United States
California (CA)
San Luis Obispo County
Morro Bay
Things to Do in Morro Bay
Morro Rock

Morro Rock, Morro Bay: Address, Morro Rock Reviews: 4.5/5

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Morro Rock

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Morro Rock
4.5
2,142
#3 of 24 things to do in Morro Bay
Geologic Formations
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About
Home to flocks of Peregrine falcons, egrets and blue herons, the 50-acre Morro Rock is the last in a chain of extinct volcanoes.
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Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Top ways to experience Morro Rock and nearby attractions

The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
93 within 3 miles
Galley Seafood Grill & Bar
1,758
364 ft$$ - $$$ • American • Seafood • Vegetarian Friendly
House Of Ju Ju
302
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Vegetarian Friendly
Windows on the Water
580
483 ft$$$$ • American • Seafood • Vegetarian Friendly
Frankie and Lola's
758
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Cafe • Vegetarian Friendly
Dorn's Original Breakers Cafe
1,061
383 ft$$ - $$$ • American • Seafood • Soups
Carla's Country Kitchen
419
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Cafe • Vegetarian Friendly
Giovanni's Fish Market & Galley
877
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • American • Seafood
Blue Sky Bistro on the Bay
422
435 ft$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Seafood
Hofbrau
429
484 ft$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • American • Bar
Top dog coffee bar
196
0.2 mi$ • Quick Bites • American • Cafe
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Attractions
32 within 6 miles
Chateau Margene
11
175 ftWineries & Vineyards
Anchor Memorial Park
39
468 ftLookouts • Parks
Fiona Bleu Gallery
21
471 ftArt Galleries
Tidelands Park
23
0.1 miParks • Playgrounds
Morro Bay Estuary Nature Center
6
0.1 miNatural History Museums • Science Museums
Morro Bay Maritime Museum
55
0.3 miMilitary Museums • Speciality Museums
Bay Theatre
33
0.3 miTheaters
John Ramos Gallery
8
0.3 miArt Galleries
Centennial Parkway
14
0.3 miParks • Playgrounds
Morro Strand State Beach
304
0.8 miBeaches
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
2,142 reviews
Excellent
1,298
Very good
645
Average
172
Poor
20
Terrible
7
Mary Lou F
Chelsea, MI196 contributions
Enjoyable Afternoon
We were only going to stop here if we had time, and I am glad we did. We spent about an hour and a half here walking around the rock, watching the birds, and enjoying the cacti that were blooming.
There was a naturalist there at the time and he told us the history of the bay and how the the sea otters have returned. We saw about 5 sea otters playing while we were there. They were fun to watch.
At one time there were 300,000 sea otters along the Pacific coast, but they were hunted for their fur until only about 50 remained. The otters eat sea urchins which eat the kelp that provides food for fish and birds and a place for the otters to hide their young. When the otters were over hunted, the sea urchins became overpopulated and ate all the kelp, so the fish and birds were no longer abundant.
Now that the sea otter population is returning, they are keeping the sea urchins under control so the kelp is returning. Along with the kelp many fish and birds have also returned.
Morro Rock and Bay are interesting places to see wildlife and enjoy a pleasant walk. We enjoyed our afternoon here.
Written November 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Louise Masin Sattler
Los Angeles, CA813 contributions
Not Just Any "Ol Rock!
It may seem that it is "just a rock" - but seriously - this is an amazing force of nature. Juxtaposed with an excellent background of the bay, home to flocks of birds, and then natural wildlife swimming about. Plus, the boats in the bay make this place a great area to visit. Bring your camera!
Written July 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
JDZatSF
San Francisco, CA902 contributions
love it
How could one not love Morro Rock? I enjoyed looking at it, taking photos of it, and walking around as much of it as one can.

I wish we could walk all the way around, I wish cars weren't allowed to park around it, I wish there wasn't ugly fencing blocking off a little beach next to it, etc.

