This review is for the Morro Bay Harbor & Estuary hike which is a ~2.5 mile round trip that takes ~1 hour to complete (longer if you take plenty of photos!). Great views of Morro Rock, the ocean and Morro Bay! Plenty of wildlife including otters! GPX route starts from the parking, through the restaurants and towards a paved trail. If you don't want to walk too long, there are parking spots right at the rock. Short video of the hike for those interested! https://youtu.be/PRpFv2muLao read more

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Beautiful place to visit on your Central Coast vacation. Just moving to the area myself, I am looking for new places to enjoy my time. The Morro Rock Beach is dog-friendly (dogs must be leashed) so it's a great escape for both my dog and I. The beach is full of sand dollars and shells. The harbor has great restaurants and you can see sea lions and sea otters regularly. read more

Morro Bay Rock - Morro Rock from the harbor - Beaches Near Me - Morro Bay, California

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Very easy to get to following GPS. We spent a total of three hours here but that's because we were trying to kill time before going to Hearst Castle. We drove to the parking lot closest to the rock. All parking is free and free to enter. There's a public restroom here. You have the beach side where you could go in the water. The sand is very fine and soft. Lots of kelp so it was stinky. Then we headed over to the causeway. It's a paved path. You can't walk all the way around, it's like 1/4 of the rock. It's just a big rock. Nothing special but to me, it was very spiritual and calming. Something about nature that keeps your grounded and piece of volcanic plug rises to the ground is pretty impressive. Then we drove into town along the embarcadero for a stroll and ate lunch. You get a nicer view from afar from different angles. Better on a clear day. read more

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When you're in Morro Bay you must visit the Morro Bay Rock. There's a full parking options. When you first drive in there's a beach side where you can see surfers. The bay side you'll see boats coming in and out of the harbor and usually families of sea otters frolicking around. You can also walk around to the back side of the rock to see some crazy waves hitting the breakwater. In the area surrounding the rock they've added lots of nice walking and biking trails. Only reason I can't give it 5 stars is there's a lot of whacky people who seem to lurk around to bother visitors. It's always been this way over the decades and not a new thing. One time a crazy lady opened my car door and tried to get into my car. This time around seemed like a lot of people living in their cars parked around the lot. read more

Morro Bay Rock - Picture taken from estuary wetlands - Beaches Near Me - Morro Bay, California

Wow, what a large, beautiful, chiseled rock! Boy, was it quite windy on the north side of the rock! Hold on to your hats! After my friends and I viewed the rock, and the beautiful waves the surfers were going to hang a ride on on the north side we decided to walk to the south side. You will be in awe as you walk along side of the large beauty. They have signs posted that no climbing is allowed. I could see how this could catch the eye or attention of a climber. You will find cacti with prickly pear buds along the south side of the Rock. That caught me by surprise seeing cacti so close to the oceanfront. On this side you will find a kiosk that will share the history behind the Moro Bay Rock. Also on this side we were able to witness some sea otters playing and swimming amongst the seaweed floating on the water. In the distant you will see some sand dunes too. On either side of the Rock you will find some concrete benches to sit and soak in the rays and beauty of this entire area. The parking is a bit bumpy. We were able to find parking with no problem at all, with plenty more parking all around. A statue was dedicated to families of mariners, 'To Those Who Wait.'. I'm glad a got to see this beauty and I wouldn't mind stopping here again. I would surely recommend stopping by. read more

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Morro Bay Rock is one of the 9 Sisters of Morros. The Nine Sisters or the Morros are a chain of twenty-three, although typically only nine are included, volcanic mountains and hills in western San Luis Obispo County, Southern California. They run between Morro Bay and San Luis Obispo. Morro Rock is the icon of Morro Bay. The parking area is currently free and the lot is pitted earth, the potholes are seriously carved by rain and tires so drive slow. There are bathrooms here open to the public, a small playground and numerous benches. If you park to walk along the beach, walk the wet high tide mark and avoid surging waves. Don't feed the birds as they swarm from the rock and cause a poppy ruckus. Likewise avoid feeding the quirky little squirrels who tug at your desire to give them your sandwich lol. Do not park next to the rock, avoid any instances of sudden rockfall in case an earthquake occurs, as the Morros are part of a fault line. This is a beautiful natural setting to enjoy with family and loved ones. read more

