Morro Bay or Pismo Beach?
Mar 6th, 2005, 05:51 PM
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Morro Bay or Pismo Beach?
We are driving to San Francisco from Laguna Beach, we are looking for a central stop for two nights. I have found good deals at both The Inn at Morro Bay and The Cliffs Resort in Pismo Beach. We plan to do some winery visits and see SLO any comments on either property and are these locations convenient?
Mar 7th, 2005, 09:21 AM
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We enjoyed our stay at the Inn @ Morro Bay. We had a view room with a soft-tub jacuzzi on our deck. Rooms are on the small side, but very nice. The feather beds are very comfortable. 
They have a very nice restaurant, pool, spa and complimentary bikes that we had fun riding around. Have fun! ***kim***
They have a very nice restaurant, pool, spa and complimentary bikes that we had fun riding around. Have fun! ***kim***
Mar 7th, 2005, 02:45 PM
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Here's another recommendation for Morro Bay -it's a wonderful community there and the restaurants are awesome. There are usually some seals out in the bay, sometimes right in the harbor by the boats - lots of fun to watch AND listen to. There are some neat little gift shops right on the water and also a salt water taffy factory & store. There's a small beach adjacent to "The Rock" and it's just a lovely place to be. The Inn is wonderful too and I'm sure you'd enjoy it.
Mar 7th, 2005, 03:15 PM
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I like both Morro Bay and Pismo Beach and they both have their selling points.
Morro Bay is more of a bay-side fishing village and Pismo Beach is more of a California beach town. Both are convinient to SLO. Morro Bay is closer to Cambria and I think Pismo Beach is closer to the Santa Ynez valley where there are supposed to be some good wineries.
I think you would do well with either.
Morro Bay is more of a bay-side fishing village and Pismo Beach is more of a California beach town. Both are convinient to SLO. Morro Bay is closer to Cambria and I think Pismo Beach is closer to the Santa Ynez valley where there are supposed to be some good wineries.
I think you would do well with either.
Mar 7th, 2005, 03:32 PM
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I'm going to voice some opposition here because while Morro Bay is a great place to visit... if you want to visit wineries, it is not the most convenient location. If you wish to visit wineries in the Paso Robles area, you would do best to stay in Paso Robles or in Cambria. (Justin Inn, Paso Robles Inn, Hampton Inn or one of the inns in Cambria) If you play to tour the Santa Maria Valley/Santa Ynez wineries, then you would want to stay in Santa Maria (The Historic Santa Maria Inn) or Santa Ynez. If you want to spend a day at Paso/SLO and maybe a day south as well... then Pismo would be your best bet. (Check rates at the SeaVenture, too!) Happy to answer more specific questions if you have them in more detail later tonight!
Mar 7th, 2005, 03:48 PM
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hi moneygirl, I'm also a fan of the Sea Venture Resort. Very nice! We had the oceanview room with the soft-tub jacuzzi. Tho the rooms are a bit small, the location is excellent, directly on the beach. We enjoyed riding around town on the complimentary surrey bikes there. ***kim***
***kim***
Mar 7th, 2005, 05:59 PM
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Thanks for all the info, I did book the Inn at Morro Bay, but I will investigate Sea Venture Resort(Moneygirl).
If the wineries work out that will be fine, we are novices anyways. I see some interesting info on hiking trails that will suit my teenage daughters, so I am now very excited to visit this area.
After 3 months of planning our 18 day trip to Las Vegas and California, Morro Bay was the final booking, we leave on Thursday.Thanks again for the help and advice all you amazing Fodorites!!
If the wineries work out that will be fine, we are novices anyways. I see some interesting info on hiking trails that will suit my teenage daughters, so I am now very excited to visit this area.
After 3 months of planning our 18 day trip to Las Vegas and California, Morro Bay was the final booking, we leave on Thursday.Thanks again for the help and advice all you amazing Fodorites!!
Mar 7th, 2005, 07:03 PM
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You will have a wonderful time! If you are going as far south as SLO, do check out Montana de Oro, it is a beautiful park with lots of good hikes. Enjoy your trip! Treana Winery is just east of Paso Robles on the 46 and although I haven't tasted wines there, the property is beautiful and I have always wanted to stop there!
Mar 7th, 2005, 07:11 PM
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kimamon/moneygirl,I will definitely report back in April, while we are on the subject any restaurant recommendations for the Morro Bay/SLO area, moderate price and fun for two teenage girls.
