Ruel's Morro Bay Guidebook
Sightseeing
There are many beautiful places and interesting things to see in and around Morro Bay.
Morro Rock is a 5 minute drive or a 45 minute walk from our guesthouse. I like to walk to "The Rock," as the locals call it, and back to our home at least once or twice a week. You will almost always see sea otters, harbor seals, and many shore birds along the way. It is about 3 miles round trip and often there are fishing boats unloading their catch along the harbor.
There are many restaurants and shops along the first part of the walk and boats coming and going out of the harbor on the second part. You can go to the north side of The Rock and watch the surfers catch the excellent waves or enjoy the miles long, sandy beach. If you go to the south side of The Rock you will find the harbor mouth and rock jetty. Be aware of the surf and danger from occasional large waves at times.
142 locals recommend
Morro Rock
Coleman DriveMorro Rock is a 5 minute drive or a 45 minute walk from our guesthouse. I like to walk to "The Rock," as the locals call it, and back to our home at least once or twice a week. You will almost always see sea otters, harbor seals, and many shore birds along the way. It is about 3 miles round trip and often there are fishing boats unloading their catch along the harbor.
There are many restaurants and shops along the first part of the walk and boats coming and going out of the harbor on the second part. You can go to the north side of The Rock and watch the surfers catch the excellent waves or enjoy the miles long, sandy beach. If you go to the south side of The Rock you will find the harbor mouth and rock jetty. Be aware of the surf and danger from occasional large waves at times.
5 minutes drive or 45 minute walk from our guesthouse to the parking lot with great views of the town, the Bay, and a 360° view of the local countryside. There is one challenging part to driving there, an unmarked service road in the middle of Morro Bay Golf course.
If you are coming from our guesthouse go south on Main Street, take the first left right after you enter Morro Bay State Park, go up the hill and as soon as you pass the Golf Course Clubhouse, take the left hand service road up between the golf fairways and follow it up the hill to a parking area. It is about a 10 minute hike to the top and gorgeous views.
If walking, head east on Driftwood then right at "T" onto Piney Way. At next street, take a left onto Anchor Street and then a right at "T" onto Kern Avenue. At next street, take a left onto Pecho Street and then a right at "T" onto Kings Avenue. Take the second left onto Carmel Street and then follow the path at the end of the street into the State Park. Follow the trails on Google maps to the Black Hill Trail to the top of Black Hill.
Black Hill Trail
Upper State Park Road5 minutes drive or 45 minute walk from our guesthouse to the parking lot with great views of the town, the Bay, and a 360° view of the local countryside. There is one challenging part to driving there, an unmarked service road in the middle of Morro Bay Golf course.
If you are coming from our guesthouse go south on Main Street, take the first left right after you enter Morro Bay State Park, go up the hill and as soon as you pass the Golf Course Clubhouse, take the left hand service road up between the golf fairways and follow it up the hill to a parking area. It is about a 10 minute hike to the top and gorgeous views.
If walking, head east on Driftwood then right at "T" onto Piney Way. At next street, take a left onto Anchor Street and then a right at "T" onto Kern Avenue. At next street, take a left onto Pecho Street and then a right at "T" onto Kings Avenue. Take the second left onto Carmel Street and then follow the path at the end of the street into the State Park. Follow the trails on Google maps to the Black Hill Trail to the top of Black Hill.
Tidelands Park is a 10 minute walk from the guesthouse and includes the boat launch ramp, a playground, and the south end of the Embarcadero shoreline walk. There is a public bathroom, grassy areas, and public barbecues and tables.
11 locals recommend
Tidelands Playground
301-351 EmbarcaderoTidelands Park is a 10 minute walk from the guesthouse and includes the boat launch ramp, a playground, and the south end of the Embarcadero shoreline walk. There is a public bathroom, grassy areas, and public barbecues and tables.
This beautiful State Park is only 20 minutes south. You get to it driving one block west to Main Street and follow it south until you enter and drive through Morro Bay State Park. Where it ends, take a right onto South Bay Blvd and follow it for about 3 miles until the stop light at Los Osos Valley Road. Go right and this road winds up into the hills above the ocean at the sout end of Los Osos into Montana de Oro State Park.
341 locals recommend
Montaña de Oro State Park
3550 Pecho Valley RdThis beautiful State Park is only 20 minutes south. You get to it driving one block west to Main Street and follow it south until you enter and drive through Morro Bay State Park. Where it ends, take a right onto South Bay Blvd and follow it for about 3 miles until the stop light at Los Osos Valley Road. Go right and this road winds up into the hills above the ocean at the sout end of Los Osos into Montana de Oro State Park.
Hearst Castle is a 40 minute drive north of Morro Bay on Highway One. To make a day of sights in this same area, the Elephant Seal Rookery is only 10 minutes north of Hearst Castle off of Highway One.