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Great place for a seaside stroll and some wild life watching. There rock is the highlight, off to one side of the rock is the beach area where you can watch a lot of surfers. However the beach itself is not your ideal beach for spending a whole day it. It's really windy. We saw beach umbrellas blowing over in just the few minutes we were on the beach to check it out. If you are looking for a non-crowded beach with free parking then this is the spot but for a really pretty beach, I recommend driving down to Avila beach. On the other side of the rock is the walking path along the water with benches to watch the sailboats enter the harbor and where you can spot some sea otters. You can walk the path to the end of Morro rock and it dead ends into a rock wall that you will see people fishing off of. It's a great way to get up close to the rock to check it out. read more

Morro Rock and its surroundings are an absolute marvel of nature. This iconic monolith, rising dramatically from the Pacific Ocean along the California coast, is a sight to behold. Its sheer size and rugged beauty make it an irresistible attraction for nature enthusiasts and photographers alike. As you approach Morro Rock, you're greeted by the soothing sound of crashing waves and the salty ocean breeze. The entire area is a haven for wildlife, and you might spot seals, sea otters, and a variety of bird species in their natural habitat. Watching the sunset behind Morro Rock is a breathtaking experience, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. The nearby town of Morro Bay complements the beauty of the rock with its charming waterfront, seafood restaurants, and welcoming community. Whether you're strolling along the Embarcadero, indulging in fresh seafood, or simply enjoying the tranquility of the bay, Morro Bay's surroundings offer a perfect blend of natural wonders and coastal charm. Morro Rock and its surroundings are not just a destination; they're a captivating experience that leaves you with a deep appreciation for the splendors of the natural world. It's a place that beckons you to return, to witness its ever-changing beauty and find solace in the harmony of land, sea, and sky. Free parking and dogs allowed read more

Morro Bay Rock - The bay or morro - Beaches Near Me - Morro Bay, California

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Morro Rock is the most prominent feature you see when arriving at this comfy Central Coast Town. Once you're settled at the place you're staying and you unpacked and changed into comfy clothes, I recommend a visit out to the Rock and pay homage. You can't help but start to relax as you walk along the coast and feel the cool air and soak up the environment. If you're lucky, you'll see Bay otters playing in the water. Seabirds will be flying overhead and standing along the rocks. Fresh clean sea air will be filling your lungs. I invite you to explore the nooks and crannies and and walk around the perimeter of the rock. And once you're done perhaps you have worked up enough of an appetite to go seek out one of many seafood eateries in the nearby embarcadero. read more

Morro Bay Rock - View of the rock from inside the estuary - Beaches Near Me - Morro Bay, California

Great adventure for the family, great food and people. It's our favorite get away location

Loved the simpleness of just sitting and watching the sea otter swim and play. Boats coming in and going out. People just relaxing and chatting. A welcomed respite. read more

Nice spot to walk around and admire this leftover cone from a former volcano that eroded away loooong time ago. There are restaurants nearby, and plenty of places to park. read more

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Such a beautiful place to visit when it is a nice beautiful day in SLO. My bf and I have experienced coming here twice, once when it was a very cold foggy day and once when it was perfectly sunny with clear blue skies. It is pretty cool experiencing both. I honestly love going here as well as Morro Bay Rock very much has significant history within Filipino culture as it is where first Filipinos had landed on October 18th, 1587. It is lovely to see a a dedicated plaque which was made in 1995. There's just something nice about being able to visit a place that you hear so much about in your classes and being able to see it in person is amazing. There is a lot of parking, a lot of cute shops, several restaurants, and what seems to be a lot of accessibility to do recreational activities on the water as well. read more

Morro Bay Rock - there she is - Beaches Near Me - Morro Bay, California

Morro bay... more like morro YAY! this park is an absolute treat, the view is insane, the parking is plentiful and you get to interact with sea squirrels and watch otters chill on their backs. Amazing vibes! GF option: "Pretty good" read more

Morro Bay Rock - me #posted - Beaches Near Me - Morro Bay, California

Morro Bay Rock can be seen for miles--it is huge!!! I sure wouldn't want to be next to it if there is an earthquake and a piece high up falls off. Morro Rock is like a magnet drawing people (hikers, bicyclists, bird watchers, fishermen/women, dog walkers, tourists, indigenous folk having meetings, sun worshipers, kayakers, surfers, sailors, stone stackers, and kids of all ages. It looks so strong standing there in all of its majesty!!! It must be a sacred spot for the ancient ones. We saw sea otters swimming on their backs, and jumping out of the water; along with seals barking. Fifty years ago, when the nearby power plant was in full operation and heating the surrounding sea, I heard you had to be careful not to step on the rays. A large variety of birds perch on the Rock, and use the surrounding air space. It is quite the adventure to go go there! You never quite know who or what you might see! read more

