Morro Bay: seashells, skate boards, and avocados; things to do

1 South

The Shell Shop  

590 Embarcadero Rd., (805) 772-8014.  Daily 9:30-7, in winter 9:30-5:30. 

The perfect souvenir stop, The Shell Shop has the largest selection of seashells on the Central Coast and offers them at bargain prices.  Children can walk in with just 15 cents and purchase and a lovely, tiny shell, or splurge their entire allowance and walk out with something memorable.

Blue Limpet shells at The Shell Shop in Morro Bay, California

shell roses at The Shell Shop in Morro Bay, California

Morro Bay Skateboard Museum  

601 Embarcadero, (805) 610-3565.  M-F 11am-5pm, Sat-Sun 10am-5pm. 

More than 200 skateboards on display at the Morro Bay Skateboard Museum tell the complete history of skateboarding--from the 1930s through today.  Currently it holds John Lennon's skateboard, but exhibits are rotate out from private collections.  Unfortunately, it was closed when I stopped by.

exterior of Morro Bay Skateboard Museum in Morro Bay, California

Morro Creek Ranch  

1800 Atascadero Rd., (805) 772-8200.  Daily 10am-5pm. 

This working avocado farm features more than 11,000 Haas avocado trees.  Though the mainstay at Morro Creek Ranch is the Hass, sometimes more unusual avocado varieties such as the Zutano are also available for sale.  A small open-air shop also dispenses avocado cosmetics, avocado oil, and more.

sign at Morro Creek Ranch in Morro Bay, California

Zutano avocados at Morro Creek Ranch in Morro Bay, California

More things to do in Morro Bay.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

images ©2018 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Morro Bay: Dorn's Original Breakers Cafe + Giant Chess Board; restaurant review + things to do

1 South

Dorn's Original Breakers Cafe  

801 Market Ave., (805) 772-4415.  B-L-D daily; $-$$.  Reservations advised. 

Here since 1942, casual Dorn's Original Breakers Cafe features a great bay view and is especially pleasant at breakfast, when the menu offers a choice of hearty options.  I had a satisfying omelette stuffed full of sautéed mushrooms, but was also tempted by a linguica omelette and a lox and bagel (the chocolate-chip pancakes with chocolate syrup that I remember from long ago are no longer on the menu).  My partner was very happy with his all-American crispy bacon and eggs plate.  Each item was served with a choice of two housemade blueberry muffins, three buttermilk pancakes, or toast.  The extensive dinner menu features fresh local fish and an award-winning Boston clam chowder.  While we dined, we thoroughly enjoyed the room’s spot-on view of the rock and even saw several majestic brown pelicans fly by.

exterior of Dorn's Original Breakers Cafe in Morro Bay, California

interior of Dorn's Original Breakers Cafe in Morro Bay, California

mushroom omelette at Dorn's Original Breakers Cafe in Morro Bay, California

bacon and eggs at Dorn's Original Breakers Cafe in Morro Bay, California

Giant Chess Board  

Embarcadero Rd./Front St., in Centennial Park, (805) 772-6278.  M-F 8-5.  Reservations required. 

At the base of a 44-step stairway (Dorn's is at the top) is one of the two largest chessboards in the U.S.  (The other is in New York City's Central Park.)  The redwood chess pieces stand 2- and 3-feet high and weigh from 18 to 40 pounds, making a game here physical as well as mental exercise.  Both the stairway and the chess pieces were made from redwood reclaimed from two dismantled town water tanks.  From noon to 5 p.m. each Saturday, the Morro Bay Chess Club sponsors games on the giant 16- by 16-foot concrete board, and non-members are welcome to challenge.

Giant Chess Board in Morro Bay, California

More things to do in Morro Bay.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

images ©2018 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Morro Bay: Anderson Inn + The Galley Seafood Grill + STAX Wine Bar; hotel review + restaurant review

1 South

Anderson Inn  

897 Embarcadero, (805) 772-3434.  8 rooms; 2 stories.  No pets. 

Located waterfront, the small family-owned boutique-style Anderson Inn lodging includes three deluxe guest rooms with a fireplace, soaking tub, and great view of the town's famous rock.  The others each have a small balcony from which you can also get a pretty good view.  All guest rooms are on the second level and feature a high vaulted ceiling, while the office is on the ground level.  An elevator makes arrival and departure a snap.  Part motel (you can park your car adjacent) and part boutique hotel (the decor is clean-lined contemporary), it provides spacious rooms and bathrooms and the convenience of being in the heart of town so you can walk most places.

guest room at Anderson Inn in Morro Bay, California

view of Morro Rock from guest room at Anderson Inn in Morro Bay, California

The Galley Seafood Grill & Bar 

Downstairs, (805) 772-7777.

The Galley Seafood Grill overlooks the harbor and has that same view of the rock.  A bank of comfortable booths provide prime seating.  Unfortunately, for dinner in fall and winter, darkness cuts out the great view of the rock.  In business since 1966, the restaurant specializes in premium seafood.  We started with a cup of the house clam chowder.  My main was shrimp scampi, with the prawns perched around a mound of garlic mashed potatoes and topped with fresh asparagus.  My partner had blackened rock fish.  Additional popular items include the pan-seared scallops, calamari steak, and several steaks.

interior of The Galley Seafood Grill & Bar in Morro Bay, California

shrimp scampi at The Galley Seafood Grill & Bar in Morro Bay, California

blackened rock fish at The Galley Seafood Grill & Bar in Morro Bay, California

STAX Wine Bar & Bistro

A few blocks away at 1099 Embarcadero, (805) 772-5055.

