A simple line drawing of a delicate flower with a single stem and small petals.

Fun Things to Do in Morro Bay with Kids


Mornings are magic here. The fog hangs low, the beaches are quiet, and the sand is full of treasures waiting to be found. The girls ran barefoot along the shoreline, scanning for sand dollars and tiny shells. We found so many — some whole, many beautifully broken — along with bits of sea glass worn smooth by the tide. Beach combing in Morro Bay isn’t really about what you find. It’s about slowing down enough to look. There’s something about the first glimpse of Morro Bay that makes you exhale a little deeper. Maybe it’s the way Morro Rock rises steady and timeless from the water. Or the salty breeze that tangles everyone’s hair before you’ve even parked the car. Visiting Morro Bay with kids feels slower than other California coastal towns — softer, simpler, nostalgic in a way that sneaks up on you. If you’re planning a Morro Bay family getaway, here’s what it looked like for us — sandy hands, pockets full of shells, saltwater taffy sticking to little fingers, and full hearts. Here's a few of our favorite things from our trip:


  • Beach Combing for Shells and Sand Dollars -See the list below for our favorite places to go with the best shelling! We found so many shells and the most beautiful sea glass.
  • Go Treasure Hunting ! There are so many little vintage and antique stores in this little town. I'm pretty sure we stopped at least six of them! We had so much fun looking at all of the old items and laughing about finding my childhood toys in an antique store. Wow talk about making me feel old!
  • Kayaking the Harbor-Hands down the best place to rent from is the Kayak Shack! Rent paddle-boards or kayaks along the Embarcadero or near the and explore the calm bay waters.
  • Visit the Museum of Natural History -The Museum of Natural History inside Morro Bay State Park is small but perfect for children. Interactive exhibits about marine life and birds make it educational without being overwhelming — and the hilltop views are beautiful. You can even see some stone mortars the local Chumash Indians made .
  • Explore Montaña de Oro-There are so many trails to hike and walk on! Take a picnic and enjoy the day!
  • Catch a sunset or some hermit crabs while tide pooling at Spooner’s Cove. This is definitely a family favorite.!
  • A Drive to Cayucos Pier-Just north of Morro Bay, Cayucos feels like stepping into an old postcard. The girls counted planks on the pier and watched surfers drift in and out beyond the harbor. It’s quiet, nostalgic, and worth the short coastal drive. We actually parked at Sand Dollar Beach and then walked all the way to the pier. Once there we had so much fun watching a group of local surfers.
  • Find delicious local places to eat the catch of the day, salt water candy and fresh daily baked goods.
  • Check out the Central Coast's largest selection of shells. Renowned throughout the world, the Shell Shop is the place to find decorative shells and corals, specimen collector shells, unique crafted sea shell jewelry, shell handcraft, and so much more! 
  • See a movie at the local Bay Theater where there is only one screen! Don't worry if you miss a showing, come back for the later one! They offer a great variety of concessions and the seats are super comfy.
Kayak rental shack on a wooden pier overlooking calm waters with mountains in the background.
Panoramic view of a floating dock and boat marina with mountains in the background on a sunny day.


Beach Combing in Morro Bay with Kids

Morro Bay isn’t flashy — and that’s part of its charm. The fun here is simple and meaningful. Our favorite past time by the ocean is to beach comb and look for glass, seashells, sand crabs, and sand dollars.


BEST BEACHES IN MORRO BAY FOR SAND DOLLARS

If your kids are determined to find sand dollars, timing and location matter. There’s something truly grounding about teaching your children to notice the ordinary.

  • Morro Strand State Beach – Just north of Morro Rock, this long stretch of shoreline is one of the best places to find sand dollars after a tide shift. Go at low tide or early in the morning when they’re more likely to be intact. Look along the wrack line where seaweed collects. We also got to find some green and blue seaglass!
  • Montaña de Oro State Park – Spooner’s Cove can occasionally yield sand dollars and shells, and the dramatic cliffs and tide pools make it worth the stop.


TIPS FOR BEACH COMBING WITH KIDS:

  • Go early for fewer crowds and calmer winds.
  • Check the tide charts and aim for low tide.
  • Bring a small mesh bag — but set a “few favorites only” rule.
  • Leave living creatures behind and collect empty shells only.
  • Dress in layers — even summer mornings can be chilly.


White seagulls soar against a rocky mountain backdrop under a cloudy sky.
A wooden fishing pier extends into the ocean under a soft cloudy sky at sunset along a sandy beach.
Aerial view of colorful beach umbrellas and sunbathers scattered across white sandy beach on a sunny day.
Under a wooden pier, waves create reflections and shadows on the wet sand during low tide at the beach.
Sailboats and yachts docked at a peaceful marina with tall masts against a light blue sky captured by Chelsee Rawe Photography


Watching Sea Otters in Morro Bay


One of the most magical parts of visiting Morro Bay with kids isn’t on the open beach — it’s in the harbor. Sea otters float on their backs near the Embarcadero, often wrapped in kelp, cracking shells on their chests. The first time the girls spotted one, they whispered like we were in a cathedral. They were so excited and had never seen an otter this close. It was love at first sight. I'll never forget their squeals of laughter and delight as they watched the otters float on their back and curl gracefully around in the kelp. We stumbled upon a group of mothers with their babies and honestly it was the most precious sight ever.