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Morro Bay Rock! Impressive sight to behold. It's age is anywhere from 22-27 million years old. It's a volcanic plug. A volcanic plug is created when magma cools near a volcanic vent in an active volcano. The rock is 580 feet tall and a part of the 9 sisters volcano arc. Morro Rock is California Historical landmark #821 and dedicated in January 1968. It got its name from explorer Juan Cabrillo in 1552. Morro in Spanish means domed rock. The indigenous Native Americans revered the rock and held religious ceremonies there. Plus the rock is now a protected nesting area for peregrine falcons. They are the fastest birds around with an ability to fly 200 mph. Pretty nifty. Other birds make their home here as well. Climbing the rock is prohibited. If the law doesn't deter you... the nesting birds and their aggressive protected manner and the stench of their accumulated fresh gauno will. Stinky indeed. But there were a variety of birds there. With my binoculars I eyed the birds from the parking lot. I haven't sighted a falcon yet. But I'm sure they are there, it's a big rock. Lots of nocks and crannies. The lot saddles right up the the side of the rock to the nesting area. Can you imagine the rock used to bigger?! Quarrying of the rock was allowed from the 1880s to the 1960s. The breakwaters in Port Harford and other local spots were made from Morro Rock. To the right of the rock is the beach and to the left is the harbor. There is a big ole parking lot on the side of the rock. Big enough for RVs and travel trailers. Free parking and access to the area. There is a walking trail on the harbor side with benches. The last time I was there there were several sea otters dining and chattering away on the harbor side. It was quite entertaining. The trail connects all the way back through to Main Street. #MorroRockCALandmark #MorroRockPerigrineFalcons read more

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This is a historic landmark in the little town of Morrow Bay. I was told by a local that the entire rock isn't always visible. You sometimes get the hazy clouds that cover the top of the rock. If your in town and you can see the entire rock, your in luck. The top of the rock is considered to be a sacred site to the Chumash tribe, so if anyone tries to climb it, they will be arrested and fined. Honestly I don't see why anyone would want to, being that it's mostly rocky and very steep. If you climb it and get down on your own it's a $5k fine. If you climb it and need the fire department to get down it's $10k fine. If you need a helicopter to get you down it's a $15k fine. It's cheaper to go to Vegas and get a helicopter ride there lol. If you walk to the South Side of the rock there is a small private beach that you and your family can hangout at. Warning though as you have to find the right location (between rocks) to climb down to the sandy beach, but once your there it's so peaceful!! Also on this side of the rock you can explore the "rock stack" museum which is made up of a bunch of rocks strategically topped on top of each other by locals and tourist. It really is a neat thing to see, but please respect the creations as any sudden move will tumble down the stack of rocks. I witnessed a beautiful stack of rocks fall to the ground as one tourist got waayyyyy to close for a picture causing it to fall. Aside from that you will also see a few sea otters and squirrels chilling by the shore which makes for an exciting time with the kids. read more

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Good place to get out of the car and stretch your legs if you are driving down highway 1 from the Bay Area. It was not crowded when we got there's. It was a weekday evening around 5pm. At the end of this trail facing the Pacific Ocean is where the stacked rocks. This place is not far diem the freeway. Maybe a 15 minute detour from our planned route. We didn't see any public restrooms available in this park. At least we did not look for one. read more

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Morro Rock Natural Preserve is one of two parts of Morro Bay State Park. This part of the park is just the massive sea stack (actually, an ancient volcanic plug) with a causeway that's been built so you walk right up to the rock. Walking up to the rock, there's a very nice biking and walking trail, informational placards, a bathroom, playground, and a road that leads to a parking lot for beach access. There are a number of benches to sit and watch the sea otters along the causeway and closer to the rock. This is the only place I've ever seen sea otters in their habitat. These animals are critically endangered, but they share Morro Bay with an active marina and fishing boats. This was the real highlight of Morro Rock and my visit to Morro Bay. The sea otters are abundant, happy, and playful. You could watch them for hours! read more

