Morro Bay, California
Morro Bay in California is a must-visit for outdoor adventures. The top attraction is the Black Hill Trail, a 0.6-mile hike with a scenic view of the bay, perfect for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and bird watching. Another must-visit is the Morro Bay State Park, with its saltwater marsh and heron rookery. The park offers bird-watching, fishing, and sailing. Near Morro Bay, Montaña de Oro State Park has sandy beaches, coastal plains, and canyons. This park is best for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. For a unique outdoor activity, visit the Elfin Forest, home to rare plants and animals. The best Trails and Outdoor Activities in Morro Bay provide a unique mix of sea and land adventures.
Top Spots in and near Morro Bay
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Big Sur, California
Salmon Creek Falls
5.00.29 mi / 102 ft gainThe trailhead to Salmon Creek Falls is located along a pullout just 45 miles south of Pfieffer Burns State Park on the Highway 1. The falls are only about .25 miles from the trailhead, perfect for a quick visit if you are already driving through Big Sur. Though the Salmon Creek Trail continues on...Read more -
Big Sur, California
Salmon Creek Trail to Spruce & Estrella Camps
4.56.07 mi / 1919 ft gainFeel free to hike Salmon Creek Trail at your own pace – you can choose to turn back at any point, or at the Spruce (2 miles in) or Estrella (3.25 miles in) sites. The trail leads to open vistas of the coast, giving stunning views of the cliffs and ocean. Around 2 miles in, follow the fork to the...Read more -
Orcutt, California
Hike or Trail Run the Rice Ranch Trail
4.03.2 mi / 400 ft gainHike, mountain bike, or trail run the Rice Ranch Trail in Orcutt, CA. This park is relatively small, but a great place for a hike or run. I did a 3 mile loop and could easily have added on a couple more miles. Hike up to water towers at the top and enjoy views overlooking Santa Maria Valley and o...Read more -
Santa Maria, California
Cycle the Palmer and Cat Canyon Roads in Santa Maria Valley
30 miYou can't go wrong with cycling around the Santa Maria Valley area. There is an abundance of interesting roads to ride along with scenic hills meandering through wineries. I started my ride at the Los Flores Ranch Park parking lot and headed east along Dominion. Take a right on Palmer and follow...Read more -
Santa Maria, California
Manzanita, Ridgetop & Solomon Trail Loop
3.61 mi / 558 ft gainI'm a sucker for a good ridgeline trail, and Los Flores Ranch Park has lots of them. For a solid 5ish mile loop with about 600 ft of elevation gain, take the Manzanita Trail to the Ridge Top Trail for sweeping views of the valley, vineyards, and out to the ocean on a clear day. The Solomon Trail...Read more -
Monterey County, California
Camp at San Martin Top
San Martin Top is a magical spot overlooking the coast in Big Sur. Accessible via a rutted, windy dirt road, it’s remote enough to guarantee some privacy though you’ll see fellow adventurous souls on surrounding ridges. Take care on the drive up, then set up camp overlooking the ocean or rolling ...Read more -
Big Sur, CaliforniaLuxurious Camping at Treebones Resort
5.0If you’ve always wanted to experience Big Sur, but sleeping on the ground isn’t really your thing, Treebones might be exactly what you’re looking for. Nestled along Big Sur’s beautiful coastline, Treebones Resort offers expansive views and easy access to everything the area has to offer. With a t...Read more
