School holidays are around the corner, so in case you were looking for the cutest escape, we’ve got you covered. Pick up – Morro Bay is calling your name. Located off the coast of California, this charming fishing town is famous for its volcanic landmark, Morro Rock; but the real stars of the show are the sea otters.
Check out the adorable otters at Morro Bay
Let’s start with the main reason why you’ll probably wanna head there. Morro Bay is arguably one of the best places in California to view sea otters in the wild because they live here year-round. The best part? It’s completely natural and accessible. You don’t need to hop on a boat, or anything – you can literally walk along the sidewalk at the Embarcadero or near Morro Rock and look straight out into the ocean.
If you’re extra lucky, you might spot little rafts of them holding paws, or even catch a mother carrying her fluffy baby pup on her belly.
How to safely observe them
Otters are a protected keystone species, so there are strict rules to keep them safe. You cannot swim with the otters, and if you’re on the water, you cannot kayak near them or disturb their natural behavior. No feeding and no touching, please!
To get the best views without invading their space, make sure to bring a phone with a great zoom feature.
Other amazing activities at Morro Bay
While you can’t kayak with the otters, you can absolutely kayak the bay! One of the most memorable things to do is book a beginner-friendly kayaking or paddleboard tour. This way, you’ll paddle through calm waters, spot seabirds, pass right by the local Morro Bay oyster farm, and end up at the breathtaking Sandspit dunes. It’s one of the easiest ways to see a rugged, beautiful side of Morro Bay, that not everyone gets to enjoy.
How to get there from San Diego
Morro Bay is located about 300 miles north of San Diego in San Luis Obispo County. It makes for an amazing weekend road trip! Here’s how to get there:
- By car: The drive takes about 5 to 6 hours, depending on LA traffic. Take the I-5 North out of San Diego, and navigate LA to connect to the US-101 North. Pass through Santa Barbara and into San Luis Obispo. From San Luis Obispo, hop onto CA-1 North for about 15 minutes until you hit Morro Bay.
- By train: You can hop on the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner from San Diego straight to San Luis Obispo. Once you arrive at the SLO station, take a local bus (RTA Route 12) or a quick Uber/Lyft right to the Morro Bay waterfront. See you there!
