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What Do People Know Morro Bay For?

Landscape view of Morro Bay
Jenn Tolson
Jenn Tolson
April 10, 2020

Morro Bay is a small city in California located right on the coast of the Pacific Ocean. It's a popular place to stay among guests traveling to San Luis Obispo County, who want to stay close to the water but avoid some of the crowds at the same time. With around 10,000 residents, this city has the small-town atmosphere that you want but is also home to some fantastic attractions. If you want to know what Morro Bay is known for, you'll want to check out these points of interest.

Morro Rock

Morro Rock

One of the top attractions in Morro Bay is the Morro Rock, which is a volcanic plug that rises more than 500 feet above the top of the ocean. Locals used it as a quarry for more than 70 years and took materials from the rock for use in construction projects around the city. It became a National Landmark and a tourist attraction in the late 1960s. You'll find multiple parking lots nearby and trails that wrap around the base of the rock. If you want to get even closer, you can request a permit to climb to the top. This allows you to see some of the peregrine falcons that nest there.

Morro Bay State Park

When you ask locals, what is Morro Bay known for, they will often point to the state park of the same name. This park has an extensive golf course of the same name and dozens of trails for mountain biking and hiking. The Museum of Natural History is on-site. It lets you learn about the animals that once lived there and those who still do. Not far away is a marina where you can either store your boat or rent one for the day. While kayaking is a popular activity, you may want to rent a different type of boat to hit the water with friends.

Native Animals

Pelican in the water

Some people visit Morro Bay every year to view the birds and other native wildlife that live in the area. In the area around Blue Sail Inn, you'll find falcons and different types of birds as well as marine animals. Montana de Oro State Park is one of the best places to see wildlife because this park covers more than 8,000 acres. Los Osos Oaks State Natural Reserve is home to just as many animals and nearly as much space too.

Fishing Town

When most people ask, what is Morro Bay known for, they learn that it was and is a fishing town. Thanks to local companies, you can charter a fishing boat and spend an entire day deep-sea fishing. If you want to stay closer to the shore, you can stick to some of the piers in Morro Bay and spend as much time as you want on the beach. Halibut and rockfish are just some of the fish you might catch, and you can even try farming some oysters too. If you love fishing or other fun activities in and around a beach, Morro Bay is the best place to visit.

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