Finding Great Places to Retire Since 2006!
Morro Bay, California
Mellow Morro Bay is a Scenic Beach Town with Fun Festivals, an Excellent Farmers' Market, a Seaside Golf Course and an Iconic Rock
About half way between San Diego and San Francisco, mellow Morro Bay became a summer vacation destination at the turn of the 20th century. After World War II, it also became a fishing village and still is one today.
The city has a beautiful setting, nestled amid beaches, lagoons and saltwater marshes. Fishing boats moor in the harbor, and the Embarcadero, the town's wharf, is dotted with colorful shops and eateries that serve up the day's catch of fresh oysters, crab and salmon. Sea lions catch sunrays on the wharf, and otters play by giant, iconic Morro Rock just offshore (the rock is actually a volcano peak known as the Gibraltar of the Pacific and is a peregrine falcon reserve).
Events include the Avocado and Margarita Festival, the Mermaid, Sea Creature and Pirate Parade and the Morro Bay Harbor Festival, a time to partake in fresh BBQ and lots of wine. The Harbor Walk is a boardwalk that extends from the Embarcadero to Morro Rock. The excellent farmers' market is open on Thursdays and Saturdays.
Neighborhoods are not really landscaped, with telephone poles, small yards, narrow roads and few sidewalks. Homes are mostly small, come in a variety of shapes and are packed closely together. A very expensive home, which is only expensive because it has an ocean view, might sit next to a tarmac lot.
Morro Bay State Park is on the south side of town, while popular Morro Strand State Beach is on the north end. Although the water is usually chilly, surfing, sailing, kayaking and stand-up boarding are all popular. The town's beautiful golf course sits next to the sea. The Piedras Blancas Light Station and the Hearst Castles are easy day trips.
Morro Bay has 11,000 people, with 54% of them age 45 or older. The population has remained constant during the last decade. Nearly 40% of locals hold a four-year college degree.
The cost of living is 73% above the national average, and the median home price is around $950,000. Real estate prices have increased 6% from a year ago.
Summers are cool and often foggy, with temperatures in the 60s, 70s and 80s, while winters range from the 30s to 50s. The area averages 16 inches of rain annually.
There is no local hospital, but Dignity Health – French Hospital Medical Center in San Luis Obispo, 12 miles away, provides medical care.
Morrow Bay has both fixed bus service and curb-to-curb transportation. Residents also enjoy a public library. The crime rate is below the national average, and politics lean to the left. The area's earthquake risk is well above the national average.
The Dynegy Power Plant has been here since the 1950s but ceased operations in early 2014 and merged with Vistra Energy in 2018. The plant is currently being decommissioned.
California’s Central Coast, stretching between Santa Barbara and Monterey Bay, is a region of rugged beauty, charming small towns, and a relaxed coastal lifestyle. Known for places like Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo, Big Sur, and Carmel, the Central Coast offers dramatic cliffs, sandy beaches, rolling vineyards, and a slower pace compared to California’s big cities.
Outdoor activities such as kayaking, hiking, whale watching, and exploring tide pools are plentiful, while wine country and farm-to-table dining add to the area’s appeal. With its combination of natural beauty, cultural richness, and small-town charm, the Central Coast attracts both retirees and visitors seeking a quieter, more scenic slice of California living.
The state is not considered tax-friendly for retirement.
Webwerxx, Inc. Copyright (c) 2006-2025. All rights reserved. No part of this electronic publication may be reproduced in any way without the express written consent of Webwerxx, Inc. Reproducing any original part of this publication without written permission from Webwerxx, Inc. is plagiarism. Numerous attempts were made to verify the accuracy of the information contained in this website, but some information may have changed since each article and/or report went online, and Webwerxx, Inc. is not liable for inaccurate information contained in its articles and/or reports.