City in California's Central Coast, just north of Los Osos and about a 20 minute drive from San Luis Obispo.

Kayaking

Good high-level information at California Highway 1 Roadtrip. Good detailed information at Paddle the California Coast.

Launch points:

The most well known launch point seems to be A Kayak Shack at Morro Bay State Park Marina, which is private. It's in the same parking lot as Bayside Cafe and the Morro Bay State Park boardwalk. You can rent kayaks here.
Just south of this parking lot, near the inlet at White Point and across the street from the State Park campgrounds, is a public launch point with some parking. This is where Eun-Joung and I launched when we visited in June 2022.
There are apparently other public launch ramps:
- On the southern end of the Embarcadero.
- Tidelands Park. Free parking also. Can launch from high or low tide.
- High tide only launch spots at Baywood Park Beach and Second Street Pier
- Small beach along Coleman. You can park close to this spot.

Steer clear of the mouth of Morro Bay, which is hazardous

Paddle into Morro Bay State Marine Reserve for lots of wildlife

Short paddle south of A Kayak Shack, then around the corner. Paddle about half a mile. To left is slough, then the Reserve.

Edged on north by Morro Bay Estuary

Paddle across the bay and land on western peninsula to walk along the sand dunes

If you see sea otters, stop about 100 feet away. (You’re not supposed to pursue them.) They will often come to you and investigate.

To Do

Stayed in Los Osos for Eun-Joung's birthday, and visited here multiple times.