Where To Stay In Morro Bay California For Sightseeing
Mid-Range Hotels:
- On the Morro Bay Embarcadero, the Estero Inn offers one of the best stays in town. This coastal boutique hotel pampers guests with amazing views and spacious suites. Overnight accommodations include a collection of unique waterfront and bay-view suites with carefully curated decor. Some suites have private balconies and fireplaces. And the hotel’s central location makes exploring the rest of Morro Bay easy to do.
- The Morro Crest Inn, five blocks from the Embarcadero, has one of the best rates in town. It’s a small hotel with only 17 non-smoking rooms available and a comfortable home-away-from-home vibe. Quality insulation between the walls separates every room. And every overnight accommodation comes with cable TV, a coffee maker, and free Wi-Fi. Complimentary parking and blackout shades are also available.
On The Beach Bed And Breakfast
This bright and airy three-star hotel is a ten-minute drive from Morro Bay and minutes from Cayucos State Beach.
Although a short drive away, the On the Beach Bed and Breakfast is a beautiful place to stay to explore the best of both Morro Bay and the charming little coastal town of Cayucos. The property is tucked away in a quiet residential neighborhood away from the crowded tourist spots.
Youre sure to fall in love with the beach-style decor, spa bathtub, and private balcony found in each room.
Its possible to walk to the beach from the hotel, and hikers can hit the nearby Cayucos hiking trails like Cass Hill for scenic views. The complimentary breakfast is highly rated by previous guests, as is the rooftop deck and daily social hour.
- Best Bed and Breakfast
Enjoy A Surrey Bike Ride
One of the most fun ways to enjoy the Embarcadero is on a surrey bike. You can rent 2- or 4-person surrey bikes and ride them to Morro Rock, or along the Embarcadero.
The streets leading from the waterfront into the town are uphill, so they are harder to navigate in a surrey, but the Embarcadero is a nice flat stretch.
The surrey rental stores also carry beach kites, if you want to pick up one before you head to Morro Strand State Beach. And they have regular bikes and electric bikes as well. E-bikes are a fun way to explore not only the hilly town, but also the surrounding parks.
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Snap Photos Of The Murals In Town
Love street art? You can see over 20 murals on a walking tour of downtown Morro Bay! The vibrant art showcases the history and culture of Morro Bay, as well as its natural beauty and abundant wildlife.
The colorful murals have been created between 1985 and now. Get a map at the Morro Bay Visitors Center on Harbor Street and do a self-guided tour of the art. The walking tour is about 2.25 miles, and takes about one hour
Embarcadero Inn & Suites
Family-owned and operated, this fashionable boutique hotel overlooks Morro Bay and Morro Rock. Newly remodeled and redesigned with a contemporary flair, this oceanfront hotel features 29 light and breezy guest rooms and four luxurious suites with an abundance of space. Some rooms at the 456 Embarcadero also include fireplaces.
The free continental breakfast at the 456 Embarcadero goes beyond the average hotel spread, and the entire Embarcadero street is lined with great places to find a meal. The guest hot tub at 456 Embarcadero is a popular amenity of the hotel throughout the year, as well as the on-site covered parking.
456 Embarcadero Inn & Suites is a pet-friendly hotel near the beach, and about a quarter of the rooms accommodate canine companions. Many of the rooms at the 456 Embarcadero also include complimentary sunset views.
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Salty Sister Hotel Insider Tips:
Rates start at $400 per night with a 2 night minimum. The Morro Rock boutique hotel was designed with large group gatherings in mind. The hotel suites open up to one another, or may be locked off, as needed. When open, Salty Sister hotel makes a 5,000 square foot beach house with 6 master suites, 2 kitchens with dishes, silverware and cooking utensils. Additionally 2 kitchenettes, game rooms, 2 laundry centers and private deck complete the house.
It should be noted that access to the roof top deck is via suites 2 & 3. Youll want to rent Spinnaker Suite if you want access to the roof top deck for those Morro Rock views at sunset.