Mar 7th, 2005, 08:13 PM
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To continue.....Just a little south of the Inn @ Morro Bay is a small museum upon a little hill--worth a visit, across from that is beautiful golf course which is next door to Morro Bay State Park (info for future campers and RV people)
In the "main" part of town is a "internet" coffee shop named "2dog "after people who owned it because they had two dogs !!! Across the street is a GREAT bookstore call Coalesce. Lot of new and used books, candles, "aromastuff",jewelry, scarves AND a little garden out back used for meditation and weddings..
Two or three blocks uptown (across from movie theater) Is the "Cotton Ball"wonderful fabric, craft supplies and known all over for its quilting supplies. It is worth a visit even if you don't quilt
IMHO the best restaurant in town is Doran's (next to Blue Sail Inn)great selection and affordable prices. (originally owned and operated by the mayor)
Down along the Embarcdero are lots of shops and restaurants and boats moored along side the dock and Kayaks for rent..Often out in the bay you will see the resident Otter-I don't know if there is more than one or they just take turns showing off... Nice area to walk.
San Luis Obispo is 11 miles east. On the north edge of town is "The Apple Yard" yes--I know it is full of tourists but they have great breakfasts---especially bosenberry jelly on hot biscuits !!!!
17 miles north of Morro Bay on highway one is Cambria. Small village with lots of galleries and antique shops.
About half way to Cambria highway 46 turns east to Paso Robles which is highway 101.
As you can see I DO love Morro Bay area....
P.S. Montana de Oro State Park is near small town of Los Osos which is south of the Inn. It has great tide pools if you can get a" tide book" and time your visit accordingly. Usually can get tide book (which is really just a small pamphlet with dates and high and low tides at specific times of the day ) down on the Embarcadero in one of the bookstores..
Enjoy ......
In the "main" part of town is a "internet" coffee shop named "2dog "after people who owned it because they had two dogs !!! Across the street is a GREAT bookstore call Coalesce. Lot of new and used books, candles, "aromastuff",jewelry, scarves AND a little garden out back used for meditation and weddings..
Two or three blocks uptown (across from movie theater) Is the "Cotton Ball"wonderful fabric, craft supplies and known all over for its quilting supplies. It is worth a visit even if you don't quilt
IMHO the best restaurant in town is Doran's (next to Blue Sail Inn)great selection and affordable prices. (originally owned and operated by the mayor)
Down along the Embarcdero are lots of shops and restaurants and boats moored along side the dock and Kayaks for rent..Often out in the bay you will see the resident Otter-I don't know if there is more than one or they just take turns showing off... Nice area to walk.
San Luis Obispo is 11 miles east. On the north edge of town is "The Apple Yard" yes--I know it is full of tourists but they have great breakfasts---especially bosenberry jelly on hot biscuits !!!!
17 miles north of Morro Bay on highway one is Cambria. Small village with lots of galleries and antique shops.
About half way to Cambria highway 46 turns east to Paso Robles which is highway 101.
As you can see I DO love Morro Bay area....
P.S. Montana de Oro State Park is near small town of Los Osos which is south of the Inn. It has great tide pools if you can get a" tide book" and time your visit accordingly. Usually can get tide book (which is really just a small pamphlet with dates and high and low tides at specific times of the day ) down on the Embarcadero in one of the bookstores..
Enjoy ......
Mar 7th, 2005, 09:16 PM
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My favorite in Cambria is Robin's (it's right on the Main Street)for lunch or dinner, should be hip enough for your girls! In SLO, we like Mother's Tavern (for soups, salads and burger fare) on Higuera, Buona Tavola (italian) and Woodstock's for pizza. A previous poster mentioned Doran's in Morrow Bay, actually it's Dorn's and it is very good.. a classic here on the coast.
Mar 8th, 2005, 12:48 AM
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I've got a few shots of Morro Bay in an album at http://community.webshots.com/user/bookhall . Go to the second album down.
We were there several years ago, and had a great time. Only regret is not spending more time along the coast on that trip. There's always tomorrow, I keep telling myself....
We were there several years ago, and had a great time. Only regret is not spending more time along the coast on that trip. There's always tomorrow, I keep telling myself....
