Best Dog-Friendly Day in Morro Bay!

Morro Bay is one of the most relaxed beaches in California, & like much of the Central Coast, feels like the California of 20 years ago….when there were a lot less people!  I grew up in San Clemente, a laid-back surf town in Orange County ~ that has now turned “hip.”  Morro Bay reminds me of the San Clemente of my childhood, when life was a little simpler & people were a little kinder.  I recently took a Highway One road trip with my sidekick & best buddy, Dylan ~ & our first stop was Morro Bay.  We’ll walk you through the best dog-friendly day in Morro Bay here!

Join me & Dylan on our California Highway 1 road trip! First stop: Morro Bay..

Map of Morro Bay

Best Pet-Friendly Hotels in Morro Bay

First off, you need a pet-friendly place to stay the night in Morro Bay, right?  Let’s take a look at your options.  When I set out to research pet-friendly hotels, I narrowed it down to five choices: with Pleasant Inn at the top of the list.  What put it at the top?  Their rooms are darling & newly renovated, but still with a cozy feel ~ & they’re located just two blocks from the water.  Plus, they’re reasonably priced ($120+/night), with the cheapest pet fee in town ($10).  My room was on the corner, with a partial view of the ocean, as well as a kitchen.

My king-sized room at the Pleasant Inn. Photo courtesy of Pleasant Inn.

What are some other good, pet-friendly hotel options in Morro Bay?  If you want to be right on the water, try Bayfront Inn on the Waterfront (though rooms aren’t as cute as the Pleasant Inn) for $125+/night, or 436 Embarcadero Inn & Suites (well-appointed rooms) for $140+/night.  If you like to golf, check out the Inn at Morro Bay ($127+/night), located next to Morro Bay Golf Course.

Best Dog-Friendly Day in Morro Bay

You’ve got a place to rest your head for the night, so now you need a great, dog-friendly spot to grab your morning joe, eh?  Head to Top Dog Coffee, located right in the center of town, one block from Pleasant Inn.  Yes, of course your dog is welcome here, & more good news?  Breakfast is served ALL DAY!!  Open 7AM-5:30PM.

Try the breakfast sandwich at Top Dog Coffee, then hang out on the patio with your pooch & meet some locals!

Take a Stroll on the Beach

The best thing about Morro Bay is that you’ve got plenty of coastal access, both in the harbor (where we found many barking seals), & out towards Morro Rock, & the beach just to the right (north) of it.  Dylan & I strolled on the sand dunes near the rock, which was an easy walk from the Pleasant Inn.  Plenty of surfers were out in the water, even on a cool morning.  When you walk back through the harbor area, pick out your favorite restaurant for dinner tonight! 

For your afternoon in Morro Bay, take your pick of any of the following activities: paddle-boarding (adventurous pups welcome!) or kayaking in the bay, surfing, golfing, wine-tasting with your pup with The Wine Wrangler, hiking Black Hill Trail (dog-friendly & above Morro Bay Golf Course), or head down to Avila Beach & enjoy their off-leash beach near the old pier.  Dog-friendly options here are pretty much endless…

You can’t visit Morro Bay without taking a stroll (or a bike) along the beach. Photo courtesy of Pleasant Inn.

Dinner on the Waterfront

For a relatively small town, you’ve got plenty of dining options in Morro Bay, with many of them located right on the waterfront.  If your pup isn’t too tired, bring him along to some dog-friendly patios like the Blue Skye Coastal Cafe, Dutchman’s Seafood House, or Rose’s Landing ~ all located on the Embarcadero (waterfront).  But my pick for the best dinner in Morro Bay goes to: Windows on the Water.  You need to leave your pooch behind here, but it’s worth it: it’s still to this day, one of my family’s favorite seafood meals EVER.

Windows on the Water, in Morro Bay, CA.

Best Dog-Friendly Day in Morro Bay!