Just west of California's scenic Highway 1, midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, the Morro Bay State Park Museum of Natural History sits on a hill overlooking the Morro Bay Estuary. In addition to panoramic views of the coastline, the view from the museum includes world-famous Morro Rock.
The museum and gift shop are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Admission to the gift shop is free. Admission to the museum is $3 for adults; children 16 and under are admitted free! Morro Bay campground campers are no longer admitted free, fee now applies. Central Coast State Parks Association members also get into the museum free. Click here Membership to learn how to become a member.
Come see the new rotunda and experience the state-of-the-art video displays and interactive exhibits! Visit the Chumash garden along the side of the museum and learn how the Chumash used native plants of this area in their daily lives.
Each year the museum receives about 64,000 visitors. Approximately 14,000 students annually participate in docent-led educational walks at the museum. Group and school tours are available with advance reservations. For information and reservations call 805-772-3084 for schools or 805-772-2694 for other groups.
The Museum of Natural History is within minutes of the Heron Rookery, Morro Bay State Park, Monta�a de Oro State Park, the El Moro Elfin Forest and Audubon's Sweet Springs Nature Preserve. The museum overlooks Morro Bay which is both a State and National Estuary.
The Museum of Natural History is located within Morro Bay State Park. From San Luis Obispo take Hwy. 1 north to the Los Osos/Baywood Park offramp. Turn left, go about 1 mile and turn right into Morro Bay State Park. From south county, take Hwy. 101 northbound to the Los Osos/Baywood Park offramp. Turn left toward Los Osos and travel about 10 miles to South Bay Blvd., then turn right and go about 3 miles to the Morro Bay State Park entrance.
After entering Morro Bay State Park, drive about one mile (past the campground and the marina), then turn left into the museum parking lot.
The museum displays many educational and interesting exhibits about the natural areas around Morro Bay. There are nature videos shown daily and special events featuring information on birds, whales, sea otters, geology, Chumash Indians and much more.
The weather at the Morro Bay State Park Museum of Natural History can vary dramatically from areas only a few miles away. Before coming the museum, you might want to check various weather feeds for current weather, ocean and tide condition information.
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The address is:
Morro Bay State Park Museum of Natural History