Morro Strand State Beach
State Park · Morro Bay, California
Morro Strand State Beach is a long, open beach on the San Luis Obispo coast, running along Highway 1 between Cayucos and the north end of Morro Bay, with Morro Rock, the 576-foot volcanic plug, standing at its southern end. The beach offers about three miles of sand, wind and surf, and the sand is hard-packed enough for walking and kite flying - confirm exact limits, since the state beach and neighbouring Atascadero Beach share the same shore. A coastal campground sits just behind the dunes - confirm size and booking window - with almost no shade. Dogs are barred from the beach and dune trails to protect nesting snowy plovers. Fog, wind and cold water are the norm, and rip currents are frequent. It suits campers, walkers, kite flyers and anyone wanting Morro Rock views, and it is not a warm swimming beach. Plan on wind, fog and a camera, and book the campground early for summer weekends.
CA-1, Morro Bay, California, 93442, United States
Hours are generally sunrise to sunset, and California State Parks has generally run its beaches as day-use areas with entry at sunrise and closing around sunset, with campground check-in and check-out on their own schedule - confirm the current hours, whether the day-use fee is collected at a kiosk or pay machine, and which parking areas are open. Fog is most common in late spring and summer mornings, and high surf in winter can close parts of the sand. Sections of beach may be fenced in nesting season to protect snowy plovers. Check the State Parks page on the day you go.
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