Explore Morro Bay, California, in an RVshare RV Rental
Morro Bay, along California's Central Coast, is a picturesque historic community known for its natural features. Franklin Riley founded Morro Bay in 1870, and it has a population of 10,234. It became a port for exporting dairy and ranch products. Portuguese explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo was exploring Alta, California, when they set up camp along what is now Morro Bay. During this expedition, one of the men wrote about seeing a great rock in the form of a morro, or crown-shaped hill.
Cabrillo gave this majestic landmark the name of "El Morro." Morro Bay is the location of Morro Rock, which is the origin of the city's name. Morro Rock is one of the most popular attractions in this city. It is a 576-foot volcano remnant at the mouth of Morro Bay, and it can be seen miles out before reaching the town. This rock is also home to nesting peregrine falcons and other species of birds. Grab reservations at Blue Sky Bistro Café and Abri Waterfront Restaurant. They offer outdoor dining options that overlook the bay.
The Embarcadero is a waterfront downtown area filled with shops, museums, fine dining, and cultural attractions. There are plenty of opportunities for yacht rentals, fishing charters, and bay cruises. You can also take a wildlife excursion at the boat launch near Tidelands Park. Sub Sea Tours offers rides on a boat with a glass underwater viewing deck. The Estuary Nature Center is also nearby and has interactive exhibits that teach you about the nature of the area.
Discover Nearby Town and Cities
San Luis Obispo sits between the Santa Lucia Mountains and the ocean. It is one of the cities in California that has a campground on the beach, which is a rarity.
Atascadero is a hidden gem along the Golden State coastline. It has a small-town charm with fun for families and a lot of open space.
Pismo Beach is a seaside city that has pleasant weather year-round and plenty of outdoor activities. It is a great city for traveling families because of the kid-friendly attractions, including the Pismo Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove and Dinosaur Caves Park.
Best National Parks Near Morro Bay, California
California is home to several national parks. When traveling by RV to Morro Bay, you should make a stop at Channel Islands National Park, which is the closest national park. Joshua Tree National Park, Death Valley National Park, Yosemite National Park, Kings Canyon National Park, and Sequoia National Park are all within six hours of Morro Bay.
The Channel Islands comprises five islands totaling 249,354 acres, half of which are under the ocean. Joshua Tree brings together two distinct desert ecosystems: the Colorado and Mojave. Death Valley is the largest national park in America and contains Badwater Basin, which, at 282 feet, is the second-lowest point in the Western Hemisphere. Yosemite has iconic sights like Half Dome and El Capitan, and sister parks Kings Canyon and Sequoia are known for the astonishingly tall, ancient sequoia trees.
Popular State Parks Near Morro Bay, California
Many state parks in California receive international attention because of their unique landscapes. Morro Bay State Park features Morro Rock, which is the bay’s most prominent landmark. It also features a museum, a lagoon, and a natural bay habitat. Visitors can enjoy bird-watching, hiking, fishing, and sailing.
There is also Estero Bluffs State Park, which encompasses a large chunk of undeveloped land between Highway 1 and the Pacific Ocean. This state park comprises 353 acres along a rocky coastline that offers 180-degree views of the Pacific. Visitors can also enjoy four miles of hiking trails.
Must-See Monuments and Landmarks Near Morro Bay, California
California has plenty of landmarks, which makes it unique from any other state. Hearst Castle is an estate that consists of 115 rooms in the main house, eight acres of gardens, pools, and guesthouses. Visitors can take tours, check out the W.R. Hearst Exhibit, watch the film on local history at the Hearst Castle Theater, and more.
The Monterey Bay Aquarium was the first to display a living kelp forest in 1984. It has an open sea exhibit and 45 interactive exhibits featuring invertebrates, fish, reptiles, octopi, and fish. The aquariums also have tanks on display with schools of fish, sharks, jellyfish, and sea turtles.
Events Near Morro Bay, California
Whale Rock Music and Arts Festival is an upcoming annual event to celebrate Castoro Cellars.
At the upcoming Central Coast Shakespeare Festival, visitors can listen to stories about their favorite characters.
The SLO Reptile Festival is an upcoming event where you can see exotic animals.
The annual Surfing for Hope Longboard Contest Weekend is an upcoming fall event to inspire people fighting cancer.
The SLO Octoberfest is an upcoming festival where visitors can enjoy German food and beer.
The Winter Faire & Craft Show is an upcoming fall event where you can buy crafts from local artists.
Popular POI Activities Near Morro Bay, California
Cerro Alta Trail – This is a five-mile trail inside Los Padres National Forest. It is ideal for an experienced hiker because the trail requires a lot of climbing.
Marina Peninsula Trail – This five-mile trail starts at Morro Bay State Park Marina and is great for hikers of all experience levels.
The Cloisters Wetland Trail – This trail inside of North Morro Bay is 2.6 acres and has a wildlife habitat and freshwater lagoon.
RVshare’s Top Picks for Nearby RV Parks and Campground
Silver City RV Park is one of the best RV campgrounds in Morro Bay. It has over 55 campsites, and you can walk to the beach from the RV park. This park is close to shopping, local attractions, restaurants, and natural beauty on the California coast.
You will also enjoy camping at Morro Bay State Park. It is minutes away from Morro Strand State Beach, which is a good place to take your dog. You can also camp at one of these 10 campgrounds near San Luis Obispo, which is very close to Morro Bay.
Best RV Dump Stations Near Morro Bay, California
Dump stations give you a place to get rid of waste and access to clean water. The best dump stations in Morro Bay include Morro Bay State Park. The dump station is free to use for registered members; a fee is required for unregistered members. Many campgrounds have dump stations on-site but may charge a fee.
Le Sage Riviera RV Park is in Grover Beach, California, and is close to Pismo Beach. The RV Park offers full hookups and is for registered members only. Morro Dunes RV Park also has a dump station on the premises.
Popular RV Storage Facilities Near Morro Bay, California
A reliable storage facility allows you to leave your RV parked while sightseeing. San Luis Mini Storage is one of the most popular facilities for storing your RV near Morro Bay. It costs $70 a month to leave your RV at the storage facility. You are parking in a parking lot that is behind computerized security gates.
Morro Dunes RV Park offers RV storage and has a campground on the beach. It has a backlot where you can park your RV. Morro Bay Stow Away is another option for RV storage.
