About

The Morro Bay Harbor Festival is to bring together a cross-section of the community to celebrate Morro Bay’s Harbor, coastal lifestyles and livelihoods, environment and maritime heritage through a family-oriented, intergenerational event that promotes off-season tourism throughout the Central Coast and contributes significant funds to a diversity of San Luis Obispo County nonprofit organizations. The Morro Bay Harbor Festival Inc. is a nonprofit, 501(c)3 community-benefit organization. Since 1987, the Festival Volunteer Program has awarded nearly $500,000 to participating nonprofit groups.

History

One of the California Central Coast's more dramatic scenes encountered along beautiful Highway 1 is Morro Rock, guardian of Morro Bay's natural harbor and active fishing village.

The Morro Bay Harbor Festival is an annual celebration of the Central Coast's unique food, wine, lifestyle and working waterfront that is held on the first full weekend in October every year.

The festival was first held in 1982 and included many of the festival's current popular activities such as the Californian Seafood Fair and Wine Tasting Pavilion, Maritime Heritage Pavilion, Sand Sculpture Spectacular, Carnival Cove, local businesses on display, and the opportunity to sample local Seafood specialties.

Demographics

Visitor Demographics and Spending Patterns: 
Morro Bay Harbor Festival Study 1999-2009

• 22,000 people attended the 2009 Harbor Festival.
• 35% of Festival visitors come from outside of the County.
• 49% of the attendees are in Morro Bay just for the festival.
• 47% of the attendees are between the age of 35-55.
• 55% are married.
• 53% have a four year college degree or advanced degrees.
• 44% earn in excess of $50,000.

Ticket & Hours Info

Discount Presale Packages are available online or a PDF form can be downloadedhere.

Festival hours are 10am to 6pm October 6th and 7th, 2012 along the Morro Bay Embarcadero Waterfront.

Parking is free and shuttles pick up at Bank of America, Morro Bay High School, Fitness Works, and at the Morro Bay Rock.

The Morro Bay Police Department does not allow pets within the Festival.

A growing practice for the festival is bringing it to be Zero Waste. This initiative is headed up by recycling guru Noah Smukler in cooperation with the Cal Poly Zero Waste Club and the Guerrilla Gardeners.