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Thursday, February 5, 2015

Morro Bay, California is a Lover's Paradise


Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and oooo lala do I have a place for you!

With plenty of romance, adventure, culture and gastronomies, it’s easy to fall in love with this quaint seaside village. Visually recognized from the north, south, east and west for miles away by the colossal rock, aka Morro Rock, sitting beautifully on the Pacific Ocean, Morro Bay is love at first sight. For information on how to win a Morro bay vacation, just enter the Reasons To Visit Contest and choose why you can't resist Morro Bay during the beautiful winter months.

Aside from being centrally located between Los Angeles and San Francisco on scenic Highway 1 in San Luis Obispo County, and surrounded by award-winning wine country from Paso Robles to Edna Valley, what makes Morro Bay a romantics' dream? While everyone's version of romance is different, here are 10 top reasons to navigate to Morro Bay when starry-eyed love is calling:

1) Morro Bay Farms one of Nature's Best Known Aphrodisiacs 
Morro Bay sustainably farms one of the world's best known aphrodisiacs at the Morro Bay Oyster Company. Situated on the pristine bay, this 130 acre marine farm can be seen by paddle board, kayak or from a guided tour with Lost Isle Adventure Tours. Looking for a romantic dining experience on the bay? Book an  evening sunset or Sunday brunch cruise with one of the many tour operators along the bustling Embarcadero.

With thriving aquaculture and agriculture industries, fresh seafood and locally grown produce are abundant in Morro Bay.  Surrounding farms and vineyards yield a bounty of outstanding organic produce, fresh seafood and award-winning local wines served with flair at Morro Bay's renowned restaurants, wine bars and craft breweries. 

2) Morro Bay Has a Sand Spit to Picnic on 
What is a sand spit you say? In the case of Morro Bay, this miles long "spit" of beachy sand dunes jets north from Montana De Oro State Park in Los Osos to the south, creating the western barrier between the ocean and Morro Bay. It creates mudflats and channels as part of the Morro Bay National Estuary, perfect for kayaking and wildlife watching. With several kayak rental companies dotted along the Embarcadero and in the Back Bay Marina, there are no shortage of kayaks.

After exploring the bay, pull up on the sand spit in your kayak for a romantic picnic and bottle of local wine.  Morro Bay Wine Seller offers a selection of local and regional wines for taste or purchase, along with specialty cheeses, olive oils and craft beers to pick up and take with you. 




3) Sunsets with Morro Rock

For starters, Morro Rock has its own Facebook page with nearly 5,000 followers. It is undeniably what makes the horizon in this charming village so unique and is irresistibly romantic during sunsets. No matter what restaurant, water craft, outlook spot or hotel room you are in, when it's time for sunset, Morro Rock is the lead character in this romantic scene. 

4) Surrey Bikes and Flying Kites at the Rock

Couples or the entire family will love taking a surrey ride out to the rock along the Harbor Walk and flying kites on the beach. Farmers Kites & Surreys is a one stop rental shop for this romantic adventure. Choose from a large assortment of kites from old fashioned box kites to newfangled sleek high flyers. When you are done flying your kites take your surrey along the Embarcadero for a tasty treat like salt water taffy or tasty cinnamon rolls. 

5) Wine Tasting Navigation along the Embarcadero

Aside from  abundant restaurants serving a variety of award winning local wines, visitors can also have fun sampling the wine bars in town like Bella Vinos, offering a romantic setting overlooking the entire embarcadero in Morro Bay and a warm and friendly atmosphere, and the new Chateau Margene tasting room featuring the delicious varietals the near-by winery is know for including Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux style blends.

Or, stop by Stax Wine Bar & Bistro for a bite on the bay while relaxing by a romantic fire on a plush leather couch. Enjoy lunch or dinner from their Tapas Menu featuring charcuterie, Panini sandwiches, prawn cocktails and more. Are craft brews your romantic elixir? Look no further. The Libertine Pub offers patrons a cozy atmosphere, live music and an expansive beer selection with 48 beers on tap at all times, including their own on-site brews that focus on barrel aged "wild ales." 

