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California Coast winter getaways to Morro Bay and realm of North Coast elephant seals

Jennifer Little (L) Mark Elterman (C) Joan Solu (R)
Credit Thomas Wilmer
Jennifer Little (L) Mark Elterman (C) Joan Solu (R)

Join the conversation dockside at Morro Bay Harbor with Jennifer Little of Discover Morro Bay Tourism Bureau, Mark Elterman with California Highway 1 Coast Discovery Route, and Morro Bay hotelier Joan Solu.

January and February are dubbed the “Secret Season” by local tourism industry folks.

Coastal Gull patrols Harford Pier at Avila Beach
Credit Thomas Wilmer
Coastal Gull patrols Harford Pier at Avila Beach

Surprisingly the depths of winter can be an incredibly beautiful time of year for a getaway along the Highway 1 Coastal Discovery Route.

Morro Bay, Cayucos, Cambria, and other villages up and down the Central Coast offer attractive mid-winter discounted rates on overnight accommodations to attract visitors.

Hearst Castle San Simeon
Credit Thomas Wilmer
Hearst Castle San Simeon

Coastal restaurants earmark January as their annual “Restaurant Month”. 

Many eateries offer specials that sometimes equate to the second meal for free.

Sunset behind Morro Rock
Credit Thomas Wilmer
Sunset behind Morro Rock

All of the value driven incentives during the secret season are frankly offered because this the lean time of year in the tourist industry on the Central Coast.

Thus you will find incredible discounts and specials wherever you go.  

High flying kites out by the Rock at Morro Bay
Credit Thomas Wilmer
High flying kites out by the Rock at Morro Bay

Throughout the year, sustainable tourism, and stewardship travel have become an integral part of the hospitality industry.

Special programs have been instituted where guests  help clean up beaches, get involved as docents at the San Simeon State Beach elephant seal rookery, and more.

Elephant Bull awaits a mate at San Simeon, CA
Credit Thomas Wilmer
5,000 pound Elephant Bull awaits a mate at San Simeon, CA
Vista from Black Hill Morro Bay golf course and estuary
Credit Thomas Wilmer
Vista from Black Hill Morro Bay golf course and estuary

Come along and learn about the diversity of wintertime natural attractions such as the ever-popular Morro Bay Bird Festival each January.    

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San Simeon Cove State Beach
Credit Thomas Wilmer
San Simeon Cove State Beach

Tom Wilmer produces on-air content for Issues & Ideas airing over KCBX and is producer and host of the six-time Lowell Thomas award-winning NPR podcast Journeys of Discovery with Tom Wilmer. Recorded live on-location across America and around the world, the podcasts feature the arts, culture, music, nature, history, science, wine & spirits, brewpubs, and the culinary arts--everything from baseball to exploring South Pacific atolls to interviewing the real Santa Claus in the Arctic.