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Morro Bay wants to keep you up to date and to inspire. Read on!

Record Number of Monarchs Migrate to Morro Bay Early
09/26/2017

Record Number of Monarchs Migrate to Morro Bay Early

Striking shades of orange are now threading in and out of the eucalyptus groves in Morro Bay State Park, meaning the migration of monarch butterflies has come early this year. With our warmest sunshine out daily, the monarchs readily recreate their homes high in the trees to escape the cold temperatures of their homelands.
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Shuck-Away in Morro Bay: Oyster-Mania
09/19/2017

Shuck-Away in Morro Bay: Oyster-Mania

Aside from guests to city who travel far and near to indulge on our gems of the sea, Morro Bay’s residents celebrate mother nature’s gift to our bay through development of oyster farms, gourmet oyster dishes and annual oyster-eating competitions. Come celebrate our oyster-mania and indulge through one of the local oyster-peddlers:
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Morro Bay Harbor Festival Weekend
09/07/2017

Morro Bay Harbor Festival Weekend

Come out October 6th through October 8th to enjoy one of the most special weekends all year in Morro Bay. This year, the town will be celebrating the 36th annual Harbor Festival - a town-wide celebration of family fun, fresh seafood, contests, live music and more. This year, guests that stay 2 nights in Morro Bay during September and October receive a FREE bottle of MCV Wine (from participating hotels). Make our tradition your tradition, and come out with the entire family to celebrate the beauty of our bay.
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Wishlist-Worthy Fall Festivities
09/05/2017

Wishlist-Worthy Fall Festivities

In our quiet waterfront town, September only means the beginning of the best time of year, with beautiful weather and no crowds. Morro Bay holds the key to all autumn dreams come true: nightly pastel sunsets, warm afternoon sunshine, and some of the most exciting events on the Central Coast.
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Concerts on the Bay
08/29/2017

Concerts on the Bay

Be the first to experience the only concert series with a waterfront venue on the Central Coast. Plan your next weekend getaway to swing and soak in the sun as part of Morro Bay’s first ever Concerts on the Bay. With the photogenic bay and iconic Morro Rock as the backdrop, this performance is set to be a treat for music and outdoor lovers alike. Planned during our “second summer,” it’s the locals’ best kept secret that September and October boast warm sunshine with the most colorful sunsets of the year.
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Wine Month in Morro Bay
08/22/2017

Wine Month in Morro Bay

Our favorite pairing with fresh-caught seafood is a glass of California's Central Coast wine. We want our guests to enjoy this unforgettable experience, and this SEPTEMBER and OCTOBER, we're giving a FREE bottle of wine to hotel guests with 2-night stays!
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Get On The Water!
08/15/2017

Get On The Water!

It’s a no-brainer that you want to go kayaking or paddle boarding when you visit Morro Bay. But, like most of us, you may not be an expert. Here are some tips to help you get your feet wet:

  • Bring binoculars.

    There is much to see when you’re out on the water. Aside from the picturesque views of Morro Rock and the harbor, there’s active marine life that live in and around the bay.

    Our bay is home to harbor seals, sea otters and the occasional dolphin. You’ll likely notice many of our marine mammals on your adventure, especially if you paddle by our floating dock in the middle of the bay. Harbor seals enjoy gathering there and sunbathing throughout the day.

    If you’re paddling toward Morro Rock, be sure to keep your eyes open as this is a common gathering spot for sea otters.

    These animals are naturally peaceful and will keep their distance. A good rule of thumb is to stay far enough away that the animals don’t notice your presence. Bring your binoculars for a better view.

  • High tides make for easy paddling.

    Although the bay is gorgeous at all hours, there are times that are easier than others to navigate the waters. Use the tides to your advantage, said Dennis Krueger, manager of Kayak Horizons. The higher the tide, the further you can paddle into the estuary.

    Certain times of day also have better weather conditions. Mid-morning is the best time to go, said John Flaherty, tour guide and owner of Central Coast Outdoors. The wind tends to pick up come afternoon.

