Morro Rock
Morro Rock
4.5
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.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view










What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Morro Rock and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
93 within 5 kms
Attractions
33 within 10 kms
See what travellers are saying
- TheCollegeInvestorSan Diego, California16 contributionsExcellent stop for families with young kidsExcellent place to stop with kids. Big dirt parking lot was easy to get in and out of - even in the summer. Kids loved to go out on the jetty at the end of the rock. When the tide is out it’s a giant tide pool and you can see crabs and all sorts of wildlife. Our family had a blast for a quick hour stop. Plus, it’s free!Visited July 2023Travelled with familyWritten 21 July 2023
- northernkPhoenix, Arizona12,659 contributionsI got a RockThis sounds cool until you actually see it then you realize it's more that just cool it's pretty amazing to have a rock like this in your bay. Beautiful Bay and Morro Rock is certainly amazing'. So beautiful to view and see and made the sunset pretty amazing too.Visited July 2023Written 25 July 2023
- MaryQSan Antonio, Texas354 contributionsMorro Rock, something for everyoneWe spent a couple of hours at Morro Rock. There's so much to see on the way. My favorite sight is the wildlife, especially the sea otters playing in the water. There were sea lions fighting for a spot on the ledges of the boats that were docked there. Watch out for the squirrels though! They acted like they don't like tourists and will run towards you! We passed a PT boat, and walked along the boardwalk to the beach, then over to the rocky breakwall where we sat and watched the waves crashing over the rocks. The other side of the rock was calmer and you can spend some zen time with the Ocean there. It's totally worth it to walk out there and enjoy the sights.Visited October 2023Travelled with familyWritten 29 October 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
2,151 reviews
Excellent
1,307
Very good
645
Average
172
Poor
20
Terrible
7
MaryQ
San Antonio, TX354 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
We spent a couple of hours at Morro Rock. There's so much to see on the way. My favorite sight is the wildlife, especially the sea otters playing in the water. There were sea lions fighting for a spot on the ledges of the boats that were docked there. Watch out for the squirrels though! They acted like they don't like tourists and will run towards you! We passed a PT boat, and walked along the boardwalk to the beach, then over to the rocky breakwall where we sat and watched the waves crashing over the rocks. The other side of the rock was calmer and you can spend some zen time with the Ocean there. It's totally worth it to walk out there and enjoy the sights.
Written 29 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JBRetired
Apple Valley, CA472 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Nice easy hike along the boardwalk. First there are many places to walk. Also some great places to take a picture of both the rock and the water. Watch for the sea lions and otters in the water. If you are there on a windy day take a walk across the parking lot and watch the surfers on the north side. Finally a short walk past the power plant puts you at a number of water front Restuarants.
Written 13 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dcg86
Denver, CO188 contributions
Sep 2023 • Family
Be sure to walk around the rock to the left of parking for incredible animal watching: sea otters asleep in the morning, seals, sea lions, and thousands of birds. Takes about 15 minutes, depending on how long you want to watch. They've done a good job protecting the area.
Written 9 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
northernk
Phoenix, AZ12,659 contributions
Jul 2023
This sounds cool until you actually see it then you realize it's more that just cool it's pretty amazing to have a rock like this in your bay. Beautiful Bay and Morro Rock is certainly amazing'. So beautiful to view and see and made the sunset pretty amazing too.
Written 25 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheCollegeInvestor
San Diego, CA16 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
Excellent place to stop with kids. Big dirt parking lot was easy to get in and out of - even in the summer. Kids loved to go out on the jetty at the end of the rock. When the tide is out it’s a giant tide pool and you can see crabs and all sorts of wildlife. Our family had a blast for a quick hour stop. Plus, it’s free!
Written 22 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
motorcar1
Dublin, Ireland8,128 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
I have visited here on every trip to the West coast. It’s a beautiful area and the rock is the focal point. Great views, lovely walks and a quaint seaside town. If you are in the area stop here.
Written 25 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MozzyYorkshire
Yorkshire145 contributions
Sep 2022 • Couples
Lovely place.
Great to walk along the harbour. You may get to see some otters which often sleep in the harbour area.