BEST TIPS & PLACES TO SEE OTTERS:

  • Along the Embarcadero waterfront, especially near the marina docks (there’s even an otter nursery area just off the boardwalk).
  • Near the kayak launch areas where the water is calm.
  • From the shoreline across from Morro Rock on still mornings.
  • Bring binoculars.
  • Go in the morning when wildlife is most active.
  • Remind kids to observe quietly and respectfully.
  • Watching otters drift peacefully while your children lean over the railing beside you — that’s the kind of travel memory that lingers.


Otters playing in the water near the boardwalk

Antiquing & Treasure Hunting


The antique shops tucked along the main streets are full of small, meaningful finds — vintage books, worn brass candlesticks, handmade quilts, & old frames waiting for new photographs. Antiquing with kids requires patience (and clear “looking eyes, not touching hands” reminders), but it also becomes its own kind of treasure hunt. Let them search for one small item within a budget — a vintage postcard, a pin or patch, a tiny trinket — something to remember the trip by. I couldn't part bare to part ways with an antique wooden elm stool and so it came home with me. We found some vintage cameos and anchor earrings that we just couldn't pass on either. I'm still regretting not buying that old wooden sled and pair of skis. I'm not sure what I'd do with them, but they were just so neat. I almost bought some old letters from WW2 from a husband and wife. I loved the details of their days to each other. I couldn't help but think about their lives and what happened to them. Walking into Taralee's Antiques felt like stepping into a time machine the moment you walked into it. From the smell, to finding the glass bowls my grandma used to have, I loved searching along the dusty shelves of all these eclectic collections. After a long day of treasure hunting we decided to stop at Dorn's Breakers Cafe. Somewhat of an antique itself the food was delicious ad the service was so friendly.

Weathered fishing crab pots with colorful buoys and ropes stacked together on a dock in muted tones.

Where to Eat in Morro Bay

Vacation food always tastes better by the ocean. But... watch out for the seagulls! Here are some of favorites culinary delights along our trip!


  • Bayside Cafe - Tucked near the Museum of Natural History inside Morro Bay State Park, Bayside Cafe feels like a local secret. After walking the trails, we sat outside under the trees overlooking the bay while and I add delicious fresh caught meals with a healthy serving of the best carrot cake with cream cheese frosting and boysenberry crumble with a shot of heavy cream. . Simple, fresh food — salads, sandwiches, seafood — and space to breathe.
  • Dorn's Breakers Cafe- Is a long standing family owned seafood and American restaurant known for its classic dishes and breakfast options. We ate here several times since it was close to our hotel and it didn't disappoint! I only regret not having a bigger stomach. My girls especially loved their fried zucchini sticks with ranch. My favorite meal was the ahi seared entree with pilaf rice and vegetables. Despite not being directly on the water, it offers good vies of Morro Rock from many seats.
  • Carousel Taffy- No Morro Bay trip is complete without salt water taffy. We let each child choose a few flavors — watermelon, cotton candy, something electric blue that stained their tongues for hours. Not going to lie, I think I may have eaten my weight of this nostalgic childhood candy .
  • The Dough Connections-We found the cutest shop selling cookie dough by the scoop, like ice cream! Chocolate chip was a must, but strawberries and cream surprised us all. Not too messy, sugary, unnecessary — and completely perfect. They offer ice-cream as well and the cookie dough is completely safe to eat.
  • Scout Coffee-This coffee stop isn't your regular coffee place. It is beautiful! It has a curated boutique shop, great atmosphere, fantastic drinks and daily scratch made pastries and chia seed cups. Once you step inside you can see why it is the most sought after coffee destination on the Central Coast.
  • Giovanni's - Is a family owned seafood market and restaurant know for its fresh local, and sustainably sourced seafood. While everything on the menu looked delicious we ordered the clam chowder and it was hands down the best I've ever had! We also loved the fish and chips as well as the fish tacos and BBQ oysters. They had takeout and outdoor seating as well as offering online ordering and delivery of their fresh seafood products. My girls squealed in delight watching the live crabs and lobsters. Fair warning... it is a little fishy over there, but the views can't be beat. The outdoor seating offers a great view of Morro Rock.


Panoramic view of Cayucos Beach and pier with coastal homes and rolling hills in the background.

Traveling with children doesn’t have to mean theme parks and packed itineraries. Sometimes it looks like wandering through antique stores, pausing for snacks, and letting the day unfold naturally. A Morro Bay family vacation isn’t about rushing from one attraction to the next. It’s windblown hair and sandy toes. It’s collecting sand dollars at sunrise. It’s sea otters floating lazily in the harbor. It’s surfers rising and falling with the tide. It’s salt water taffy and cookie dough and sticky hands. It’s simple. And in a world that rarely slows down, that simplicity feels almost sacred. Long after the shells are lined up on your windowsill at home, you’ll remember how it felt — salt in the air, bare feet in the sand, your family together beneath the steady shadow of Morro Rock. That’s the magic of Morro Bay. If you want to capture the magic of your own favorite family outing or beach day let's connect!

Scenic panoramic view of a beach at sunset with waves crashing against rocky outcrops in the distance.

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Bay Area Family, Newborn Maternity & Motherhood Film Photographer

Chelsee Rawe Photography documents newborns, families, motherhood, and intimate moments throughout the Bay Area beach with a refined, editorial approach. Each session is thoughtfully planned to create images that feel natural, emotional, and enduring.