|  While Morro Bay does have an excellent recreation center, most activities involve doing something outside. There are three local state parks, Morro Strand, Morro Bay State Park,and Morro Rock itself.
While Morro Strand State beach has camping, it's really most popular for the beach area. You'll see people walking, swimming, surfing, fishing, and kitesurfing. This area on the north side of town is quiet and has a long stretch without the normal row of houses overlooking the beach.
 Morro Rock Preserve has kayaking, surfing, rockhopping tourists, and some swimming north of the rock, more than anyone I see bird watchers. The rock is known for peregrine falcon nests along its tops along with many other nesting birds. Mornings you'll see lines of tourists with binoculars, scopes, and cameras during breeding season. Kayakers like to launch near the mouth of the Bay and there are regular trips posted in the Yahoo chat group.
In the photo to the right, you can see a very lucky young man running from a three story tall wave breaking on the south edge of the rock.
 Morro Bay State Park has just been undergoing renovations to it's campgrounds. It's due to open Spring of 2005, but as with any government project I'll believe when I see it. The new campground is supposed to be improved and have better facilities for those with handicaps. There's also an 18 hole golf course, natural history museum, marina with canoe and kayak rentals, and a very popular cafe. There are also several trails including Black Hill, which has a splendid view of the area. Docents that work with the Natural History Museum lead many popular hikes in the area discussing such diverse subjects as art, geology, native peoples, and the start of the universe. See our calendar for more.
There are also local parks including the giant chess set on the Embarcadero, the park at the Cloisters housing development on the north end of town, and the park downtown that is mostly known as the local bus stop and for hosting Art in the Park four times a year.
There's both mountain and road bicycling, but I'd strongly encourage the wear of helmets and reflective outerwear in either case. There are several bicycle rental shops in the area, the one I recommend is
Mooro Bay Cyclery, 214 Beach St, (805) 772-0208.
Kayaking and canoeing are very popular, and there's a yacht club but I rarely see boats out.
For fishing charters the people to contact are Virg's Landing in Morro Bay. I'm sure there are others, but they're the most famous.
For bird watchers there's plenty to do year round. There are bird overlooks all around the bay, kayak trips that afford wonderful views, and the penultimate
Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival which has made the local Audubon Society famous. While my personal dealings have left me unimpressed, they are well known for this event.
There's a skate park on the road to Morro Rock, and there's a miniature golf course that I'd be surprised to see still open just past the High School. |