Plenty to see and so hear.
Good bars, good food and easy to navigate
Great to walk along the harbour. You may get to see some otters which often sleep in the harbour area.
Plenty to see and so hear.
Good bars, good food and easy to navigate
Written 15 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeffrey S
48 contributions
Aug 2022
The rock was first mentioned by a westerner when Juan Cabrillo first sailed past it in 1540, and entered it in his ship's log, before proceeding down the coast to infect everyone with various diseases. You can understand why Morro Rock is considered a sacred spot by local indigenous peoples. Beautiful place, with lots of sea otters (8:30 a.m. is the best viewing time - they are still wrapped in the kelp beds, sleeping), and be sure to keep walking until you can't get any further. There's a wonderful, spiritual place where people have built more than 1000 rock towers. Be sure to build one yourself and thank the universe for the wonders of nature, except for the people who were screwing on the beach, clearly inspired by something or other.
Written 2 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Louise Masin Sattler
Los Angeles, CA1,075 contributions
Jul 2022
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 13 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Munir D
Toronto, Canada644 contributions
Jul 2022
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.
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 5 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
shawn
Austin, TX355 contributions
How warm is morro bay in late June… I see many places w no a/c?
tmathews1968
Springfield, MO22 contributions
Is Morro Rock before or after San Luis Obispo. I will be coming Big Sur for an overnight at the Madonna inn. Next day driving to Santa Barbara. Just don’t want to miss it.
JavisQDunkirk
Huntington Beach, CA57 contributions
From Big Sur, it will be before San Luis Obispo. You can't miss it driving down Highway 1.
tmathews1968
Springfield, MO22 contributions
Is Morro Rock before or after San Luis Obispo. I will be coming Big Sur for an overnight at the Madonna inn. Next day driving to Santa Barbara. Just don’t want to miss it.
ronmiller0032
santee69 contributions
Morro Bay is before San Luis Obispo, about 13 miles before
bobbybrandsma
Sioux Falls, SD
Are you allowed to climb Morris rock by stsiyd
bullygrrl
Oxnard, CA19 contributions
No climbing is allowed. You can pretty much walk right up to it.
You can also enjoy some very nice tide pools at its base.
angusoaks11
Janesville, WI79 contributions
What can expect to see in mid/late January?
William R
70 contributions
There is a great Bird Festival weekend in mid-January. It is also pupping season at the elephant seal rookery just north of San Simeon, less than an hour away. Lots of year-round hiking in Morro Bay, Montaña de Oro, Irish Hills.
Olga K
San Francisco, CA171 contributions
Is it good time to go there by the end of August?
Jim L
Visalia, CA23 contributions
In the summer months it can be foggy and cool in Morro Bay-especially in the morning and late afternoon. However, it often clears up between late morning and early afternoon-and the view is spectacular. General rule of thumb is if it is really hot in the Central Valley it will be foggy at the coast. Of course, it will be far less crowded starting in the middle of August, as the new school year has started. It is definitely worth the trip.
Madone52
Edina, MN5 contributions
Is it possible to climb Morro Rock? If so, how technical?
northee
Tulare, CA31 contributions
Sorry, it is illegal to climb the Rock as it disturbs the birds and their nesting areas. I think someone tried a while back to propose to his girl friend and got arrested.
I think some of the parks in the area have hiking areas.
Madone52
Edina, MN5 contributions
Is it possible to climb Morro Rock? If so, how technical?
mark +alexi k
Santa Fe, NM133 contributions
no!
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listingMorro Rock (Morro Bay) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about Morro Rock
- Hotels near Morro Rock:
- (0.03 km) Inn At Rose's Landing
- (0.11 km) Anderson Inn
- (0.16 km) The Landing at Morro Bay
- (0.18 km) Blue Sail Inn
- (0.24 km) Pleasant Inn
- Restaurants near Morro Rock:
- (0.02 km) The Libertine Pub
- (0.02 km) Rose's Bar & Grill
- (0.03 km) Kelli's Candies
- (0.11 km) Galley Seafood Grill & Bar
- (0.15 km) Windows on the Water