read more

Morro Bay - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Morro Bay, California

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My wife and I have been vacationing in this area since the late 90's. Cambria is where we stay and then we venture out to Morro Bay, Paso Robles, San Simeon, etc. We've stayed in Morro Bay a few times but the nighttime fog horn and constant barking seals drives me crazy so I prefer the quiet town of Cambria to sleep in. Morro Bay though does have a lot of budget options if you want to stay somewhere cheaper than the surrounding towns. Morro Bay has excellent dining options (my favorite being The Galley), lots of unique gift shops, great garden store, beautiful bay full of otters, seals, and pelicans, the beautiful Morro Rock, and some great hiking trails. One of my favorite areas is the hiking trail that goes along the bird estuary. I was surprised they added a new trail with a wooden plank walkway that let you hike along areas you couldn't get to before. The town is big so make sure you drive around since you're sure to find some cool things to do. There's even a fun museum. read more

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This is one of those places you never really knew about, but once you do, you wonder how the heck you had never heard of it or been there before! Easily the gem of California's central coast. That massive landmark Morro Rock is literally (and figuratively) that massive gem drawing visitors and locals alike! To read about it being a volcanic plug, and the history of this area makes Morro Bay all the more magical! My husband and I planned a stay in SLO and researched all the nearby beaches and outdoor/nature activities and attractions. Morro Bay popped up, and when we read that it's also home to sea otter sanctuaries, we knew we weren't going to miss it! Well not only did we spend a whole morning and afternoon here, but we came back the following morning to walk/hike around again, and say hello to our new little sea otter buddies! (See photos for a glimpse of those furry little guys!) Such an amazing place to breathe in that crisp ocean air, delight in marine life, and get that small beach town/seaside town feel. We really loved grabbing our coffees and breakfast to-go and taking them down to the water to enjoy while taking in all the scenery. We were here in June 2021, and already planned to return in fall 2021. Can't wait! read more

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This evaluation is for the town, the bay itself, and the whole overall Morro Bay experience. Morro Bay is a great little coastal city to visit, especially when it's blazing hot only 30 minutes inland. 111° in atascadero and 72° in Morro bay. In the city there is at least one good restaurant, I've only eaten in Morro Bay once. But there are way too many Beach oriented tourist trinket shops. The downtown area is great for a quick walk around, and if you haven't walked around Moro Rock, it is a must at least one. Read up on the geologic history of Moro Rock. read more

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One of the most friendliest town we have visited in California. We love everything about Morro Bay. From the small businesses, amazing restaurants, super friendly locals, and a ton of outdoor things to do like kayaking, surfing, swimming on the beach, to walking downtown right at the pier over looking Morro Rock, we just felt so relaxed here and so welcome. It is also a very pet friendly town. The merchants welcomed our dogs as we purchased souvenir. We met a few locals and sat down with them while sipping our cappuccino. This is truly a hidden gem right off on Highway 1 Coast. We will definitely return. Cheers! read more

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Can't drive up Highway 1 (to Cambria) without stopping at Morro Bay/Rock. Simply can't. This past week, we drove up to Cambria and of course, stopped at Morro Bay. It was really foggy, which I don't think I've been there when it's been like that. I rather liked it, though - gave the rock a sort of eeriness. This rock is a fascinating piece of geology, jutting out of the ocean like that. Always a pleasure to stop by and sit with the rock and stare out at the ocean. This visit, unlike any other, we also spent some time at the Embarcadero, which was lots of fun. Touristy, but fun. Some cute shops. We also had lunch at an AMAZING little dive restaurant away from the action in a hard-to-get-to strip mall (due to street construction) called Flavor Factory. It was OUTSTANDING !!!! read more

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We took a trip up the coast, driving from SD to SF and planned to stop in Morro Bay for the night. I really love when my guy plans out these trips, because he not only selects the destination - but plans everything along the way, stopping at all the beaches. We arrive in time, as he always makes sure we catch the sunset before dinner. Morro Bay's sunset was so beautiful, very colorful skies with the Morro rock in the background. We stayed at a local hotel, took walks along the pier, had a beer at a local pub and a romantic seafood dinner for two. We hung out near the pier and watched the seals play in the water around the pier posts. They seemed to be having a good time and were cute to see. read more