6) Bird Watching Mecca for Love Birds

A mecca for bird watching, bird lovers and love birds from around the globe can find more than 200 different bird species in and around the 2,300 acre Morro Bay National Estuary filled with sheltered waters, tidal marshes, mudflats and sea grass beds. From falcons, loons and turkeys to swans, egrets and eagles, there are hours of birds and wildlife to experience along the coastline or from the bay, especially during this heavy migratory season. Couples can rent a double kayak and paddle through the Back Bay mudflats at high tide and personally experience the remarkable variety of birds in their own habitat. Otters and seals are abundant and often seen eating crabs and fish as they float through the bay.

7) Sail with Red Anchor Charters - Red is the Color of Love after All!
Whether you're celebrating a special occasion, like a special wedding anniversary or even the first time you kissed, Red Anchor Charters is known for providing lovers with the most romantic, hospitable, fun, and relaxing first-class boating experience the Central Coast has to offer. Cruise with Red Anchor on Minerva, their 32-foot captained yacht, for a memorable hour, half-day or full-day charter with up to five of your friends on historic Morro Bay's beautiful waters. Red Anchor Charters also offers a romantic sunset dinner cruise. All you have to do is choose a date and time and decide what kind of charter cruise you'd like to experience then just book online

8) Romantic Motoring on the Ocean or in the Bay
Captain your own electric boat and cruise the bay waters with loved ones at your own leisure. Bring your own picnic, blanket, music and libations and enjoy the ride. Or, check out Sub Sea tours for guided bay cruises and whale watching.


For the romantic outdoorsman with the equally sporty companion, a deep sea sport fishing expedition might be your form of romance. Catch salmon, rockfish, lingcod, albacore or whatever is biting on daily fishing trips from Virg's Landing Sport Fishing.They provide live bait in season and you can rent tackle if you need it. You don't need to be an expert to enjoy the romantic rush of the catch. 

9) Hike Ancient Volcanic Peaks
The Nine Sisters or the Morros are a chain of nine volcanic peaks and hills between Morro Bay and San Luis Obispo. Black Hill (also known as Black Mountain) is an ancient 661-foot volcanic peak in Morro Bay State Park. There is a short easy trail to the rocky summit and a longer forested route that climbs through the shade of a eucalyptus forest, oak woodland and Monterey pine groves. From the rocky summit are panoramic views of Morro Bay and the estuary, Estero Point and the nearby Morros of Cerro Cabrillo and Hollister Peak. The ocean views span from Montaña de Oro to San Simeon.
 


10) Cozy, Romantic Hotel Rooms You Never Want to Leave
The newly renovated Cape Cod-style rooms at the Inn at Morro Bay overlook picturesque Morro Bay including the famous rock.  Located within the 4,000 acre State Park and a stone's throw from Morro Bay Golf Course, travelers will enjoy the Inns classic beachy feel. The Andersen Inn located at the north end of the Embarcadero is a contemporary family-run waterfront boutique hotel inspired by the natural elements of sand, sea, and sky. Beautifully unpretentious, the inn offers eight elegantly appointed rooms. The Anderson family also runs the Galley Seafood Grill and Bar which is downstairs, offering some of the best seafood in town. Visitors can also enjoy one of the newest lodging properties offering magnificent Morro Bay views from the luxurious comfort of their Estero Inn Hotel suite. Just walking distance from Morro Bay shopping, dining, kayaking, and fishing, the Estero Inn offers fantastic views of the harbor and the rock.


From elegant waterfront suites, boutique motor lodges, and charming bed & breakfasts, to beautiful beach front vacation rentals, luxurious bay side inns, leading brand hotels, and reliable budget and specialty accommodations, when it comes to romantic lodging Morro Bay offers a variety of optionsthat fit any style and budget.



For more information, visit www.morrobay.org or the town's Facebooktwitter or Pinterest pages.




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