“Where’s the best clam chowder in town?”

Every October, at our annual Harbor Festival, in an event called The People’s Choice Morro Bay Clam Chowder Contest, Morro Bay restaurants do battle for the title: Best Clam Chowder in Morro Bay. Perennial finalists include:

“Will there be any place to eat on Thanksgiving Day?”

If you’re going to be in Morro Bay this Thanksgiving (Thursday, Nov. 28th) you’ll have some flavorful options to choose from. The following restaurants: Dorn’s Original Breaker’s Cafe (805-772-4415); The Hungry Fisherman (805-772-3444); Rose’s Landing (805-772-4441); and Windows on the Water (805-772-0677) will be open for dinner and serving from Thanksgiving menus.

“Is there some little coffee shop with wifi I could go to?”

Your hotel might have high-speed wifi but that doesn’t mean you have to stay in your room checking emails, updating Facebook pages, or reading the latest posts on wheninmorrobay.com. If you want, you can do all that in one of Morro Bay’s cozy, quirky coffee shops.

“Has the 2013 Lighted Boat Parade been postponed?”

No, that’s either an old Facebook page you’re looking at, or a press release from 2012 when the Lighted Boat Parade was postponed due to an impending storm. The 2013 Lighted Boat Parade is still a “go” for December 7th and wheninmorrobay.com is the only place on the web you’ll find up-to-date information on it.

“How do you say the name of that street with all the restaurants and shops on it? ’”

“Em-bark-uh-DARE-oh.“ Unless you’re from San Francisco (home of the most famous embarcadero), or speak Spanish, you probably don’t have much need to say the word “embarcadero”, and probably have no idea what, if anything, it means.

“Is Morro Bay bike-friendly?”

If you’ve got a bike, bring it. If you’re traveling with, or on bikes, you’ll want to stop in Morro Bay. It’s as bike-friendly as it gets and getting bike-friendlier by the day. As the network of trails, pathways, bike racks, and cyclists grows, so does word about cycling Morro Bay.

“What time does the fog clear?”

I’ve given up trying to predict the schedule of Morro Bay fog. I know only three things about it:  it’s present more in the summertime than the winter; it’s present more around breakfast time than lunchtime; and it’s quite often present when I go to bed.

“When is whale-watching season?”

Whales pass through the waters off Morro Bay year-round but there are two types more common than others and they each have their own viewing season. The Humpbacks are best seen May through October and he California Grays pass by December through April.

“Do any of these bars have live music?”

Morro Bay is home to a lot of musicians and music enthusiasts, so it should be no surprise that we have great bars with great music, just about every night of the week. Our two major music venues are the Otter Rock Café and The Fuel Dock Saloon.

“Are there any pet-friendly hotels in Morro Bay?”

There are quite a few, and in case you’ve ever wondered why all hotels aren’t, it’s not because of the work of a few destructive dogs, though that’s a part of it  – it’s because every once in awhile a bad dog-owner takes off for an afternoon on the Embarcadero, leaves Fido in the room alone, Fido doesn’t like it, decides to let the whole third floor know about it.

“Is there a Walmart in town?”

Bite your tongue! The mere suggestion that Morro Bay would ever consider allowing within its city limits a Walmart, is asking for it. It’s bad enough there’s one 30 miles south in Arroyo Grande, and another one 30 miles northeast in Paso Robles! No, Morro Bay (and nearby San Luis Obispo) have always been and probably will always be, very, very anti-Walmart.

“How early should I make reservations for the Lighted Boat Parade?”

You should have already made them but don’t worry, there’s still time. The Lighted Boat Parade takes place in the hotel offseason so not as many people are fighting for rooms. Chances are pretty good that if you get on the phone right now, you could get the kind of room you’re looking for, for the 6^th and 7^th

“Is there anything going on in November in Morro Bay?”

November’s not the busiest month in Morro Bay, but there is one special attraction that draws a lot of people.  It’s the arrival and docking of the tall ship Lady Washington.

“How come this air-conditioner doesn’t work?”

Because it’s probably a heater. While many Morro Bay hotel rooms have air-conditioning units, many do not.  This is because there’s seldom need for A/C in Morro Bay. The Central Coast of California has such a mild Mediterranean climate that if it’s hot it’s usually not hot for long.

“What are those crazy diving birds?”

Those are Brown Pelicans and when you see one dive for the first time, you  might find yourself wondering: “Isn’t there an easier way for that bird to get its food?” There probably is. It’s close cousin, the White Pelican fishes in an entirely different manner, in groups, using cooperation and finesse.

“Is there a list of all the restaurants in town?”

Yep, and it’s right here on this blog. It’s the only comprehensive, up-to-date list of Morro Bay Restaurants there is. Restaurants are listed alphabetically and each of their names is a link to their website (or the closest thing to it).

“How far are you from Hearst Castle?”

We’re about 40 minutes (35 miles) south, on Highway 1. In fact, Hearst Castle is how many people discover Morro Bay for the first time. Every year millions of them, from all over the world, flock to San Simeon to tour the lavishly-preserved castle, where the likes of Bogey,

“When is the Lighted Boat Parade?”

It’s the first Saturday of every December and it’s part of the annual Morro Bay Lighted Boat Parade and Tree Lighting Celebration. It’s also a great excuse to abscond to Morro Bay in the middle of winter.

“Where’s Morro Rock?”

From where you’re standing, turn 180 degrees – to the left or right – doesn’t matter. See a big rock?  No? Turn another 180. Same direction. Still no rock? Go outside. Make sure you’re away from visual obstructions like walls or buildings.

“Is it safe here?”

It’s pretty darned safe. To give you an idea of how safe, one of the things locals do from time to time, in passing, say after a hard day of surfing or fishing, is stop each other on the street, and in mocking fashion, flash gang signals.