Morro Bay Area
The trip between Paso Robles & Morro Bay was beautiful – and Morro Bay State Park was a great place to stay… and it has water & electric hookups (in the site we were in), always a plus when RVing!
We took a day trip up to Hearst Castle, and the cute little towns between…San Simeon, Cayucos, Cambria, and of course a couple of more wine tasting stops.
We also stopped at Morro Strand State Beach and found a campground with full
hook-ups (need to remember this one for our next trip). It is more like a parking lot, but you can’t beat the beach access. We found a LOT of whole sand dollars on this beach.
We didn’t plan ahead and make reservations for a tour of Hearst Castle, and as it was a beautiful sunny day, they were pretty much booked by the time we got there. But we did wander the visitor’s center and learned a lot about it. You cannot get close to Hearst Castle without taking
a tour. This photo was the best we could do. Next time we are down there we will definitely book a tour. It surprised us to find Zebra’s out in the pasture with the other animals. Quite the ornate castle – just seeing the pictures and few pieces in the Visitors Center.
Our next stop was Hearst Ranch Winery.
John ate fries while I tasted wine (fries can make a good palate cleanser also … FYI). It was a difficult choice as there were some good wines, but I selected the 2013 Cabernet Franc “Lone Tree”.
We then wandered back down the coast and stopped at Harmony Cellars, a recommendation from my friend Leigh. Also hard to choose, but I selected the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon.
Then it was definitely time to eat! And I am always in the mood for clam chowder when on the coast, so Yelp helped me find Duckie’s Chowder House in Cayucos. We shared chowder & fish & chips … good!
I have to mention this place, although we missed the turn-off while up there. We picked up a jar of Ollieberry Preserves from Linn’s of Cambria when we were in a local grocery store, and it was delicious! I LOVE Olallieberry jam. I’m so sad we didn’t make it to their restaurant and gift store. Another to do for our next trip down there.
About Morro Bay
Morro Bay – a quaint coastal town located on the Central Coast between Cambria and Los Osos. The area is named after a five-story sandstone rock that juts out into the sea, known as the “the Rock” or “Morro Rock”. Morro Bay is home to some of the best beaches and outdoor activities in California and serves as a popular tourist destination for eco-tourism, nature walks, kayaking, bird watching, whale watching, and much more!
Spend your days beachcombing and tide pooling at one of Morro Bay’s many popular beaches such as Anchor Beach, Coleman Beach, and Atascadero Beach – all of which offer great views of Morro Rock from their sandy shores. If you’d rather get out onto the water – rent a kayak or standup paddleboard for an exciting adventure out on the tranquil bay waters. Be sure not to miss out on visiting the picturesque Marine Museum situated right next to the Embarcadero – here you can learn about various marine species in addition to exploring historic artifacts from early life in
Morro Bay.
For those looking for some family fun – take a trip down Main Street where there are dozens of shops filled with locally made souvenirs like art, candles, jewelry, and handcrafted woodwork. Wander around town admiring antiques or head over to one of Morro Bay’s renowned fish markets that serve up freshly caught seafood delivered daily by local fishermen. Or take time to explore nature while walking along parts of the Bob Jones Trail that runs around both sides of Morro Rock – here you may catch glimpses of local wildlife such as sea otters playing in pristine estuaries or ospreys nesting on nearby cliffs.
It’s no surprise that with so much natural beauty surrounding it, Morro Bay also serves up some fantastic culinary experiences too! Don’t miss out on grabbing breakfast at one of the quaint cafes before heading down to Tognazzini’s Fish Market – said to be among one of California’s best crab stands located right next door. End your foodie tour at one of the delightful restaurants where they serve up delicious seafood dishes alongside excellent craft beers from across California– perfect for winding down after an exciting day in beautiful downtown Morro Bay!
No visit is complete without taking advantage of one (or more) of the many outdoor activities available here in town such as golfing or hiking up Black Hill where spectacular views await atop its 616-foot summit overlooking verdant wetlands below; then venture further around Montaña de Oro State Park filled with colorful wildflowers and spectacular shorelines ideal for surfing and ocean exploration! And whatever you choose to do during your visit make sure to leave with plenty of memories of wonderful times spent in this charming beachside town!
