Morro Strand State Beach - North Beach

Located near the southern end of the town of Cayucos, Morro Strand State Beach - North Beach is the northern part of a state-protected beach known as Morro Strand State Beach. The southern part of the beach is wider than the northern part of the beach. The beach has light brown sand and it also has a beautiful backdrop of the mountainous Central California shoreline. The Old Creek meets the ocean near the southern part of the beach. While Morro Strand State Beach - North Beach does not have lifeguards, it has restrooms and picnic tables in its northern part. In addition, the beach also allows dogs on leash. 

Morro Strand State Beach - North Beach offers many fun activities including beachcombing, sunbathing, wildlife watching, picnicking, fishing, swimming, surfing, kitesurfing, windsurfing, paddle boarding, boogie boarding, bodysurfing, kayaking, canoeing, and boating. If you are planning to go into the water near Morro Strand State Beach - North Beach, we recommend being careful as the water here is known to have rip currents. The water near the beach is also home to many animals including seals, sea lions, dolphins, and migrating grey whales (between December and April). If you like birdwatching, you can see many shorebirds on the beach, especially between mid-summer and early spring. In addition, between March and September, parts of the beach and its surrounding areas are also the nesting spot of the western snowy plover, which is listed as an endangered species under the 1973 federal Endangered Species Act. If you are planning to fish in the water near Morro Strand State Beach - North Beach, we recommend complying with the local fishing regulations. The beach offers Instagram-worthy views of the Pacific Ocean, the Morro Rock, and the Central California shoreline.

Getting to Morro Strand State Beach - North Beach is easy - it is located near the intersection of 24th Street and Pacific Avenue, where there is also a free parking lot with restrooms and picnic tables. Another access point for the beach is near its southern end at Studio Drive, which is easily accessible via Pacific Coast Highway and where there is also a free parking lot.

There are many attractions near Morro Strand State Beach - North Beach. Morro Rock is a giant volcanic plug that is a unique geological marvel. The volcanic plug, whose name means "nose" in Spanish, is also a great bird-watching spot - this rock is a nesting place for many bird species including cormorants, gulls, and the locally endangered peregrine falcon. The Morro Bay State Park Museum of Natural History offers interesting exhibits on the local biodiversity, geology, and cultural history. If you are looking for another attraction near Morro Strand State Beach - North Beach, Morro Bay Maritime Museum has interesting exhibits on local maritime history and maritime science and technology. In addition, the museum also has many decommissioned sea vessels on display including a Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle, a San Francisco tugboat, and a Coast Guard rescue boat.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Morro Strand State Beach - North Beach. The upscale Blue Heron Restaurant has nautical-themed decor and serves excellent gourmet dishes. Martin’s Restaurant offers delicious Mexican, Italian, and breakfast dishes including chile rellenos, pasta, pizzas, and burritos. If you are looking for another good and affordable restaurant near Morro Strand State Beach - North Beach, the modestly priced Tacos El Viejon is a Mexican restaurant that offers delicious tacos, burritos, and quesadillas.

If you are looking for a hotel near Morro Strand State Beach - North Beach, there are many great nearby options. The 4-Star Pier View Suites offers many amenities including two restaurants, a creamery, a bar, a spa, and a salon, barbecue spots, and gardens. A more affordable hotel is the 3-Star Ascot Suites that offers many amenities including complimentary breakfast, evening wine tasting sessions, and a rooftop garden. If you are looking for another good and affordable option near Morro Strand State Beach - North Beach, the campground at Morro Strand State Beach accommodates both RVs and tents and offers many amenities including restrooms, fire rings, and hook-ups for RVs. Campers staying on this campground can use showers available at the nearby Morro Bay State Park with proof of registration.