There are several popular tours and you can buy tickets on-line before you get there or see what's available when you arrive.
Across from the entrance road to Hearst Castle is the parking area for San Simeon cove with a pier and sandy beach. There is a nice hike out to San Simeon Point to the west.
327 locals recommend
Hearst Castle
750 Hearst Castle RoadHearst Castle is a 40 minute drive north of Morro Bay on Highway One. To make a day of sights in this same area, the Elephant Seal Rookery is only 10 minutes north of Hearst Castle off of Highway One.
There are several popular tours and you can buy tickets on-line before you get there or see what's available when you arrive.
Across from the entrance road to Hearst Castle is the parking area for San Simeon cove with a pier and sandy beach. There is a nice hike out to San Simeon Point to the west.
This is an amazing natural wonder with these large marine mammals coming right up on the beaches.
151 locals recommend
Elephant Seal Vista Point
This is an amazing natural wonder with these large marine mammals coming right up on the beaches.
Embarcadero
This is a unique waterfront experience about a mile long with Morro Rock at the north and Tidelands Park at the southern end. It is a working waterfront with commercial fishing vessels, kayak, paddleboard, and electric boat rentals, and tour boats and dinner cruises. There are many art galleries, shops and restaurants.
Our guesthouse is two short blocks away from the waterfront about a 2 minute walk
182 locals recommend
Morro Bay
This is a unique waterfront experience about a mile long with Morro Rock at the north and Tidelands Park at the southern end. It is a working waterfront with commercial fishing vessels, kayak, paddleboard, and electric boat rentals, and tour boats and dinner cruises. There are many art galleries, shops and restaurants.
Our guesthouse is two short blocks away from the waterfront about a 2 minute walk
Morro Bay T Pier (Otter Viewing Area)
1185 EmbarcaderoOtter viewing, fishing boats, and Morro Rock and harbor views.
morro bay whale watching morro bay whale watching
699 Embarcadero
Bay Cruisers - Electric Boat Rentals
845 Embarcadero
Rock Kayak Co LLC
845 Embarcadero
Kayak Shack
10 State Park RoadNeighborhood Food Scene
All of these restaurants, about a 3 to 8 minute walk from guesthouse.
Healthy foods, juices, smoothies and friendly people. Just a 2 minute walk away from our guesthouse. Only open until 5 or 6 pm.
23 locals recommend
Sunshine Health Foods
415 Morro Bay BlvdHealthy foods, juices, smoothies and friendly people. Just a 2 minute walk away from our guesthouse. Only open until 5 or 6 pm.
Good, authentic Mexican food that is very reasonably priced with fast service. It is a 5 to 7 minute walk from our guesthouse. A local favorite that is not fine dining but quick, inexpensive, good food. Good place to order a burrito to go. Often a line and fast service where many locals and surfers go for some good, fast food.
19 locals recommend
Taco De Mexico
980 Main StGood, authentic Mexican food that is very reasonably priced with fast service. It is a 5 to 7 minute walk from our guesthouse. A local favorite that is not fine dining but quick, inexpensive, good food. Good place to order a burrito to go. Often a line and fast service where many locals and surfers go for some good, fast food.
Short walk 2 blocks for good Thai food. Has indoor seating or take-out.
11 locals recommend
Thai Elephant Morro Bay
355 Morro Bay BlvdShort walk 2 blocks for good Thai food. Has indoor seating or take-out.
Umi Sushi & Sake
Short walk for reasonably priced and quality sushi.
They have very good food and it is priced higher because of the good quality. Good wine selection and view of the harbor from the second floor. There is an elevator or stairs to access it.
48 locals recommend
Windows On the Water
699 EmbarcaderoThey have very good food and it is priced higher because of the good quality. Good wine selection and view of the harbor from the second floor. There is an elevator or stairs to access it.
Open for breakfast and lunch. Mostly outdoor, bayside dining with a good view of the Rock and the harbor.
21 locals recommend
Blue Sky Bistro
699 EmbarcaderoOpen for breakfast and lunch. Mostly outdoor, bayside dining with a good view of the Rock and the harbor.
La Katrina Authentic Mexican Cocina
Traditional Mexican restaurant with good food, reasonable prices, and large portions.
11 locals recommend
Mi Casa Restaurant
650 Morro Bay BlvdTraditional Mexican restaurant with good food, reasonable prices, and large portions.
Local Coffee Shops
There are at many coffee shops within a 5 minute walk. Scout Coffee is 2 blocks north at the corner of Monterey and Morro Bay Blvd. One half block east on Morro Bay Blvd is Buttercup Bakery. One block west on Morro Bay Blvd is Rudie's Rock Expresso.