STAX Wine Bar & Bistro offers a wine menu that includes vintages from the Central Coast and from around the world.  We sat on a stool at the bar, which overlooks the quiet street and the old landmark power plant stacks, and did the basic tasting of five wines ($10/person) to Otis Redding background music.   We especially enjoyed a smooth Rhone from Arroyo Seco and a pretty Merlot from Rutherford.  If we hadn’t already made dinner arrangements, I would have stayed on for a glass of wine and the artichoke appetizer followed by a few more selections from the small-plate menu that features Morro Bay Grassy Bar oysters, locally made cheeses and meats, paninis, salads, and more.  Most of the seating is at the bar and raised tables, but a few couches let the friendly clientele get really cozy. 

interior of STAX Wine Bar & Bistro in Morro Bay, California

wine tasting at STAX Wine Bar & Bistro in Morro Bay, California

More things to do in Morro Bay.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

images ©2018 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Morro Bay: Morro Bay State Park + Morro Bay Museum of Natural History; things to do

1 South

Morro Bay State Park  

On State Park Rd., at S end of town, (805) 772-7434.  Campsites available. 

·Bird Sanctuary  

This is the third largest bird sanctuary in the world.  A trail through the marsh and hills allows the possibility of sighting more than 250 bird species. 

·Heron Rookery Natural Preserve  

20 State Park Rd., at Fairbank Point.  No one is allowed inside the rookery--one of the last where the Great Blue Heron is found--but herons can usually be viewed from an observation area.  Droppings from these large birds cause a high acidity level that has altered the ecosystem, which is now basically a cluster of dead trees.  Both Great and Snowy Egrets, Cormorants, and Black Crowned Night Herons are also often seen here.

Heron Rookery Natural Preserve in Morro Bay State Park in Morro Bay, California

·Morro Bay Museum of Natural History  

At White Point, (805) 772-2694.  Daily 10-5.  $3, under 17 free.  

Situated on a scenic perch over the bay, this small museum in Morro Bay State Park has large windows that provide excellent views of the estuary.  A stellar collection of taxidermied local wildlife specimens makes it a must-stop, and a telescope permits up-close viewing of living wildlife outside.  A Chumash garden in the back displays native plants, and a steep path leads up through a small rocky area where you can see mortar holes where the Indians mashed acorns.  In winter, guided walks visit the monarch butterflies that congregate nearby. 

Morro Bay Museum of Natural History in Morro Bay State Park
in Morro Bay, California

view of Morro Rock from interior of Morro Bay Museum of Natural History
in Morro Bay State Park in Morro Bay, California

taxidermied Northern Harrier Morro Bay Museum of Natural History
in Morro Bay State Park in Morro Bay, California

taxidermied Long-billed Curlew Morro Bay Museum of Natural History
in Morro Bay State Park in Morro Bay, California

skeleton of Minke Whale at Morro Bay Museum of Natural History
in Morro Bay State Park in Morro Bay, California

·Marina Peninsula Loop Trail  

60 State Park Rd., at Morro Bay State Park Marina (across form the campground).  No dogs.  

This .7-mile boardwalk trail winds through a variety of estuary habitats, including a sandspit, mud flats, and salt marsh.  It offers good birdwatching.

Marina Peninsula Loop Trail on Estuary in Morro Bay State Park
in Morro Bay, California

More things to do in Morro Bay.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

images ©2018 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

1 South

Introduction to Morro Bay

sunset at Morro Rock in Morro Bay, California

A Little Background

Named ”El Morro” in 1542 by explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo because it reminded him of a turbaned Moor, the huge volcanic rock here is visible from just about everywhere in town.  The area is also referred to as the “Gibraltar of the Pacific."  Morro Rock stands 576 feet high and is now a State Monument.  Peregrine falcons--said to be the fastest moving animal in the world and an endangered species--nest at the top.  Rafts of sea otters can also usually be viewed in the bay here.

viewing a Peregrine falcon nest at Morro Rock in Morro Bay, California

Because the area’s wide variety of landscapes offer myriad nesting sites for some of California’s most interesting birds, bird-watching is particularly good.

Commercial fishing is this small, picturesque town's main industry.  Albacore and abalone are the local specialties, and they frequently show up on restaurant menus.

Morro Bay National Estuary Preserve  

Located along the Pacific Flyway, this 800-acre wetland consists of salt marshes and mudflats that are the winter home to more than 250 species of land, sea, and shore birds, plus dozens of endangered species such as Peregrine Falcons.

Morro Bay National Estuary Center 

601 Embarcadero, in Marina Square, (805) 772-3834.  Free. 

This small center offers an array of exhibits--including an 18-foot mural depicting habitats in and around the bay--as well as a spectacular view of the bay and Morro Rock.  See steel-head trout in an aquarium, and hermit crabs and tine anemones in an eel-grass tank.  Local travel literature is also available.

Morro Bay National Estuary Center in Morro Bay, California

Getting There
Located approximately 30 miles south of San Simeon.  Cayucos and Avila Beach are just north.

More Information about Morro Bay.

More things to do in Morro Bay.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

images and video ©2018 Carole Terwilliger Meyers