Think family when planning a trip to California's Central Coast on the Highway One Discovery Route.  This is especially true at Morro Bay with its many attractions, some designed especially for  youngsters.  These attractions include the Morro Bay Museum of Natural History in the State Park and then on the Embarcadero.  Here there is much to delight children  including a Skateboard museum, and a tour aboard the tall ship Lady Washington.  This sailing ship built in 1989 is a replica of a historic vessel that was the first to make a landfall on the west coast.  It also was the first American ship to visit Hawaii, Hong Kong and Japan.  The ship is located at Sub Sea Tours which also offers sub sea tour and rents Kayaks, Canoes and Stand Up Paddle Boards.
  Just walking and exploring the shops, antique and art galleries, restaurants and wine tasting rooms that line the Embarcardero is considered a must for every Bay visitor.
The adjacent Morro Bay State Park offers camping and a good base for hiking the  land surrounding the Bay including famous Morro Rock.  We found that the hike around the Rock is a great place to view the Sea Otters that are native to this part of the Pacific Coast.
Museum of National History, located in the State Park, is the perfect place for a family visit.  The building occupies a rock outcropping offering a magnificent view of  the bay, waterfront and towering Morro rock.  A well kept trail surrounds the building on what is called White Point. 
Inside the natural forces that shaped our planet are all presented in a most clever fashion often with movable panels that are a great attraction for adults and children alike.  Exhibits explain the forces that shape the terrain like volcanoes, earthquakes and erosion.  Another describes how change is constant with rain, fog, wind and erosion.
We found the history of the Bay Estuary most interesting and the role ocean waves play  along with sand dunes and the tides to create the favorable environment for the many types of animal and marine life that abound in the region.
The museum has a wonderful collection of stuffed birds, both sea and land, all looking most natural.  Some of these are located in the auditorium which offers movies, puppet shows for children and many public programs  We sat and watched a fifteen minute video on the life of sea otters that are part of the ocean scene on California's Central Coast.
The Morro Bay Museum is the only one in the State Park system devoted to natural history.  It is located at 20 State Park Road, Morro Bay, telephone 805 772-2694.