To the west directly from the guesthouse, follow Anchor Street two blocks to the Embarcadero, and there is the Big Rock Coffee Shop and Groggy Scallywag Coffee House a couple doors to the south along the water. Finally, Sun-N-Buns Bakery and Expresso Bar is 2 blocks north on the inland side of the Embarcadero.
On Main Street is Top Dog Coffee Bar, which has a nice garden with tables out back and breakfast dishes and sandwiches.
Scout Coffee
Top Dog Coffee Bar
857 Main StJust a short walk north to Morro Bay Blvd and then 1/2 block east. Fresh baked treats daily.
9 locals recommend
Buttercup Bakery and Cafe
430 Morro Bay BlvdJust a short walk north to Morro Bay Blvd and then 1/2 block east. Fresh baked treats daily.
Morro Bay Food scene
Good local restaurants that I recommend and enjoy eating at.
Wonderful California fusion Mexican food with amazing fish tacos and burritos as well as fresh dishes made with local seafood. Located about 10 minutes by car or a mile up Main Street to the north.
Main Street is one block over from Monterey Avenue to the west, then take a right and go north past Highway 41. It is near Spencer's Market.
84 locals recommend
Taco Temple Morro Bay
2680 Main StWonderful California fusion Mexican food with amazing fish tacos and burritos as well as fresh dishes made with local seafood. Located about 10 minutes by car or a mile up Main Street to the north.
Main Street is one block over from Monterey Avenue to the west, then take a right and go north past Highway 41. It is near Spencer's Market.
Good local, fresh-caught seafood at a reasonable price with the fishing boat and captain listed on the menu board so you know who brought in the catch. Often have live music daily in the afternoon at Dickside Two next to the water with a view of Morro Rock.
Best to make a reservation on weekends for inside dining. Can buy fresh fish where you order food at the outside restaurant to bring home to cook.
45 locals recommend
Tognazzini's Dockside Restaurant
1245 EmbarcaderoGood local, fresh-caught seafood at a reasonable price with the fishing boat and captain listed on the menu board so you know who brought in the catch. Often have live music daily in the afternoon at Dickside Two next to the water with a view of Morro Rock.
Best to make a reservation on weekends for inside dining. Can buy fresh fish where you order food at the outside restaurant to bring home to cook.
Umi Sushi & Sake
Short walk of five minutes to the Embarcadero and just north of Anchor Street.
Reasonably priced sushi of reasonable quality and other Japanese menu items.
48 locals recommend
Windows On the Water
699 EmbarcaderoShort walk of five minutes to the Embarcadero and just north of Anchor Street.
Reasonably priced sushi of reasonable quality and other Japanese menu items.
Almost always busy and they don't take reservations. The food is good and you can dine inside or outside with a view of the back bay and boat harbor.
44 locals recommend
Bayside Cafe
10 State Park RdAlmost always busy and they don't take reservations. The food is good and you can dine inside or outside with a view of the back bay and boat harbor.
Things to Do
Great public golf course! Relatively easy to get reservations and price is reasonable, especially after 2 pm.
47 locals recommend
Morro Bay Golf Course
201 State Park RdGreat public golf course! Relatively easy to get reservations and price is reasonable, especially after 2 pm.
The Siren Bar and Grill
900 Main StThe Siren often has good live music and dancing.
This laundry is only 3 short blocks up Monterey Avenue to the north.
Laundromat of Morro Bay. Wash and Fold Service
This laundry is only 3 short blocks up Monterey Avenue to the north.
Throwback older theater with fairly comfortable seats and excellent popcorn. Only $10 per person and $5 on Tuesdays.
31 locals recommend
Bay Theatre
464 Morro Bay BlvdThrowback older theater with fairly comfortable seats and excellent popcorn. Only $10 per person and $5 on Tuesdays.
Farmers Markets
Farmers markets are a great place to buy local produce and food products, as well as other locally produced goods.
This Farmers Market is only a couple minutes walk from my guesthouse, 2 blocks north on Morro Bay Blvd every Saturday afternoon.
6 locals recommend
Morro Bay Saturday Farmers Market
Morro Bay BoulevardThis Farmers Market is only a couple minutes walk from my guesthouse, 2 blocks north on Morro Bay Blvd every Saturday afternoon.
This Farmers Market is every Thursday afternoon about 1 mile north on Main Street, which is 1 block west of my guesthouse.
11 locals recommend
SLO County Farmers Market
2650 Main StThis Farmers Market is every Thursday afternoon about 1 mile north on Main Street, which is 1 block west of my guesthouse.
This is one of the best Regional Farmers Market in the State with good entertainment, food offerings, produce, and other local products.
150 locals recommend
Downtown SLO Farmers' Market
Higuera StreetThis is one of the best Regional Farmers Market in the State with good entertainment, food offerings, produce, and other local products.