MORRO BAY — Winter is birding season and the  Morro Bay National Estuary Preserve and its unique 800-acre wetland with salt marshes and mudflats are home more than 250 species of land, sea, and shore birds and dozens of endangered species all winter long, including Peregrine Falcons.

Morro Ba  is a distinctive coastal destination located along the Pacific Flyway with sunny days perfect for bird watching from the Morro Bay State Park boardwalk, the Embarcadero, iconic Morro Rock, or on the water by kayak, paddleboard or boat cruise. Dictating the birding landscape is the vast, shallow open water of the bay, which is tidally drained. Small patches of woodland in the state park line the back bay where, at high tide, paddlers can cruise silently along the canals and marshes. In fact, birders descend on Morro Bay each year over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend for the  Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival.

 

Lodging Discounts and Restaurant Passport

Designated as one of the "10 Best Bargain Trips for 2018" by Budget Travel, Morro Bay is offering a complimentary  Restaurant Passportworth over $80 of discounts at on food, wine and beer at local restaurants.  

 

Save over $80 at these Morro Bay businesses:  

FREE 8oz cup of chowder with any purchase at Giovanni's Fish Market, family owned and operated, with patio seating overlooking the bay, for over 25 years. FREE appetizer with the purchase of two entrees and two drinks at Dutchman's Seafood House, serving fresh, local seafood along with burgers, steaks and amazing salads all prepared with seasonal ingredients from area farmers.  Two-for-one wine tasting at Stax Wine Bar & Bistro. Located on the Embarcadero, Stax is the hottest new wine bar and bistro in town. FREE appetizer with purchase of two entrees at The Libertine Pub. The Libertine is a craft brew pub that focuses on barrel aged wild ales and offers an extensive beer catalog with 48 draft handles. Two-for-one draft beers with the purchase of a "triple cone" appetizer at The Siren, downtown Morro Bay's newest bar. Enjoy an arrangement of sweet potato fries, seasoned fries and fried pickles with your favorite draft beer. FREE dinner or lunch combination with purchase of one dinner or lunch combination and two soft drinks at La Vida Roca, a Mexican Restaurant and Cantina with rooftop dining. FREE coffee and pastry with purchase of one coffee and pastry at Sun-n-Buns. FREE small side salad with the purchase of any pizza at Pizza Port. Pizza Port is committed to fresh produce and dough made daily where you can watch current sports or surf movies on the big screens and let the kids play arcade games. FREE cookie, brownie, or cupcake with the purchase of any coffee drink at Buttercup Bakery & Cafe.  

The Winter Bird Festival is just one example of the exciting events that take place in Morro Bay. On top of that, this bustling seaside village offers temperate Mediterranean weather, making it a must-do winter destination for all kinds of outdoor adventurers.  For information on all the exciting things to do and see in Morro Bay, visit www.morrobay.org.

 

About Morro Bay
A true gem, this seaside fishing village  with bustling waterfront offers a picture perfect getaway for travelers who seek food, wine and outdoor adventures found in a gorgeous natural setting. Located along coastal Highway 1 in San Luis Obispo County just south of Big Sur, midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, Morro Bay offers year round activities in an unspoiled slice of California. Recently recognized in as her home in Finding Dory, Morro Bay was named as a Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists, and outdoor activities are a way of life. From ocean-side golf, kayaking, sailing, hiking, fishing, surfing, biking, and bird watching, to kite flying, shopping, dining, wine bars, local craft brews and miles of unspoiled beaches, there is something for everyone.

 Sitting majestically between the beach and the harbor lays the iconic and historic landmark Morro Rock, welcoming travelers from miles away as they approach Morro Bay. Located just minutes from world-renowned Hearst Castle, historic missions, breathtaking Montana de Oro State Park, and surrounded by vineyards from Paso Robles to Edna Valley, Morro Bay is a destination designed to fit any style and budget for families, couples or groups. Morro Bay also offers a myriad of year-round events including food, wine and music festivals, art fairs and car shows unique to the town. For more travel information visit www.morrobay.org or follow Morro Bay on its Facebook, twitter or Pinterest pages.