We recently took our baby on a Pacific Coast Highway road trip up the Central California coast, starting from our home near Los Angeles. During the trip, we stayed in Morro Bay and enjoyed beautiful scenery while looking for local wildlife. Keep reading to find some must-visit sites along the road.
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Spot a Sea Otter
Visit the South T Pier to spot a sea otter- possibly one carrying a baby. These darling animals may look furry and friendly, but they are closely related to wolverines and badgers, so you will want to keep your distance! In order to see them, park behind the Great American Fish Company and take a stroll along the Embarcadero. We stopped to grab a delicious seasonal latte from a locally owned coffee shop.
Visit the Morro Rock
Nothing can prepare you for the massive size of this rock! After walking the Embarcadero and watching the sea otters, follow to the sidewalk to reach the base of the rock. This area has an abundant sea otter population in the late afternoon as well. Bring a jacket- it gets very windy!
Walk Morro Strand State Beach
This sandy, deserted beach has one of the best views of the Morro Rock. Park in the neighborhood and take a long stroll along the beach, looking out for shells as you go. Don’t forget to catch one of California’s famous sunsets here as well- the views are spectacular.
Visit the San Simeon Elephant Seals
Enormous elephant seals visit the beach at San Simeon throughout several months of the year. Look closely and you can see the male elephant seals with their gigantic rostrums. Males will protect the beach (and the females) by warding off other males. This beach has an excellent walkway to get a close up (but not too close) view of these elephant seals. Continue along the walkway for more beautiful coastal views.
Parking is plentiful and free, and the area often has docents to answer your questions. If you have a jogging stroller like ours, you can navigate this path without issue. Strollers with smaller wheels will have a tougher time.
Stroll the Boardwalk at Moonstone Beach in Cambria
This stunning beach has an extensive boardwalk that is stroller friendly. There are plenty of opportunities to walk along the sand and explore the tide pools. For the full experience, park near Leffinwell Creek and walk on the boardwalk above the cliffs. You will pass through native plantlife before reaching the tide pool area and the sandy beach.
Protect Your Trip
If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us anything, it is that insurance is necessary to protect our travel investments and keep our family safe on the road. Depending on the policy that you choose, travel insurance can protect your family in the event of medical emergencies and canceled trips. It also takes the sting out of minor trip mishaps, such as lost baggage and delayed flights. Check out Squaremouth to compare plans and choose one that fits your family.
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