Frequently Asked Questions
Get All the Facts about the Festival
Q: What is the purpose of the festival?
A: The Morro Bay Harbor Festival is an annual celebration of the Central Coast's unique food, wine, lifestyle, and working waterfront. It is held annually on the first full weekend in October.
Since its inception, a primary goal of the festival has been to bring together a broad cross-section of the community members of the fishing industry, civic and community groups, marine-related enterprises, small business, corporations, artisans, environmental organizations and individual citizens—to focus public awareness on the special value of Morro Bay environs.
The Morro Bay Harbor Festival Inc. is a nonprofit, 501(c) 3 community-benefit organization. Substantial proceeds from the Morro Bay Harbor Festival are shared the nonprofit organizations that provide crews during festival weekend. Since 1987, the Festival Volunteer Program has awarded more than $390,000 to participating nonprofit groups.
Q: Who attends the Morro Bay Harbor Festival?
A: Over 25,000 people attended the 2006 Harbor Festival. 35% of festival visitors are from outside of the County, and 49% of the attendees would not normally be in Morro Bay if not for the Festival. 47% of Morro Bay Harbor Festival attendees are between the ages of 35 - 55, 55% are married, 53% have a four year college degree or advanced degrees and 44% earn in excess of $50,000.
Q: What's new this year at the festival?
Q: How is this festival different from other Seafood and Wine festivals?
A: The Festival is unique in that it offers festival goers the opportunity to both enjoy a weekend in Morro Bay, one of the more majestic scenes encountered along the California Coast, as well as to get a true taste of Central Coast wine, beer, cuisine, and harbor lifestyle.
As recently declared by Lois Capps, 22nd District Congressional Representative: "The Morro Bay Harbor Festival is an excellent event and we encourage people to attend. It raises public awareness of the commercial fishing industry, seafood industry and coastal environment. California Fishermen and women are responsible stewards of ocean resources, and contribute to the health, economic well being and quality of life of the people of the state. The Morro Bay Harbor Festival showcases not only the products of the commercial fishing industry, but the resulting creations from some of the finest chefs on the Central Coast, plus many of the finest wines of our region."
Q: Which wineries will I see represented at the festival?
A: See the 2007 line up on the Food & Spirits page.
Q: Which restaurants will I see represented at the festival?
A: See the 2007 line up on the Food & Spirits page.
Q: Are there activities specifically for kids?
A: Yes, there are numerous activities especially for children. Previous fun attractions have included fish print activities with the Commercial Fisherman's Association, bounce houses, train tours, and the Harbor Festival Kid's Carnival Cove.
Q: Are there marine and harbor-oriented educational activities?
A: There are numerous marine and harbor-oriented educational activities planned such as the Maritime Heritage Pavilion presented by the Central Coast Maritime Museum Association, the Coast Guard & Harbor Patrol Department Open House, the South T-Pier Educational and Ecological Exhibits, Morro Bay Power Plant tours from 11am-30 on Saturday, and much more. Check the Chamber of Commerce website www.morrobay.org for more information about what is going on in Morro Bay.
Q: Is parking difficult?
A: Parking and shuttles from convenient park and ride locations are provided free to the Public. Please call the Harbor Festival office for details (805) 772-1155.
Q: Are there other things I should see and do over that weekend?
A: Stroll the south end of the Embarcadero in Morro Bay, visit the many local shops and restaurants, enjoy the newly expanded Museum of Natural History, play a round of golf on one of many Central Coast golf courses, hike the beautiful trails of Montana de Oro State Park, relax on the beach, or take a guided tour at Hearst Castle. You could also just wander the festival and listen to great music!
Q: What kinds of accommodations are available in Morro Bay, and nearby communities?
A: Morro Bay is host to everything from the 3 star classy accommodations to roughing it at the County Park or Morro Strand State Beach Campgrounds. We recommend RV parking at Morro Dunes RV Park, and motel, hotel accommodations at the onsite Bayfront Inn (805-772-5607), Marina Street Bed and Breakfast, Embarcadero Inn, and Morro Shores.
Choose your level of comfort and make your reservations early!
Q: What are the future plans for the Festival?
A: The Morro Bay Harbor Festival is always developing plans that will give the festival a fresh look and feel. These developments will aid in combining the charm and character of the working waterfront together with the local community and the growing tourism industry of the Central Coast. Future plans include big name entertainers and more participation from Morro Bay restaurants and local businesses. We are enjoying the accomplishment of reaching our 26th Anniversary and finding ways to keep the festival going for the next quarter century. We welcome input from the public and encourage you to become involved with the festival. Contact us if you would like to help!