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Recently visited Morro Bay for the first time with my cousin for our birthdays. It's definitely worth seeing, although it was all a lot smaller in person than I was expecting. Compared to Half Dome, Morro Rock is fun-sized. We drove out to the beach late at night, and practically had the whole place to ourselves. The tide was low, and we walked down towards the shore. We were standing out there for several minutes peacefully, when suddenly, I heard my cousin scream. She started running a split second before I did, which made all the difference. It was like this mini tsunami came out of nowhere. She managed to stay dry above the waist, but I got soaked to the bone, and felt like I barely made it out alive. Good thing we're both good swimmers. After that experience, I refused to walk out past the rocks, which I'm assuming is about where the tide normally comes to. Anyway, we had fun. Morro Bay is a cute little town, and isn't as overcrowded as most coastal towns are. The location is perfect for us, since it's right between my cousin's house and my aunt's house. My favorite restaurant in Morro Bay, as well as the only restaurant I've been to so far, is Tognazzini's Dockside. I highly recommend that place, and would definitely love to go again next time I'm around. read more

California never fails to humble me as I can discover more places I've never been. I'm a sucker for beautiful sunsets and being here right on time to see the sun go down was such a blessing. Living in California my whole life it's easy to take it for granted that we live in one of the most beautiful states in the country. I always try to remember to be grateful. Driving to beach, you can see the huge rock face that juts out of the bay. Like the big kid that I am, I was already excited to hop out of the car and run out to the water. The parking lot offered easy access and I ran out quickly to breathe in the fresh sea air and cool breeze. I'm not going to lie. I took off my mask for a bit (I made sure there was no one around me when I did) because what's going to the ocean without taking it all in. There were plenty of surfers here and the stretch of sand was big enough to have ample amounts of space for people to socially distance. It also helped that there weren't many people here the day that we went. I probably took too many pics but I couldn't help it. Beaches + sunsets are my thing and they just make me happy in general. They also had designated fire pits by the rocks with cement benches but I'm not sure these are open right now because of Covid. Cheers to exploring more of California! read more

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I can't believe I've never been to this quaint little town. There is some fun history here. Great beach to collect shells and sand dollars. Beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Their is an overwhelming sense of calm here. Hotel rooms in the area are so reasonable for being located right on the beach. The embarcadero boardwalk and main street hasve a variety of fine eateries, activities and shops. Lots of hiking and things to do nearby. A true gem of California. read more

Morro Bay - Morro Rock - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Morro Bay, California

Morro Rock Beneath a blue dome, above an azure sea a volcanic prodigy stands proudly to the heavens caressed by the tide; encircled by a cloud of feathered hunters. Nature's landmark beckons a sojourn for all sea-drained travelers Its base, a dozen vessels strong; its peak, a half-score of stacked masts those at shore stand and marvel the brilliance of the bay. That poem by -- Vincent Lowry simplifies the beauty of Morro Bay. Over the past 18 years we come here often to unwind and to rewind. Sadly because of Covid19 many places have closed, the town feels lonely but the majestic rock remains a powerful landmark to admire. read more

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Morro Bay is a beautiful beach town that hasn't expanded the way Pismo Beach has in the past decade. Great seafood restaurants and nice shops in town. The beach is near the historic Morro rock and there's plenty of outdoor activities for all. ‍‍ read more

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Morro Bay is so beautiful. I wish they were a little closer to Sacramento! This is a wonderful travel destination not too far from Santa Barbara. Only 15 minutes away from San Luis Obispo. Very convenient location with many excellent restaurants and outdoor activities. The shopping area has many visitors come here looking for souvenirs and some cute little things they want to bring home. The Morro Rock in the middle of the ocean catches everyone's eyes, and you can see it almost everywhere in Morro Bay. The Morro Bay State Park is well maintained, and many hiking trails are available for all ages. This is a beautiful city you don't want to skip! read more

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It's been years since I've lasted visiting this place. And normally it's only when I'm driving up or down the coast for a road trip. Just like any other time, this was to get out of the house and enjoy some fresh air with everything that's been going on. First off, you don't have to worry about parking as there was plenty of it. We all know reason why. Covid19 Incase anyone's been under a rock. People did practice social distancing but there's always a few that seem to not care what so ever. The cool thing that they had for everyone was the one way direction for social distancing. One side of the sidewalk for one direction and the opposite for the other. Some people took it to heart while others didn't really care. The marina was quiet but busy enough. It was a bit more busier at the fish market/restaurant. There was a good line of people waiting to order and pick up the fresh seafood. The walkway along the waterfront was pretty mellow and most people tend to stay on the main strip. Plus it was a tad windy so the waterfront was chilly. The drive up to the rock was blocked off so that wasn't a go for us. Like most places, public restroom are all closed. I did notice some porter potties but no soap and sanitizer were left. It's always nice to come back for a visit. Even though with everything that's going on, it was still nice to get out of town and see something different. read more