If you are looking for Morro Bay things to youll find everything from kayaking and bike riding to where to dine in my Morro Bay blog post. If you dont want to make breakfast while staying at Salty Sister, walk right next door to Frankie and Lolas Front Street Cafe. They have the best cinnamon rolls!
If You Go:
Salty Sister Hotel 900-6000
1170 Front Street
Morro Bay, California 93442
Salty Sister Morro Bay hotel review, all photography and YouTube video by travel writer Nancy D. Brown. I was a guest of Seven Sisters Vacation Rentals, however all opinions are my own.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. At no extra cost to you, I earn a commission on any hotels you may book through my custom links.
For additional insider tips follow luxury travel writer @Nancydbrown on Twitter or and Seven Sisters Vacation Rentals on Instagram.
Hotels In Morro Bay Ca
Estero Inn is a highly-rated boutique waterfront hotel in Morro Bay, located right on the Embarcadero. Suites are elegantly furnished and offer stunning water views from private balconies. Walk to shopping and dining. Book a stay here: Booking.com | Hotels.com
456 Embarcadero Inn & Suites is another boutique hotel that offers rooms with views of Morro Bay. Rooms are spacious and feature comfortable furnishings. The hotel is walking distance to restaurants and shopping along the Embarcadero. Book a stay here: Booking.com | Hotels.com
Inn at Morro Bay is surrounded by woodlands and features views of Morro Bay and the Pacific Ocean. Rooms are spacious and feature comfortable contemporary furnishings. Rooms offer water views. Book a stay here: Booking.com | Hotels.com
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Where Is Morro Bay
Morro Bay is located in Californias Central Coast, on scenic Highway One. Like, literally, the Pacific Coast Highway runs right through town. But if youre on a California road trip, you might just blink and miss it!
Conveniently, Morro Bay is perfectly equidistant from both San Francisco and Los Angeles, smack dab in the center. You can get there in 4 hours from either city, if youre taking the fast way, along Highway 101.
But Highway 1 is so much prettier! If you take Highway One, it will take anywhere from 5-8 hours from either SF or LA, depending on how many times you stop to gawk at the scenery.
Morro Bay makes the perfect stop on any Highway One road trip, along with the rest of the Central Coast we absolutely love the entire area.
- Travel Tip: If youre flying in, the easiest thing to do is rent a car in either Los Angeles or San Francisco! In our opinion, the drive south from the Bay Area is prettier, but in terms of length, Morro Bay is the same distance from either San Francisco or Los Angeles.
Enjoy Craft Beer Or Wine
Love craft beer? Morro Bay has some amazing spots where you can sample craft brews! If wine is more your scene, you can enjoy wine tasting in Morro Bay as well.
Our go-to places:
Three Stacks and a Rock is the only nano brewery in Morro Bay, and hugely popular. Order a flight to sample a variety of their beers. The pub eats make for great accompaniments: we love their house made chips! They also offer wine and cider.
Libertine Brewing Company has several Central Coast locations, including on the Embarcadero in Morro Bay. This is actually their original location! They have several dozen beers on tap, with food and live music. Plus views of the bay and Morro Rock!
Chateau Margene, on the Embarcadero, offers wine tasting with advance reservations. Chateau Margene offers cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc from their estate vineyard, as well as pinot noir and chardonnay.
Absolution Cellars, also located on the Embarcadero, offers tastings from several different Central Coast vineyards. You will enjoy the beautiful art here as well!
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Check Out Morro Rock From A Unique Perspective
To put things into perspective, head up to Montaña de Oro State Park where you can hike atop giant cliffs for panoramic views of Morro Bay and its famous rock.
There are also gorgeous views of Morro Rock from the dunes on the northern side of the rock.
And when you find yourself having trouble pulling away from this beautiful mound of past volcanic activity, consider having dinner at one of the restaurants known for its stellar rock views like Blue Sky Bistro or Harbor Hut.
