On California's Central Coast, a famously beautiful landscape that inspires art
About 15 miles from San Luis Obispo on California’s Central Coast, Morro Bay is a seaside fishing village named for its own estuary and famous for its stunning coastal landscape. The huge Morro Rock, part of a volcanic chain of peaks and hills known as the "Nine Sisters," rises from the Pacific Ocean beside a sandy beach and the sleepy downtown harbor. “People come from all over the world to vacation here because there are drop-dead gorgeous views everywhere you look,” says Morro Bay resident Kathleen Scruton, a Realtor with REeBroker Group. “It’s one of those places where artists come to paint, and photographers come to capture the sunset." There are plenty of opportunities for water recreation on both the bay and the open ocean, from sailing to surfing, fishing and birdwatching.
Roughly 11,000 residents live in Morro Bay either full- or part-time, a mix of retirees, families with children, and young professionals, all drawn by the laid-back local lifestyle. “There are a lot of remote workers who choose to live here,” Scruton says. “A lot of residents are employed in the service and hospitality industry here, and some are traveling to San Luis Obispo, which is like a 20-minute drive.” Despite regular tourists, Morro Bay manages to maintain it’s small-town feel. “It’s a really tight-knit community,” Scruton says. “People look out for each other.”
Visitors are drawn to Morro Bay for the large volcanic rock known as Morro Rock.
Morro Bay is a dreamy beach town that draws visitors from all over.
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Beaches, hiking trails, and wildlife viewing opportunities in Morro Bay
Morro Rock Beach and the adjacent Morro Strand State Beach span 6 continuous miles of ocean. These white sandy beaches are ideal for swimming, surfing and scouting for gray and humpback whales, which can occasionally be seen from the shore.
The 2,700-acre Morro Bay State Park is set right on the bay, with wetlands and brackish marshes that attract about 250 migratory bird species. The park's marina is a convenient spot to launch kayaks, canoes and paddleboards, and parkgoers can access trails that lead to the summits of Black Hill and Cerro Cabrillo — both part of the volcanic Nine Sisters chain. The state park also includes a public 18-hole golf course, and the Morro Bay Museum of Natural History here has exhibits about the bay’s wildlife and ecosystems.
Morro Rock Beach is a popular white sand beach in Morro Bay.
Many fisherman use the harbor in Morro Bay to dock their boats.
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A diverse housing scene for both full and part time residents
As of early 2025, Morro Bay's median home price is about $955,000. While this is more than double the national average, it’s lower than other nearby coastal communities like Cayucos and Avila Beach, where medians float above $1.3 million.
Mid-20th-century beach bungalows and coastal cottages are concentrated near the Embarcadero, while newer custom homes can be found further inland. “A lot of the homes are tiered on little rolling hills, so a huge portion of homes on the hills have views of the water and Morro Rock,” Scruton says. Homes set on the oceanfront and higher in elevation can go for upwards of $2.5 million. Condominiums and manufactured homes are less expensive options.
“There are quite a few year-round residents, but every street has at least one second-home owner," Scruton says. "A lot of people from the Central Valley, Los Angeles and San Francisco own second homes here to get out of the heat. We’ve got a pretty mild climate, so it doesn’t get too hot or too cold. For the most part, nobody here really has air conditioning in their home because they don’t need it.”
Oceanside homes line the bluffs in Morro Bay.
Morro Bay has many quiet residential streets.
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Boutique shopping and fresh seafood along the Embarcadero
Spanning Morro Bay’s harbor, the Embarcadero is the city’s waterfront shopping and dining district. This walkable stretch is lined with boutiques and seafood restaurants serving fresh fish and oysters supplied daily by local fishermen. “You can go down to the seafood markets on the docks and buy some fish to take home and cook,” Scruton says. “It doesn’t get much fresher than that.” The harbor’s also a popular spot to scout for sea lions and harbor seals, which are often seen splashing in the bay or lounging right on the docks.
While most of Morro Bay’s shopping and dining scene is focused on locally owned establishments —both along the Embarcadero and throughout the city— residents can find chain grocery shopping and a couple fast food restaurants further inland.
Many restaurants are oceanfront in Morro Bay.
Giovanni's Fhish Market and Gallery is an iconic spot in Morro Bay.
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Learning in the top-rated school district in San Luis Obispo County
Morro Bay is zoned for San Luis Coastal Unified School District, which Niche gives an A rating and names as the best district in San Luis Obispo County. The district serves about 7,500 students and enables high schoolers to enroll in a variety of career and technical education courses, as well as earn dual enrollment credits through Cuesta College.
Morro Bay High School
Del Mar Elementary School.
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Low rates of property and violent crime in Morro Bay
Morro Bay's property and violent crime rates are below the national average, and have fallen in recent years. According to the most recent information provided by the California Department of Justice, 2023 saw 32 reported incidents of violent crime, down from 55 incidents in 2022. There were 102 reported incidents of property crime in 2023, down from 150 the previous year and the lowest annual rate in 10 years.
Access to public transportation and the iconic Pacific Coast Highway
Morro Bay is located right on California’s scenic Highway 1, which connects drivers to hubs along the coast. San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority buses serve local residents. Morro Bay has several medical offices, and two hospitals—Adventist Health Sierra Vista Medical Center and Dignity Health French Hospital Medical Center—are about 15 miles away in San Luis Obispo. The small San Luis Obispo County Airport (SBP) is about 18 miles away, with direct flights to several U.S. cities, as well as Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO); both airports are within a 4-hour drive of Morro Bay.
Ted Gillan is a highly experienced realtor on the Central Coast of California with over 18 years of experience in the industry. Ted brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Central Coast real estate market. With deep roots in the area, Ted has a passion for helping families realize their dreams, whether that be a ranch, vacation escape, beach home or modern abode. Throughout his career, Ted has gained extensive knowledge of the real estate market and is committed to providing his clients with the best home buying and/or selling experience possible. His attention to detail, strong negotiation skills, and commitment to excellence make him an invaluable asset to his clients. In addition to his work in real estate, Ted and his family have been actively involved in the Central Coast communities since the 1980s. Their commitment to creating the best environments in which to raise families for generations to come is a testament to their dedication to the Central Coast. If you are looking for a seamless real estate experience and exceptional assistance in buying or selling your part of California's Central Coast, Ted is the realtor to contact. With his extensive knowledge and expertise, he will guide you through the process and ensure that you achieve your real estate goals.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
