Driving Time: 1 hour
Exit US 101 at California Highway 1 in San Luis Obispo and follow the signs. You'll pass the entrance to California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly for short) and soon drive out of town. About 10 miles from where you left US 101, you'll reach the coast and the town of Morro Bay.
North of Morro Bay, the highway runs close to water. The dark-colored patches in the water are kelp beds (find photo w/ info)
Even if you don't plan to stop for long, it's worth your time to take a driving detour into Cayucos, one of California's cutest little beach towns. Exit at Ocean Avenue, the town's main street which intersects the highway on both its north and south ends.
You'll find another short but scenic side drive north of Cambria, on Moonstone Beach Drive.
Points of Interest
Morro Rock: You can't miss the big rock that gives the town of Morro Bay its name. It's the last of the Seven Sisters, a chain of even worn-down, ancient volcanoes that lie between Morro Bay and San Luis Obispo.
- Harmony: This tiny place got a lot of press coverage a few years ago, so you may have heard about it. You'll find a winery there and a small pottery shop, but not much else.
- If you're lucky, you may see one of the oddest sights I've experienced in this part of California - a herd of zebras grazing alongside the highway. We found them near call box number 1-538 just south of San Simeon, but it's easy to know they're around because of the cars pulled off with people out photographing them.
Side Trips
Any of the towns along this stretch of coast have enough to do to keep you busy for a day or two.
- Morro Bay: A laid-back town with a nice, protected harbor, especially popular with families
- Cayucos: Cute, little, a bit old-fashioned, with a nice pier and beach
- Cambria: Pronounced cam bree uh, its the most artsy of the area towns, with lots of art galleries, bed and breakfast inns and lodging strung along a pretty coastal road.
Primary Needs
There are plenty of places to get gasoline and food along the road.