Mar 8th, 2005, 07:08 AM
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Robin's in Cambria is nice, dine outside under the wisteria vines if the weather is nice. The Moonstone Bar & Grill is good, you can sit at "the rail" and take in the gorgeous oceanviews. I like the fish tacos here and Robin's also makes some decent ones!
We have dined at the Buona Tavola in Paso and really enjoyed it. www.btslo.com I've had two mediocre meals at Dorn's and don't care to return there. The restaurant at the Inn @ Morro Bay is probably my favorite in town. ***kim***
We have dined at the Buona Tavola in Paso and really enjoyed it. www.btslo.com I've had two mediocre meals at Dorn's and don't care to return there. The restaurant at the Inn @ Morro Bay is probably my favorite in town. ***kim***
Mar 8th, 2005, 08:40 AM
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The Inn at Morro Bay is a good choice. Some of the area adjacent is a bird sanctuary plus the Natural History Museum is just up the road. Also inside the park is Bayside Cafe which is a little hole-in-the wall beside the marina. The food is good. They serve lunch everyday and dinner Thursday -Sunday (I believe). Another good hole-in-the wall restaurant is Taco Temple on the north side of town parallel to Hwy One. The food is "California Fusion" and is very good. Their desserts are also outstanding.
Should you be there on a Thursday, don't miss the Thursday Night Farmer's Market in downtown San Luis Obispo. One of my favorite restaurants in SLO is Big Sky Cafe. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner and the food is interesting and varied. If the teenage daughters want to see lots of college age people, take them to Firestone Grill on Higuera St. It's very casual but has good burgers, salads and tri-tip. If the weather is nice, Novo has a nice patio overlooking the creek and interesting food (same owner as Cambria's Robin's).
If you decide to go wine tasting you can choose either the Edna Valley area just outside of SLO or go north to Paso Robles. For the Edna Valley you just drive out Broad Street (227) and just past the airport is the excellent and beautiful Tolosa Winery. Not far away (get a map either from the visitor center downtown or the first winery you visit) are several other good wineries. My favorites are Claiborne and Churchill, Saucelito Canyon and Domaine Alfred. There's also a neat place for lunch called Fiala's at Old Edna.
The Paso Robles area has many excellent wineries and if you travel HWY One north from Morro Bay and then get on HWY 46 you'll have a beautiful drive plus you'll be able to visit lots of wineries and then connect to HWY 101.
Montana D'Oro Park in Los Osos (near Morro Bay) is an excellent place to hike and has some beautiful views.
Should you be there on a Thursday, don't miss the Thursday Night Farmer's Market in downtown San Luis Obispo. One of my favorite restaurants in SLO is Big Sky Cafe. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner and the food is interesting and varied. If the teenage daughters want to see lots of college age people, take them to Firestone Grill on Higuera St. It's very casual but has good burgers, salads and tri-tip. If the weather is nice, Novo has a nice patio overlooking the creek and interesting food (same owner as Cambria's Robin's).
If you decide to go wine tasting you can choose either the Edna Valley area just outside of SLO or go north to Paso Robles. For the Edna Valley you just drive out Broad Street (227) and just past the airport is the excellent and beautiful Tolosa Winery. Not far away (get a map either from the visitor center downtown or the first winery you visit) are several other good wineries. My favorites are Claiborne and Churchill, Saucelito Canyon and Domaine Alfred. There's also a neat place for lunch called Fiala's at Old Edna.
The Paso Robles area has many excellent wineries and if you travel HWY One north from Morro Bay and then get on HWY 46 you'll have a beautiful drive plus you'll be able to visit lots of wineries and then connect to HWY 101.
Montana D'Oro Park in Los Osos (near Morro Bay) is an excellent place to hike and has some beautiful views.
Mar 8th, 2005, 12:42 PM
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Sequess: So much info, so little time,we will try to do as much as we can, thank you for the restaurant suggestions, they sound perfect!
Kimamom/Moneygirl/traveller24 thanks again.
Judy
Kimamom/Moneygirl/traveller24 thanks again.
Judy
You're welcome and have fun! ***kim***
Mar 9th, 2005, 04:27 AM
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We're also considering a night in morro bay. Anyone have any feedback on Best Western Tradewinds, the San Marcos Best Western or the Twin Dolphin Inn? This would be for a quick overnight so we don't need anything romantic etc. All are said to have balconies with some type of view, true? And which do you think has the best view? Thanks in advance.