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If you haven't been to Morro Bay, GO! If you haven't been to the Morro Bay Rock, GO! It is 100% worth it. Morro bays weather is always cooler than surrounding towns. Although it can be dreary some days it's still work the visit. The rock is amazing and you get to see different types of wildlife down by the bay. P.s. if you're already going to go then stop at a store to get some salt water taffy....mmmm.... read more

Morro Bay Rock - Beaches Near Me - Morro Bay, California

When you come into Morro Bay, you can't avoid the rock. No matter where you are in town it's what you see and you can't take any picture of the rock without it being a perfect photo. Sunset is the best time to shoot the rock because there's usually a sailboat in front of it and it's the most picturesque thing. The rock is easy enough to get to- just follow the shore past the towers and the best thing about it is that there is no admission fee- just roll into the parking lot, take pictures of the rock squirrels and if you're lucky, you'll be close enough to see otters holding hands as they drift on the water. If they aren't there, follow the rim of the bay and see where all the tourists are standing because that's where the otters are. The otters are adorable as you can imagine, rubbing their cheeks, holding hands, moms holding their babies on their tummies. They're not afraid of the crowds because who would dare mess with them. When we were at the gathering spot for the otters, there was a TV crew shooting to the left of them. The crew was very protective of the shot they were shooting but they relaxed once they realized that we tourists couldn't have cared less about what they were doing since the otters were stealing focus. I'm not the type who is crazy about cute animals but honestly, watching them is mesmerizing and will turn you into a child. read more

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Really loved this place. Has free parking everywhere. A really calm beach town. Go whale watching don't spend crazy in food it's not worth it. But whale watching and kayaking is a must read more

Morro Bay Rock - Beaches Near Me - Morro Bay, California

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Beautiful beach to picnic, surf, chill, or go for a swim. The waves are sometimes sneaky and rogue waves often come up high so don't sit too close to the surf if you cant move all your gear in a jiffy. Highly recommend picking up some seafood at Giovanni's and eat on the beach. Watch out for pesky gulls that will snatch your food at every opportunity. If you don't mind going for a short walk, definitely check out Cairn Park on the other side of the rock and keep your eyes peeled for groups of otters floating in the bay. read more

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Amazing place to stop by to take in some fresh air and glimpses of California's nature. Here's some of what you can expect to find: Many restaurants to choose from for your seafood fix. People casually strolling alone, with friends, and with their cute dogs. A ton of free parking. Cute sea otters chilling in the water enjoying their best life. Definitely worth a stop! read more

Morro Bay Rock - Beaches Near Me - Morro Bay, California

So much to see in this neighborhood. This is a hop skip and a jump away from the Madonna Inn. Might as well see everything. I feel like this can easily make the list of one of the wonders of the world. Water surrounded a big rock. It's cool. Get close to the water and you'll soon become friends with hundreds of squirrels. Be prepared with snacks they are not scared of you. They will jump on your lap on your back. It's so much fun making four-legged friends. Makes me feel like snow white ! Follow the path and it will lead you to a really cool surf spot. Kids and adults surfing . They are all just there to catching some gnarly waves bro . It's totally tubular ! Pass the surf spot and you'll run into an area where people get rocks and pile them on top of each other . I like it. There's a basketball court a bunch of cool restaurants that you can eat by the dock where they're playing really chill music. It was a great experience and a perfect place to see the sunset. 5Star read more

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Home sweet home. I have to admit, I really miss Morro Bay and the great weather. Every time I come home and see Morro Rock it always brings back great memories of home, family, and friends read more

Morro Bay Rock - Beaches Near Me - Morro Bay, California

Beautiful State Park. Lots of free parking, super easy beach access , surfing, kite surfing diving boogie boarding , lots of otters & seals on the harbor side and the ground squirrels are fun to watch too! Never ending possibilities here . The estuary side of the park is very peaceful , looking forward to the actual park re-opening read more

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Very peaceful beach with great views. Its a bit far from the southbay but, its worth going to. I went and took highway 1 and its amazing coastal views. However, if you take this route it does take longer than taking 101 freeway. Once i arrived at the beach i was stunt on how pretty this state park is. The morro rock its breathtaking on how big and beautiful it is. You can explore its surrounding and can knowledge yourself on this historic beauty. As for the beach its a lovely beach. You can find sand dollars all over the beach and if you're lucky some beautiful seashells. Would highly recommend coming to this beach its very peaceful and not overcrowded. read more