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Morro Bay is a wonderful city to visit on the SLO county coast nestled between the large Montaña de Oro State Park and Cayucos. Besides the iconic Morro Rock, there's also a 100% probability of spotting sea otters. That's quite unique as sea otters are endangered and mostly absent from their once wide ranging habitat. Even though Morro Bay's marina is still busy with boat traffic; the sea otters still call it home. In addition, the city does a good job posting signs and informational placards on the importance of not littering - especially because it ends up in this fragile habitat. Overall, this is a great place to visit when driving through but is also worth spending a night to grab some dinner and leisurely walk along the marina and bay to the rock. read more

Best fresh crab, and seafood anywhere around San Luis Obispo county. Our favorite place to pick fresh crab and bring them home and cook them. Very friendly staff. read more

There's this magical little place that's located amongst California's central coast. It's filled with stunning beaches and the most charming little stores and restaurants. When you're there, it'll make you feel like you're miles and miles away from home. It's calming. Relaxing. Peaceful. Liberating. In the night, you can hear its' waves crashing against the rocks. The stars shine bright and cast the most gorgeous glow on the ocean. During the day, you'll be exposed to one of the most beautiful rocks that you'll ever see, and it will follow you wherever you go. The sea otters will come out to play in the afternoon. There will be boats sailing and people admiring. You can walk along the pier and take in the breathtaking views of the city. Or you can just sit there and watch the sun go down. The sunsets are mesmerizing... they'll make you never want to leave. The fresh air and blusterous wind will become your best friend; especially during the summertime. The place will capture you with its' beauty, and hold you hostage with its' charm. You'll be in awe of the bay, Morro Bay... this magical little place. read more

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The beach, the food, the shops... the Rock! Been visiting Morro Bay since 2011. It has been a part of our stops every time we visit Pismo Beach and Solvang. The shops and restaurants are plentiful in this beautiful city known for its Morro Rock. Actually, during my first visit I didn't know anything about this little coastal city until I saw that huge rock. We decided to take a detour and drive along the waterfront. It was a warm, dry summer in mid August, peak beach season, perfect time for a dip! Again in August the following year... this time we brought along our two daughters. Watched them play in the water and sand and also saw the Coast Guard in action. Don't know where they disappeared to but they came back in about an hour. We recently just came back from visiting the Central Coast on a mini weekend getaway. It was springtime weather, sunny but there was the wind factor. We spent some time walking along the waterfront, had lunch at the Libertine Pub where we had great views of the beach, the Rock, and sea otters that would playfully pop up from the water. Got some salt water taffy at the Carousel Taffy and drove to the state park. The three smokestacks from the power plant are still there even though it has ceased operation sometime now. It has been a city landmark since the 1950s! I can't imagine it going away anytime soon but I don't know what the city's plans are. There is also a display of the Avalon across the waterfront, a Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle. Nice place to visit. Morro Bay is a coastal town along CA State Route 1 on California's Pacific shore near San Luis Obispo (SLO). Review #1015 read more

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Easily the favorite beach on my most recent trip to California, Morro Bay is just gorgeous. Besides that breath-taking landmark rock, you will find swaths of plants and flowers growing in the sand, nests of seaweed and kelp washed ashore, big ol' crabs, and SO MANY sand dollars. I have never had much luck hunting for sand dollars, and especially not for perfect, whole specimens. They are all over the place at Morro Bay, and eventually I just stopped noticing them as stuffing so many in my pockets started to feel greedy. We arrived early in the morning, right as the sun was rising, so had the entire beach to ourselves. Dreamy. We parked along the road, as we could not locate a parking lot, though I would be incredibly surprised if one is not available. I am sure later in the day this is a popular spot, and thus crowded. Happily, the beach is large, so there should be plenty of room for all visitors. I took a run along the shore, and it was great if you are a fan of going barefoot. No rocks or pebbles, or really anything to hinder you, just watch for the sand dollars! The whole area of San Luis Obispo was so lovely, and this is a must-visit if you are anywhere nearby. read more

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My favorite place on earth is this small coastal town tucked between San Francisco and Los Angeles. This is the perfect family vacation trip that has everything a family could want for a relaxing time. Enjoy walking on the Embarcadero boardwalk shopping and eating. Or maybe hit the beach for the day in the beautiful sun. Or if you fill like fishing there are a number ofnoiers or deep sea fishing trips to appease everyone. This sleepy coastal town really is a true my happy place and it will be yours as well once you visit. read more

