Morro Bay-Morro Rock

If you don’t think that guy looks chilly, wait until you duck dive.

Morro Bay-Morro Rock

For a real Central California vibe, visit Morro Rock located 20 minutes north of Pismo Beach. Morro Rock is a 576-foot volcanic plug formed from extinct volcanos about 23 million years ago that sits adjacent to a harbor and kicks off the break with a mushier left off the rock. The waves transform into chunkier beach breaks galore as you head north towards San Simeon. The locals are a little on the frosty side. I guess you wouldn’t be smiling either if you had to wear a 4/3 wetsuit and hood almost all year.

Chilly water-chilly locals-chilly vibe meter (see below).

The wind comes in strong from the inland valleys and between the mushier wave and offshores, unless you weigh more than 150 pounds or have a fatter board, catching a wave is a little tougher on that potato chip. Make sure to bring a board with some volume.

What the locals say:

I was too afraid to talk to them. I thought they might swallow my soul.

Peaks:

Morro Rock, nunyabusiness

Nicknames:

There’s no smiling in surfing. Nicknames are for the weak.

The rock was coined “Morro” by Spanish settlers in 1542, which means “crown shaped hill.” It is sometimes called the “Gibraltar of the Pacific.”

Highlights: Morro Bay State Park is considered a historic landmark. In the dirt parking lot at the rock, follow the paved path to the lagoon side of the rock (opposite the surf side) and you will find…more rocks. This is also a bird sanctuary, if in case you couldn’t already tell by the rocks coated with white bird shit. It’s still a fun view because you will also most definitely see some cute sea otters cracking mussels on their tummies. Worth it.