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When driving up to Morro Bay Rock it looks so amazing. I love coming here and walking around. Lots of surfers, and people just chilling by the water. You can see the sea otters swimming around. They are really fun to watch. I saw lots of people with dogs on leashes. There is also a bathroom that comes in handy after walking around the rock and down on the beach. I think this is a must do when visiting Morro Bay. Pictures definitely come out better from a distance. Some nice restaurants in Morro that you can sit outside and look at the rock. It looks beautiful. We did see a couple people fishing on the South side if the rock. They looked like they were fighting with massive amounts of kelp. Didn't look like a good place to fish. read more

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A small town with many splendor. Morro Bay is a coastal city in California. It's known for Morro Rock, an ancient volcanic mound at the end of Morro Rock Beach. Morro Rock is a volcanic plug in Morro Bay, California, on the Pacific Coast at the entrance to Morro Bay harbor. It's a causeway connects it with the shore, making it a tied island. The rock sits within Morro Bay State Park, home to lagoons, trails, sea otters and a bird-rich saltwater marsh. It has many public parking lots so you can enjoy the scenery this town has to offer including the Morro Rock. I have been here a few times including today. There is something about this volcanic rock where I sense and feel it's raw energy and power. I come to this town to get away from LA life and replenish my soul or clear my head. ;p Anyway, it's time to conclude this short but meaningful review. Overall, I enjoyed my time here and you will too. I highly recommend to stop by and see this amazing giant rock. read more

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A little foggy today, this interesting landmark didn't really do much for me (because of the fog and diminished visibility). Located in a sleepy town it kind of looked like a movie set. It wouldn't surprise me if this town - or parts of it - were in a movie sometime. Lots of character I'd probably return if in the area to hope for a better look. read more

Morro Bay Rock - Ominous - Beaches Near Me - Morro Bay, California

Nice place a bit over rated. Very crowed with tourist. A lot of surfers and people. Large parking lot near hotels and restaurants. Like a small finishing village. read more

Morro Bay Rock - Beaches Near Me - Morro Bay, California

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Amazing work of nature. The rock is impressive and makes for good moments with nature and for photos. Ample parking at the site.

Beautiful beach with an impressive rock formation and tons of driftwood that folks took the liberty of building fun structures with. You can find plenty of seashells and sand dollars along the shore as well. read more

Beautiful place on both sides of the rock either the calmness of the bay or the crashing waves of the beach. In 2020 I loved to come to the jetty and stack some prayer rocks what a beautiful site thousands of prayers and blessings!! read more

Morro Bay Rock - The bay on a calm night - Beaches Near Me - Morro Bay, California

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We decided to pull over to view the rock on a whim and it was well worth it. We pulled off on Atascadero and then parked to walk on the first path we saw headed to the beach. We walked through the dunes and saw beautiful purple and pink flowers. This was a great stop. The beach was beautiful, the waves were crashing, and it was not crowded. There is more parking closer to the rock. We did not check it out but we enjoyed our view. Dogs must be leashed. We were lucky and spotted a Peregrine Falcon. read more

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Seriously come here if you want to see a volcanic plug and passing through the Central Coast. It is free to see and you can even park right next to it! Morro Rock is huge! On a foggy day, it actually looks like a volcano. read more

Morro Bay Rock - Morro Rock on a cloudy day - Beaches Near Me - Morro Bay, California

On a Saturday morning in July, we arrived at 8:30am to see morro rock but it was foggy. Free parking and only see surfers at the beach. The rock is huge in size and see flock of seagulls flying around the rock. We couldn't go other side of the rock since it was close. We left after staying at the rock for 30min. It got too chilly. read more

Able to park right on the water with a great view of Morro rock and the town. This area is full of so many squirrels that are super friendly and walk right up to you in hopes to get some snacks. We also saw a pack of otters cleaning themselves. So cute and such a nice spot to relax and watch all the animals. read more

Morro Bay Rock - Friendly squirrels of Morro baby - Beaches Near Me - Morro Bay, California

How does one write a review for a rock?! It's a rock. But what a magnificent rock it is! People come from all over to gaze at Morro Rock. You can see it from afar, all the way from Cayucos. You can get great pics of Morro Rock at Tidelands Park, at the end of the road after you drive past the shops. You can also get some great views from the many restaurants along the Embarcadero. You can drive out by the rock and there's a beach area, too. It's probably the most photographed and recognizable rock around! read more

Morro Bay Rock - Too foggy to even see that rock - Beaches Near Me - Morro Bay, California