Overview
Morro Bay is a city in San Luis Obispo County in California, which is on the west coast of the United States adjacent to the Pacific Ocean. You can find it roughly in the middle of the state's coastline between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Being on the Pacific coast, like it is, affords citizens and visitors a variety of opportunities to enjoy nature from inland areas to maritime pursuits.
Birding potential is enormous here, as are opportunities for wildlife observation.
It's been said San Luis Obispo and Morro Bay are two of the best bird watching locations in Central California. Around Cal Poly is excellent birdwatching, and Morro Bay during low tide is terrific.
Birds
Notable Species
The harbor area of Morro Bay has had, over time, as many as 185 species recorded as being sighted here. In that time, the top 5 most sighted species have been the Brown Pelican, Western Sandpiper, Marbled Godwit, Willet, and Brant.
In more recent times, the top 5 most sighted species are the California Gull, Elegant Tern, Brant, Heermann's Gull, and Bufflehead.
Rarities
While no particular species are reported as rare in the available resources, there are some species that aren't seen often such as the California State Bird, the California Quail, Red-necked Grebe, Allen's Hummingbird, Wandering Tattler, Common Murre, Rhinoceros Auklet, and Arctic Loon.
Check-list
Birds you can see here include:
California Gull,Elegant Tern,Brant,Heermann's Gull,Bufflehead,White-throated Swift,Western Gull,Cedar Waxwing,Brown Pelican,Double-crested Cormorant,Lesser Scaup,Eared Grebe,Western Sandpiper,Green-winged Teal,Greater Scaup,American Coot,Long-billed Dowitcher,Black-crowned Night-heron,Violet-green Swallow,Barn Swallow,Black Skimmer,Red-necked Phalarope,Ring-billed Gull,Rock Pigeon,Common Loon,American White Pelican,Turkey Vulture,European Starling,Horned Grebe,Whimbrel,Tricolored Blackbird,Surf Scoter,White-winged Scoter,Eurasian Collared-Dove,Marbled Godwit,Dunlin,Bonaparte's Gull,Royal Tern,Brandt's Cormorant,Cliff Swallow
Other Wildlife
In addition to Morro Bay's bird species, the area claims lots of sea species.
The North Morro Bay's tide pools are an excellent place to observe without undue pressure to them.
Morro Bay has Sea Otters present all year-round, as can whales swimming off the coast. A suggested time for Grey Whales is December to April, Humpback Whales April to December, and Blue Whales June to October.
Monarch Butterflies gather in the Morro Bay State Park's Eucalyptus groves on their migration, usually between December to March.
Site Information
History and Use
The Morro Bay area traces its history back to the Chumash and Salinan people, with visitors from other countries back as far as the 16th century.
It received its name when in the mid-1500's Portuguese explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo named the bay's landmark promontory El Morro, a Spanish description for crown-shaped rock.
Areas of Interest
There are numerous Hotspots shown on eBird for this area (See the map below)
Morro Rock is a large remnant of a long extinct volcanic range that is now a protected area for birds and the nesting Peregrine Falcon.
Morro Bay State Marine Recreational Management Area and Morro Bay State Marine Reserve are two local areas set up to protect the area's natural species.
Morro Bay State Park is a unit of the California State Park system providing amenities and opportunities for the enjoyment of nature.
Morro Strand State Beach is another unit of the California State Park system providing amenities and opportunities for the enjoyment of nature.
Access and Facilities
Consult a trusted travel professional for specific, up-to-date information regarding travel. and amenities in this area.
References
- eBird – Morro Bay Harbor - https://ebird.org/hotspot/L4486780
- Official Tourism Site – Morro Bay - https://www.morrobay.org/
- City of Morro Bay – Official site - https://www.morro-bay.ca.us/
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Morro Bay. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 6 May 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Morro_Bay
Maps
Content and images originally posted by Pumpkinman
