Morro Strand State Beach is a long and wide stretch of sandy beach that includes what used to be Atascadero State Beach. The beach stretches unobstructed from Morro Creek, just north of Morro Rock, nearly 3 miles to Cayucos. There are several entry points along the beach, with the major ones being the parking areas on either side of Morro Creek on Embarcadero, at Cloisters Community Park, at Yerba Buena Street where the campground is located, and at the Cayucos Dog Beach at the north end.

Popular with locals and visitors alike, the beach is great for boogie boarding, surfing, fishing, kitesurfing, windsurfing, beach walking and sunbathing. Unfortunately for dog lovers, they are not allowed on the beach (but they are allowed on Morro Rock Beach to the south and the aptly-named Cayucos Dog Beach to the north).