I love Morro Rock and only want it better.
Written July 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ROCruiser
Claremont, CA4,595 contributions
The Rock
Good to be back and visit Morro Rock at this unusual time. It was cold and windy, very different from the hot weather in Southern California. Many people surfing, swimming and fishing near the rock and parking was not a problem even for our RV. Easy to social distancing.
Written September 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Munir D
Toronto, Canada609 contributions
Unique natural beauty
We went to see the Rock in Morro Bay on our way from Los Angeles to San Francisco. This was on the scenic Pacific Coast Highway.

Due to pressure on time we spent about 20 minutes on the beach and left after taking photographs. We saw the Rock again from Malibu where it looked like the rock was jetting out of the ocean.

We enjoyed our visit to this unique natural beauty and do certainly recommend all to visit this structure.

Am informed that the sunset is unique at this beach with the Rock.

Munir D.
Written July 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Paulette S
Templeton, CA155 contributions
Big, Bad and Ugly Surf Board Contest
Couples
Went to the 29th Estero bay contest today Morro Bay has been packed for the event. It is a big deal in California where people come from north and south to participate. Even the local sea otters get into it!!!
Written February 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Al Bamsch
North Myrtle Beach, SC7 contributions
A vivid landmark and pleasant place to visit
Couples
Morro Rock leaves an impression in one's memory that will last a lifetime. A beautiful walk around the southern base, watching sea otters frolic and play in the sun, and a short but silky sand beach provided wonderful memories. Fresh sea air was much needed during a difficult time for so many. The COVID19 Pandemic has caused a statewide lockdown. One day we will look back and really appreciate how nature made us feel calm ... we already feel it!
Written March 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
TravelinArtist
Cameron Park, CA37 contributions
A great place to visit
Friends
We visit family in the area a few times each year and a day isn’t complete without walking to the rock. There is always something interesting. We have always been able to get good views of sea otters (left side as one is walking toward the rock). Crossing the large parking lot on right side there are always surfers and it’s fun watching. On our last visit there was a surfing competition so we got a glimpse of the surfing world. You can walk part way around the bay side of the rock and sit and watch the sea. It’s a peaceful place. The air is fresh, views lovely, and even the three smoke stacks have grown on me.
Written March 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
NJCricketer
NJ478 contributions
Morro Rock - Spend some time here....unlike us!
Worth driving closer to the rock and exploring it. I am sure there is a lot to do around the place and a couple of days would make it worthwhile - the wildlife, boat tours etc. This was the first time we had seen it on our drive from the Bay area to Los Angeles. There was lots of parking and people were walking on the long beach along Morro Bay. Unfortunately, we were pressed for time and had not done much research but definitely it is a place worth coming back to.
Written June 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
mlbeotch
Riverside, CA44 contributions
Morro Bay “The Rock” Johnson
Couples
My girlfriend went to a wedding in Morro Bay a couple years ago, and really wanted to come back for my birthday weekend. I had never been further up the coast than Santa Barbara and was excited to explore the fabled central California coast a bit. Morro Rock did not disappoint! It dominates the landscape (when it’s not covered in fog), and is a 5-10 minute walk from downtown Morro Bay. We explored the breakwater that’s south of the Rock with my girlfriend’s dog, watched the boats going in and out of the bay, and saw tons of marine life (sea birds, sea otters, seals, leopard sharks). There are beautiful, colorful protected dunes that flank the rock on the northeast side. I was planning on surfing at Avila Beach while we were staying in Morro Bay, but there was great surfing right next to the rock, 5 minutes from our hotel room! The water temperature was 50 degrees in mid-May, I surfed in booties and a hood and I’m glad I did. The huge stacks from the water treatment plant are adjacent to the rock and offer an interesting visual contrast. Morro Bay is a sleepy seaside fishing town, full of little shops and great restaurants.

Morro Rock looks like it would be awesome to climb, but if you try to scale it you’re gonna get arrested.

I would love to come back to Morro Bay and surf the Rock again in late summer, when it’s warmer and less foggy. But it was still a great place to visit in mid-May, and you should definitely spend a couple of hours at the Rock if you’re ever in the area.
Written May 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Morro Rock
We recommend booking Morro Rock tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 1 Morro Rock tours on Tripadvisor