Stroll Through An Art Gallery
Photo Credit: JacquieWM via Flickr
It only seems right that you pop into a few of the art galleries peppered around considering Morro Bays rich artistic presence and thriving community of local artists.
I mean just look at the 20+ murals that line the streets, with displays dating back to 1982, depicting things like the citys history, culture, natural wonders, and marine life.
There is even a map labeled the Morro Bay Mural Mile so that visitors to Morro Bay can visit each and every mural that has been created with ease.
While you are taking the tour of these vibrant murals, pop into one of the largest art galleries on the Central Coast, Art Center Morro Bay, where you can admire the work of local artists by day and enjoy live music by night .
If you are into funky home decor, you have to check out the Arteffects Gallery with its exquisitely detailed, handmade lampshades, unlike anything youve ever seen before.
But really the list could go on forever. Theres with its fancy jewelry, Fiona Bleu Gallery with its eccentric pieces, Forever Stoked with its nature-based designs, and so much more.
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Where To Eat In Morro Bay
Tognazzinis Dockside Too, on Morro Bays Embarcadero, offers the freshest seafood and outside seating. Its casual dining: you place your order at the counter and wait for your name to be called. Their fish and chips are crisp and delicious, their calamari sweet and tender, and their grilled halibut tacos fresh and flavorful. They have live music too!
Windows on the Water offers fine dining with a view. Although their seafood items are superb, the season-inspired menu has other things on offer, from steak to pizza. Their wine list is extensive, and the views sublime.
The Galley Seafood Grill & Bar is located on the Embarcadero, and their menu, while heavy on seafood, features other items as well. Seasonal ingredients, locally sourced, are presented in well-made preparations. Try the Dungeness Crab Cakes, the Ahi Tuna Poke Bowl, the Fried Prawns, or the Main Lobster Tails.
Frankie and Lolas is a popular cafe, open for breakfast and lunch. Their breakfasts are super hearty, from omelettes to burritos and scrambles: we skipped lunch the day we had breakfast here on a previous visit to Morro Bay. On a recent visit, we had their cheese sandwiches: delicious!
La Parisienne is a bakery just a couple of doors down from Frankie & Lolas. They offer breakfast as well as a ton of pastries and cakes. We loved the chocolate cakes and almond croissant we got: the almond croissant had sliced almonds on top and a marzipan filling. There is usually a long line, but it moves fast.
Masterpiece Hotel A Hotel In Morro Bay On The Beach Near Top Attractions
Ideally located on Main Street in Morro Bay, our Morro Bay hotel is within walking distance to all the best shops, restaurants, and cafés in town. From whale watching to fine dining to hiking to fishing there is much to do in and around Morro Bay. Luckily, were within proximity to top attractions, including the El Moro Elfin Forest, Morro Museum of Natural History, Morro Bay State Park, and Hearst Castle. We cant wait to hear what you get up to in this charming fishermans town.
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Relax On Morro Strand State Beach
Stretching out over 3 miles of stellar beachfront, you cant go wrong with spending some time relaxing on the sandy shores of Morro Strand State Beach.
I usually wait until the very end to mention if camping is available, but the answer is yes and I am just too excited to contain myself about it!
This is not your typical woodsy campground with a dirt campsite. No, this is camping beach-style with sand and waves right outside your door .
Now that I got that out of the way, we can move on to some of the fun ways to spend your time on the beach. The most obvious choice, which also happens to be one of the best choices, is to lay out your towel and soak in the sun.
But the more adventurous soul will be happy to know that the beach is also the perfect destination for classic surfing and kite surfing thanks to the nearly constant wind that sweeps over the strand.
Visit A Museum Or Two
Photo Credit: David Seibold via Flickr
Museums are a great way to pass the time, learn something interesting, pique a new interest, or even keep you entertained on a rainy day, and even the small coastal town of Morro Bay has plenty to offer.