            Our coastal sunshine comes around almost every day, however some winter breezes can be cold on the bay. Be sure to take a jacket with you just in
            case. 

  • Maximize your experience with a guide.

            It’s possible to have a more-than successful solo trip, but taking a guide along will help you navigate through the bay. A guide can help you:

  1. Locate bird species, marine mammals and more. Guides know our local critters’ hang out spots. They can also help name species and give you more information about them.
  2. Find the best views and coolest spots. First time kayakers may not know their way around the bay. A guide will help you find the locations that you won’t want to miss.
  3. Avoid tricky situations. Lower tides are sometimes difficult to navigate. Our guides know the best way to pilot through tougher waters. 
 
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Best Seat on Earth for this Solar Eclipse!
08/08/2017

Best Seat on Earth for this Solar Eclipse!

Speaking from experience, there’s no better spot to watch the solar eclipse than on the quiet shoreline in Morro Bay. Free from the interference of tall city buildings, the calm coast holds the best stage for the moon’s rare performance. This is truly a photographer’s and sight-seer’s delight.
Plan on being here Monday, August 21st to readily welcome the eclipse at 10:16am PST. At this time, the moon will engulf 66.7% of the sun, then slowly return to its original location by 11:40am. Expect to feel temperatures drop and our shorebirds singing their nighttime songs!
Waking up early on a Monday will be worth it – grab your coffee to-go and head to one of these vantage points for the show of a lifetime:

· Panoramic Black Hill:
Just up the driveway of the Morro Bay Golf Course is the entryway to Black Hill trail. Don’t be alarmed – this short hike is perfect for all ages and abilities to enjoy. The top of the trail is worth every step, with a 360-degree view of Estero Bay including Los Osos, Baywood, Morro Bay and some of Cayucos. You will be the closest person to the eclipse in Morro Bay (with the very best view!). Many of our native birds will be close by to join you.

· Kayak to the Sandspit:
Perfect for the adventurous souls, the trek to the sandspit is unreachable by foot. Rent a kayak and paddle out to the sand spit for the morning. Hardly touched by human, the sand spit makes for a day of exploration and fun. Don’t be surprised leave with a kayak filled with gorgeous shells, flowers and stones from your visit. And, as the farthest location from town, your solar eclipse experience will show drastic lighting and temperature changes. Be prepared for a memorable escapade!

· Beach Brunch Picnic:
Find fun family time eating brunch the Morro Bay way. Pack your breakfast in a picnic basket and head to Morro Strand Beach for a meal with a view. This is the perfect time to play on the beach with lower tides and few beach-goers. With Morro Rock as a backdrop, your eclipse pictures will be beyond Instagram-worthy!
Don’t feel like cooking? You’re lucky Morro Bay has several delicious bakeries to grab some breakfast at. Follow the smell of fresh warm bread, or click HERE to check out some of the best.

SAFETY: Remember, the only safe way to view a solar eclipse is through special-purpose solar filters or eclipse glasses. It is unsafe to view the eclipse from dark sunglasses, camera lenses, binoculars or a telescope. For more information about solar eclipse safety, click HERE.

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Avo-Mazing Weekend Getaway
08/01/2017

Avo-Mazing Weekend Getaway

Imagine: perfect 70 degree weather, crisp ocean breezes, fresh homemade guacamole, salty margaritas, and your best friends all in one weekend. The perfection can be found during Morro Bay’s weekend dedicated to avocados, great food, and tasty margaritas during September 8th through 10th. Plan your next vacation to come savor some of the freshest food and premium drinks you’ll ever experience.
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Meet the Locals: Whales, Dolphins, Otters & more...
07/17/2017

Meet the Locals: Whales, Dolphins, Otters & more...

Morro Bay is lucky enough to host the largest animals on earth year-round. Impossible to be kept in captivity, the only way to see the majestic creatures is to venture around their natural habitat. These massive migrators are a treasure to behold.
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