If you want to watch sea otters and their cut babies, this is a good place to visit. Since my friend told me this palace, we been here 3 times. Pismo beach is near by, you should visit Monarch Butterfly Grove,Nature preserve, We stay in hotel here, instead of morro bay. We like here. read more

Morro Bay is a beautiful, well maintained little seaside town. The main street running along the bay can be easily walked in less than an hour, and it is a walk that should be taken if you are here. Walking along the water is peaceful as you watch boaters and kayakers roll by. You can hear the sounds of sea lions echoing (they hang out toward the north end of town). When we were there last week there were also a few playful sea otters swimming around and people watching (while people were watching them!). At the south end is a boat launch and where you will find fishermen cleaning their days catch. Seagulls are close by, watching for scraps that may fall their way. Walking north is Tidelands Park, with kiddie play area and green grass. There are a lot of locals walking their dogs along this stretch. There are a lot of cute shops and many restaurants, too. And Morro Rock is especially beautiful as the sun is setting. There is a Trolley that runs from Morro Rock to the very south end of town (there are different routes). According to the sign it operates Friday-Mondays and holidays. The cost is $3 for an all day pass. We took this the last time we were here. The driver gave a narration as she drove us around. The Trolley is a great way to get around town. I highly recommend it. I am so glad we decided to stop at Morro Bay on our last trip along the California coast. We were so ready to just chill out, and this is exactly what we did. read more

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Our first visit to Morro Bay was when we were on a weekend trip to the Hearst Castle from the Bay Area. We didn't know much about this sleepy little coastal town, but we quickly fell in love with it. This is a nice spot where you can get away from it all. To me, this is the perfect place to stay for a night if you are visiting Hearst. Morro Bay has a cute Main Street near the water. It's fun to walk around, shop, dine and take in some stunning views. If you have another day here, I recommend Pismo Beach too. Do you live in LA but have Bay Area friends or family? This is the perfect midway point for meeting up! We did that a couple of times with our friends who were still up north. Morro Bay is famous for it's 576 foot massive rock! I'd recommend going on a boat tour to learn more about the area. We opted for a pontoon boat ride, it was reasonably priced at $10-15. The climate here is extremely consistent all year round. The weather in January didn't feel too different than in early August. This is a spot you will want to have a jacket or sweatshirt for. read more

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Wednesday was the PURRFECT (as my cat says) day to be out and about on this high 70's degree, late February day. Lunch in town before I embark on the Embarcadero side. New Oyster place to open soon, spaces for lease (perfect upstairs location for a restaurant), new location for Patriot Fishing. Morro Bay Rocks Live music at 3 pm outside at Tognazzi's (their fresh fish/Cafe)!!! Before arriving here I needed to stop at Dollar Tree before getting to the Wharf. I pulled in and lo and behold, EMPTY. I was shocked and sad. A Local was going by and asked "why did they go out of business"? They didn't. Just moved down the way to where the old Cookie Crock grocery store was, to a BIGGER location. Yeah!!! So I strolled over there and WOW, their at the Grand opening stage. We'll, not the grand, GRAND OPENING, but their open. Entering, they are finishing isles and isles of merchandise to be put on their shelves. And this place is bigger. Let me point out they are in partnership with Family Dollar who so happen to move in NEXT door with their pre opening also. So FYI ... Locals and Out Of Towners. Back to Morro Bay. It was a WONDERFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. Morro Bay Rocks read more

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The hotel is in a great location right on the bay. The rooms are filthy this is what the feet pick up just from walking from the bathroom to the bed. I don't think these floors have been mopped since the wood replaced the old carpet. Just to give you a heads up...THERE IS NO internet service forget reaching guest services... read more

Morro Bay - Floors dirt - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Morro Bay, California

One of our favorite places to stay on the Central coast. Lots of restaurants and shops and close by to SLO, Cayucos, and Cambria. Lots of places to stay as well. The sea otters are so fun to see. Just came back from a quick weekend trip and it was crowded. I would say about 30% of the folks we saw on the street didn't wear masks so if you have underlying health conditions, be forewarned. read more

Morro Bay - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Morro Bay, California

Quiet laid back community. Really small with lots of places to eat. A great stop for a quick bite or shopping. Ample free parking and chill laid back vibe. For me, this is not necessarily a destination spot but a place to check out if you're driving through and want to relax for a bit. read more

Morro Bay - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Morro Bay, California

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