The most popular is the Museum of Natural History, mainly because it is located in the even more popular Morro Bay State Park and boasts a killer view of Morro Bay.
With admission for as little as $3, the museum is affordable for just about any budget and the interactive exhibits are both exciting and informative!
Learn about how your actions, as well the actions of mankind as a whole, have impacted and continue to impact the habitats of the area and what you can do to make a difference.
Check out the bulletin to see what upcoming activities are available for an even more immersive experience with options like nature walks, lectures, and more.
Another fun museum to visit is the Morro Bay Maritime Museum where you can walk amongst a fleet of giants like the 1927 tugboat known as Alma.
It is an amazing experience to get up close and personal with the submarines that played a significant role in life-changing events like the Cold War and World War II.
For something lighter, head over to the Morro Bay Skateboard Museum to see how skateboarding has evolved over the last hundred years or swing by Judys Sewing and Craft Museum to admire antique machines.
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Holland Inn & Suites A Pleasant Hotel In Morro Bay California
Explore the wonders of the Pacific Coast with a stay in Holland Inn & Suites, located in charming Morro Bay CA. This charming city by the sea boasts magnificent wildlife, miles of pristine beaches, and a ginormous 576-foot volcano remnant that attracts visitors near and far. Morro Bays natural charm sets the stage for the many activities we have to offer, such as whale watching tours, downtown shopping, castle explorations, and stunning hiking trails. Our hotel in Morro Bay with ocean views would be honored to host you.
Hotel Avisa A Charming Accommodation In Morro Bay California
Discover your better nature with a stay at Hotel Avisa in Morro Bay, California. Located on the Central Coast between San Francisco and Los Angeles, this fishing village has much to offer its visitors. Enjoy a multitude of outdoor recreational activities from ocean-side golf to sailing to kite flying. The museum and arts scenes are thriving in Morro Bay for you to learn about the area’s culture, history, and scientific significance. Explore the downtown area’s antique and thrift stores to discover hidden treasures. Morro Bay also offers the freshest ocean-to-table cuisine made from locally caught seafood. Book with Hotel Avisa to experience the coastal wonder of Morro Bay.
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Bay View Inn Delightful Guest Rooms And First
A warm welcome awaits you the moment you step foot inside the Bay View Inn. Our family-run inn offers a wide selection of accommodations based in the center of the seaside community of Morro Bay. Each of our guestrooms are pleasantly furnished and clean. Enjoy a flat-screen TV, comfortable bedding, a coffee maker, and more! We also offer several property amenities for your convenience, including free parking, a rooftop terrace, and a lobby lounge.
Where To Stay Near Morro Bay
If you’re a first time visitor to Morro Bay, you mightprefer a more touristy area, but if you’re a solo traveler, a localneighborhood could be more interesting. Some areas have lots of thingsto do within walking distance, but the hotels may be more expensive.To give you a starting point for your trip research, we looked at what people say about neighborhoods and places to stay near Morro Bay.
What are some good hotels near Morro Bay?
Depending on the neighborhood you choose, you may want toresearch hotels in the area. If you’d rather start with themost recommended hotels near Morro Bay, here’s a list toget you started.
Here’s what Trippy members had to say about hotels:
“For lodging in Morro, I’d recommend Anderson Inn and have some really unique beers at The Libertine Pub.” See More
“I recommend the Inn at Morro Bay if you haven’t booked a room yet, and also Dorn’s Original Breakers Cafe or Windows On the Water for a nice water-view dinner.” See More
“There are 2 lovely bayfront B & B’s – Baywood inn 805-528-8888, and Back Bay Inn 805-528-1233.” See More
“Try Shoreline InnSuper relaxing and right next to the beach!” See More
“They have an awesome looking bed and breakfast and it’s called On the Beach Bed & Breakfast.” See More
Want to research more popular hotels near Morro Bay?Click the blue button below.
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