Sandy beach
Yes
Hike-in Required
No
Surfing
Yes
Snorkeling / SCUBA
No
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

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).

Logistics + Planning

Congestion

Moderate

Parking Pass

Not Required

Pros

Wide, flat beach. Many access points.

Cons

Popular in the summer.

Features

Fishing
Picnic tables
Surfing
Bird watching
Wildlife

Location

Nearby Adventures

Santa Maria Valley + Santa Lucia/La Panza Mountains, California
Santa Maria Valley + Santa Lucia/La Panza Mountains, California

Nearby Lodging + Camping

Santa Maria Valley + Santa Lucia/La Panza Mountains, California
Santa Maria Valley + Santa Lucia/La Panza Mountains, California

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