Morro Bay: Itinerary of Things to do With Kids Around Morro Rock

Morro Bay is a coastal town located in Central California with beaches, a bay, and it’s prominent feature – Morro Rock, a large volcanic rock. There are a lot of family-friendly activities to do, like playing at the beach, running through sand dunes, hiking, walking on the waterfront, visiting museums, and going kayaking or paddle boarding. Here are a few things to do with kids in Morro Bay:

  1. Morro Rock
  2. Morro Rock Beach
  3. Waterfront / Embarcadero Street
  4. Morro Bay Water Activities
  5. Morro Bay Maritime Museum
  6. Morro Bay Museum of Natural History
  7. El Moro Elfin Forest

Why Morro Bay

If you’re thinking of a short getaway with your family, here’s why Morro Bay is a great destination for kids.

  1. Morro Rock is such a large and unique feature that kids will love seeing it and getting close.
  2. From beaches to forest, there’s a lot of natural environments for the family to be outdoors in nature.
  3. There are 2 museums – one free and one very inexpensive, that are great educational stops.
  4. The harbor, bay, and ocean offer a lot of water activities which kids love.
  5. The whole town is small, so you can easily swing back to your hotel in the middle of the day if you or the kids need a break.

Places to Visit in Morro Bay

1. Morro Rock

Morro Rock is a the most prominent feature of Morro Bay – it’s a towering 576-foot rock that can be seen from all over town. It’s a volcanic plug formed about 23 million years ago as part of the Nine Sisters, a series of volcanic peaks that stretch inland from Morro Bay to San Luis Obispo. It’s protected as a California State Historic Landmark and a vital habitat for endangered species like the peregrine falcon.

Climbing the rock is prohibited, but there is a walking path that goes halfway around the rock. You can get up close to the rock as well as great views of the bay and ocean.

Parking: Free parking lot Cost: Free to visit

2. Morro Rock Beach

Just north of Morro Rock is Morro Rock Beach, a nice place to relax and play with a great view. However, the water is cold year-round. Behind the beach are sand dunes to run through.

Parking: Free parking lots at south and north end of the beach.

3. Waterfront / Embarcadero St

Along the bay is a nice waterfront. Embarcadero Street, which runs along the waterfront, has lots of shops and restaurants on the water with great views of the bay and Morro Rock. There are also places to walk down to the docks and piers.

Parking: Street parking and parking lots available, though it gets busy.

4. Morro Bay Water Activities

There are fun water activities to do in the bay and harbor, including boat tours, kayaking, and paddle boarding. Here are a few options:

Boat Tours:

Kayak & Paddle Board Rentals

5. Morro Bay Maritime Museum

The Morro Bay Maritime Museum is a small, fascinating museum located near the waterfront in Morro Bay, dedicated to preserving and showcasing the region’s maritime history. The museum features historic boats and submarines, and artifacts from the fishing and naval industries.

Address: 1210 Embarcadero, Morro Bay, CA 93442 Parking: Free parking lot Cost: Free to visit Hours: Thursday – Monday, 10am – 3pm

6. Morro Bay Museum of Natural History

The Morro Bay Museum of Natural History, located inside of Morro Bay State Park, has engaging and educational exhibits focused on the natural environment of California’s central coast. The museum provides interactive exhibits and displays that cover topics like the region’s geology, ecology, and marine life, as well as its indigenous history. Visitors can learn about local wildlife, including sea otters and birds, and explore hands-on activities that emphasize conservation. The museum is family-friendly, offering programs like guided nature walks and educational workshops.

Address: 20 State Park Rd, Morro Bay, CA 93442 Parking: Free parking lot Cost: $3 per adult, children under 18 are free Hours: Daily 10am-5pm

7. El Moro Elfin Forest

The El Moro Elfin Forest is a unique natural area located along the southern edge of Morro Bay in the town of Los Osos. Spanning over 90 acres, the forest is named for its “elfin” appearance—dwarf trees, primarily coast live oaks, which have adapted to the harsh coastal conditions, growing only 4 to 20 feet tall. You can explore the forest via a mile-long boardwalk that around the forest through the different ecosystems.

Parking: There is limited parking at the dead ends of multiple streets: 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, and 17th streets. Each street end has a path that goes to the main loop trail. Cost: Free to visit

Hotels in Morro Bay

If you’re visiting Morro Bay from out of town, here are a few hotel suggestions that are kid-friendly – they amenities for children and have either complimentary breakfast or a restaurant on site for convenience.

Budget Hotels

Standard Hotels

Luxury Hotels

Tips When Visiting

Here are some tips for visiting Morro Bay to get the most out of your experience.

  • It’s cold, even in the summer. Be sure to bring proper clothing and layers.
  • Because the town is small, you can see and do almost everything in 1-2 days if you plan accordingly.
  • Extend your trip by visiting other popular towns in the area, such as San Luis Obispo, San Marcos, and Cambria.

Video of Morro Bay

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