By Jennifer Best

It took two women and three children to complete this assignment: explore Morro Bay, find all the fun stuff and try all the good food.

I know. It was a tough gig, but with a few bucks (and thankfully a credit card) in our pockets and a few afternoons to spare, we were up to the challenge.

Lesson one: We needed more time.

We ate, shopped, played in the park, fed the seals at the aquarium, watched an otter munch crabs and mussels, and we ate some more. But we hadn't time for whale watching, playing chess on the giant chess board, sport fishing, kayaking, biking, skating, kite flying, underwater tours, dinner cruises, brunch cruises, exploring the estuary, golfing, miniature golfing, camping, surfing and simply relaxing on the long, sandy beach.

Morro Rock: Landmark of the Ages
We began our visit at Morro Rock, the city's 576-foot-tall landmark. Its name is a little redundant: morro, or moro, is Spanish for "rock." The gigantic 20-million-year-old rock juts from the ocean at the mouth of the bay. It's one in a chain of nine lava plugs that extend east past San Luis Obispo. While others are popular among hikers (like Bishop Peak in San Luis Obispo), no climbing or hiking is allowed on Morro Rock. It's dangerous, and it's also a nesting place for the rare Peregrine Falcon.

Waves and dangerous currents once protected the rock, sometimes referred to as "The Gibraltar of the Pacific," from all sides. According to various local historians, early written references to the landmark date back to 1542 when explorer Juan Cabrillo took note of it.

Today, Morro Rock is accessible by car, bicycle or on foot via the World War II era causeway at the end of Embarcadero. Visitors often sport binoculars in hopes of catching a glimpse of the endangered Peregrine Falcons that nest high in the crags, and the otters that raft in the ocean eddies below.

"It's a real peaceful place to watch for birds and I like the breeze and the fog and the smell of the ocean," said Lee Jones of Visalia, out visiting the Rock one morning.

The Embarcadero: Galleries, Imports, Fun, Food & Fish
Next stop: the Embarcadero for some window-shopping. We started with no intention of spending.

Oops!

Though the Embarcadero has its fair share of shops featuring postcards, t-shirts and other memorabilia, the percentage of art studios and specialty stores has increased tremendously since my childhood visits decades ago.

Some of the shops, like Sun n' Buns Bakery and Jittery Joe's coffee house, caught our attention with their humor. Southern Port Traders' window display of clothing, art and instruments from Africa and Asia drew us in; then we drew out our credit cards.

We found shops featuring seascape paintings, British imports, kites, toys, children's clothes, postcards, t-shirts and Thomas Kinkade prints. More than one shop featured inventory made entirely of seashells.

Photo by Jennifer Best

Dining: Lots of Choices, Lots of Great Food
Choosing a place for lunch was a challenge. One of my favorites is The Great American Fish Company, 1185 Embarcadero, for fresh seafood. Locals recommended Dorn's Original Breakers Café, 801 Market Ave., with its great bay views, legendary entrees and tasty deserts; Hofbrau der Albatross, 571 Embarcadero; and Chapala Market, 2816 Main St., or Papa Julio's, 430 Morro Bay Boulevard, for authentic Mexican food.

Though we were in seafood central, the younger set was more interested in watching the sea life and enjoying the sunshine than eating a fresh catch. We opted for the outdoor dining behind the transparent windbreak at Blue Skye Deli Café, 699 Embarcadero, on the bay side of Marina Square.

We were treated not to your typical ham and Swiss, but gourmet fare. A tomato and mozzarella bolo with vinaigrette, and a bowl of leek and cheese soup were my prizes. So was the visit by an otter, which floated on the bay and feasted only a few feet away from us on the freshest bay catch he pulled onto his chest. He devoured his lunch as a seagull floated nearby, waiting for leftovers.

Parks Galore for Kids
Our feet rested, our tummies full, we were off to Tidelands Park at the south end of The Embarcadero. Once there, each child, and child-at-heart, played roles on a wooden ship in the park's sea of sand overlooking the bay. Then it was back to the Embarcadero for ice cream, chocolates and salt water taffy in one stop at Crill's II, 903 Embarcadero.

A quick cruise up Morro Bay Boulevard on our way home offered a taste of plenty of shopping and dining for another day. Next visit: whale watching...or maybe the Natural History Museum...or a hike to the top of Black Hill...or...or...or

We decided we'd be back on another Day Trip soon.

Writer Jennifer Best is a Central Coast Native who enjoys exploring new beaches and parks with her husband, baby and friends.

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