Morro Rock Beach

Nestled in a secluded spot along California’s northern coastline, Morro Rock is one of the state’s most naturally beautiful beaches.

The Morro Rock itself stands at around 576 feet tall and was formed millions of years ago from volcanic rock. Until the mid-sixties it was regularly mined, partly for breakwaters, but by the end of the decade it had been recognised as a California State Landmark and a California Registered Historical Landmark. Nowadays, the rock is a designated bird sanctuary for peregrine falcons and other bird species.

As for the beach, unlike most of the sandy spots in the south of the state, this one’s a far more rugged affair, with a mix of rocks and sand. That said, if it is soft sands you’re after, you’ll find plenty of space to catch the rays on.

Amenities-wise, there’s ample parking space right by the beach, and restrooms are on hand too. Lifeguards are on duty during the daytime in the summer months and it’s a good idea to have a chat with them before taking a dip as the waters can get very choppy here. 

As a result, you’ll probably see plenty of surfers, but if you’re not experienced then it’s probably better to practice at one of the less rocky beaches along the coast.

On the facilities front, there are no bars or restaurants to grab food and drink from so you’ll need to bring your own snacks if you’re setting up camp for the day. However, if you do need supplies or a sit-down meal at the end of a day’s sunbathing, then Morro Bay has a tonne of seafront eateries that are within a 15-minute stroll from the beach.