Sea otters are some of the most alluring sights in Morro Bay, Central California. And we were all for them.
Last updated: February 6, 2026
Wildlife along the Central Coast of California
If you think about it, the Central Coast of California is a whole new universe on its own. A special stretch of shoreline where you can return over and over again and never see it the same. This is where we spent two weekends in a row.
The truth is we’d been to the Central Coast of California many times, exploring in depth some areas and just passing by the others, but always finding places that would take our breath away and prove again and again how beautiful and diverse California is. After all, Big Sur, one of the world’s most stunning drives, is located right here, along California’s Central Coast.
This time we stayed just a little bit south of the famous drive, narrowing down our options to a road trip to Pismo Beach and Morro Bay, two coastal towns with some of the most glorious sights.
And the sights we were looking for were of wild origin.
We started our trip with the intention to finally see migrating monarch butterflies in Pismo Beach, but ended up looking for – to be precise – hoping to catch a glimpse of wild sea otters in Morro Bay.
Marine Wildlife in California
Marine wildlife is unpredictable. We certainly hoped to see wild sea otters along California’s Central Coast, but couldn’t force or predict anything. Morro Bay T Pier is said to be the place where sea otters are frequent visitors.
The odds were in our favor. A raft of marine mammals floated on their backs right in the tiny cove between the shore and the T-shaped dock.
When to See Sea Otters in Morro Bay
Wild sea otters are not just visitors in this section of Central California. They stay here year-round, sticking closer to the shoreline for safety and protection.
This trip to Morro Bay was a complete success. A mission accomplished that didn’t require any effort from us other than showing up and enjoying the views and sea otters.
WHERE TO SEE WILD SEA OTTERS IN MORRO BAY
Sea otters are wild animals. Their behavior is hugely unpredictable. You can see them along the pier or near the beach one day, expecting to enjoy their company in the exact same spot and at the exact same time the following, only to find a great expanse of the ocean devoid of any visible life.
This happened to us as well. After our delightful encounter with sea otters at one of Morro Bay’s favorite spots, we didn’t see even one lost furry marine mammal seven days later. We stopped at the exact same spot in Morro Bay while driving back from Hearst Castle.
Sea otters were missing. We felt their absence greatly. The wild creatures just left the cove. When they would return was a small mystery, out of our control.
With that being said, you can’t pop up at one particular spot in Morro Bay and expect to see sea otters floating on their backs. These wild animals are not as predictable as northern elephant seals that linger at a beach-rookery just 30 miles north along Highway 1 day and night.
The places with the higher probability to see wild sea otters in Morro Bay, however, do exist. So when you are in the city next time, make sure to check out some of these marine wildlife viewing spots.
1. South T Pier near Morro Rock
Morro Bay T Pier is a quite lively place. It’s easy to reach with plenty of parking just across the road from the pier. The area is popular with anglers, locals and visitors leisurely walking along the pier, and sea otters.
Unbothered by the commotion around them, the marine mammals take a break from their food foraging and float in the small “enclosure” between the shore and the pier for hours on end.
2. The Embarcadero
The waterfront boardwalk is not only for scenic strolls, shopping and dining, but also wildlife viewing. While the latter wasn’t the prime vision during the construction of the boardwalk, sea otters find the nearby area as irresistible as Morro Bay’s human visitors do.
3. Morro Bay State Park and Estuary
Morro Bay State Park and Estuary offers quieter experience and many opportunities to spot Central California’s wildlife in its natural habitat. Keep your eyes peeled for harbor seals, sea lions, many bird species, and sea otters.
Furthermore, you can get pretty good chances of admiring Morro Bay’s sea otters from the water while kayaking or paddleboarding. But be mindful of your surroundings and respectful to wildlife. Give the animals enough space to feel safe and unbothered.
How to View Sea Otters in Morro Bay
Keep Your Distance. Don’t get too close to sea otters whether you are viewing them from water or Morro Bay’s shoreline. Use binoculars or a telephoto lens to get a better look of the wild animals. If sea otters look unrested and start to leave, you are too close to them. Move farther away.
Stay Quiet. Don’t make noise. Loud sounds interrupt sea otter’s natural behavior, triggering them to leave.
No Feeding or Touching Sea Otters. Sea otters in Morro Bay are wild animals. Let them remain wild and depend on themselves for their survival. Even such a seemingly altruistic gesture as sharing your food with any wild creatures can have severe consequences.
READ MORE: Winter Whale Watching off Ventura. Yes, It’s Absolutely Worth It!
