Morro Rock — Local services in Morro Bay

There are so many things to see, at Morro Rock. For years, we've been driving up to the Central Coast, and casually glancing at this monstrosity of nature, but little more than that, before 1/22/23.

My wife & I were sitting on a bench, at a Cambria beach the day prior, admiring the waves, crashing into this rocky shoreline. 2 soft-spoken & very kind ladies, walking a dog, approached us.

They asked us where we were from, & we told them Oceanside, CA. This began an interesting discussion about Cambria, & all the amazing sights to see along California's Central Coast. I told them I'd never been able to get any up-close-and-personal pics of the sea otters, which I think are so cute! They told me, if I wanted to view sea otters up close, I should go to Morro Rock...and the rest is history.

Just 1 day later, we pulled into a large gravel parking lot, & parked on the northern side of the mammoth rock, & used the restrooms there. It's worth noting, there's no charge to enter, or park at Morro Rock. What a novel concept, in this day & age!

After this, I took a few panoramas of Morro Rock, then walked out to the ocean side, where some large waves were crashing into the jetty boundary rocks, creating long graceful sea spray fans.

I took some photos of a few brave surfers, who were out there in frigid water, battling these waves. After standing there awhile, I noticed the truly large waves, were a rarity, & remarked about it to my wife. A guy in his car said, "Wait another 16 minutes, & there'll be another one," then laughed. I wasn't counting, but it took a long time for the next 1 to appear.

During the gaps between big waves, I took the opportunity to photograph a Pacific Loon offshore, at the outer range of my camera's capabilities.

We then re-parked our car on the southern end, in "The Rock's" dirt parking lot, & began walking a paved trail, which circles Morro Rock.

My wife spotted a sea otter, about midway out in the protected channel, bobbing with the tidal action. We thought there was a smaller one with it, but from that distance, it was hard to tell. There were also lots of sea birds floating atop the blue-green water.

We continued on the trail, which winds around the base of this humongous rock sentinel. Up high now, nearly midway up Morro Rock, I spotted a Great Blue Heron. It's shaggy neck plumage was whipping about, in the strong gusty winds. Seconds later, an Osprey rose over the massive rock's pinnacle, & headed our way. I took several pics, knowing they wouldn't be great, but a photographer's gotta try, right?

We made it to the end of the paved trail, where a dirt trail takes over. I noticed that larger waves on the ocean-side of the protective jetty, were creating some impressive white fan bursts of water, upon impact. I shot some pics of this phenomenon, then we headed back to the car.

Nearly back to our vehicle, I spied a Red-Tailed Hawk, which was hovering in place, right over the peak of Morro Rock. This is a rarity, & a sure sign that it's super windy, up there.

While walking forward, fully-focused on this bird of prey, I shuffled into a large pothole, where the paved trail had transitioned, unbeknownst to me, into the more worn-out roadway. I wiped out, crashing to the ground. Luckily, I avoided serious injury. I was able to break my fall with both hands. A sprained wrist & road rash, were my reward for not paying attention.

Just as I was assessing my physical state, my wife spotted a sea otter mother & her adorable baby, not 40 ft. from shore, & yelled out to me.

I hurried over & began taking pics & video. I then re-positioned, in front of a group of people, who were equally enthralled with this small otter family

As luck would have it, the mother sea otter swam up close, toward me, pulling it's baby through the water, with one paw. I got my best pics & video of the cute pair, right then. They were no more than 20 feet away!

This ends my marathon review. Hope you enjoyed it.

If I hadn't fallen on the beat-up black-top, I'd have given Morro...

Very beautiful place to visit . Lots of delicious restaurants and stores nearby . So Morro Bay's history spans from ancient indigenous settlements to a thriving coastal town. Initially inhabited by the Chumash and Salinan peoples, the area later saw European exploration and settlement, with Franklin Riley founding the town in 1870 as a trading port. The iconic Morro Rock, a volcanic plug, has played a significant role, even being mined for Port Construction.The Spanish Portolá expedition camped near Morro Bay in 1769, with Father Juan Crespí noting the distinctive "morro" (round rock). Later, Portuguese explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo named the landmark "El Morro". Franklin Riley is credited with founding the town in 1870, establishing it as a port for exporting dairy and ranch products. He also played a key role in building the Embarcadero. Morro Rock,The 576-foot volcanic plug, Morro Rock, has been a prominent feature throughout Morro Bay's history. It was mined for harbor construction and was once separated from the mainland, with the north channel later closed by dumped rock. The rock is now a California Registered Historical Landmark and a bird sanctuary. A U.S. Navy base, Amphibious Training Base Morro Bay, was established on the north side of Morro Rock during World War II. The city incorporated in 1964 and has become a popular tourist destination known for its natural beauty, harbor, and iconic Morro Rock. The Pacific Gas and Electric Company's power plant, nicknamed "Three Stacks and a Rock," also played a role in the town's...

🌊🦦 Review: Morro Bay – Coastal Charm with a Wild Heart 🐚🌅

💖 Where the ocean whispers and the otters wave. Morro Bay isn’t just a destination it’s a mood. A salty breeze, a sleepy harbor, and a giant rock that watches over it all like a gentle guardian. 🪨🌬️

📸 Scenic Magic: Morro Rock steals the show majestic, mysterious, and photogenic from every angle. Sunsets here? Pure watercolor dreams. Think pink skies, golden reflections, and silhouettes of seabirds in flight. 🎨🕊️

🛶 Adventure & Chill: Kayak through glassy waters, spot sea lions and otters doing their thing. Or just stroll the Embarcadero, nibbling clam chowder and browsing quirky shops. 🐾🍲🛍️

🌿 Wildlife Wonderland: Otters twirl in kelp beds, pelicans dive like daredevils, and herons strike elegant poses. It’s like a nature documentary only you’re in it. 🦦📽️🪶

🍽️ Local Flavor: Fresh seafood, cozy cafés, and oceanfront dining that makes every bite taste like vacation. Bonus: the locals are as warm as the chowder. 🐟☕😊

🧘 Vibe Check: Peaceful, playful, and perfect for unplugging. Whether you're solo, with family, or on a romantic escape, Morro Bay wraps you in coastal calm. 🌙💑👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

🌟 Final Splash: Morro Bay is a love letter to the California coast written in waves, wildlife, and wonder. If you’re lucky, you’ll leave with sand in your shoes and a sea otter in your...