Farming and savoring fresh Pacific Gold oysters in Morro Bay has been part of this quaint seaside village's rich fishing history since 1923. Today the Morro Bay Oyster Company is still hard at work growing and harvesting Pacific Golds that can be found at restaurants and wine bars in Morro Bay, and throughout CA. Like all oysters, they're flavored by their home waters, and now the Grassy Bar Oyster Company has joined in on the tasty farming culture here in Morro Bay. 

“We have such a fantastic oyster culture here. Windows on the Water offers oyster Tuesdays, Tognazzini's Dockside, Giovanni's Fresh Fish Market and Dutchman's Seafood House are great places to get your oyster on. Fresh, BBQed or baked, you can find them any way you prefer,” says Jennifer Little, Tourism Manager for Discover Morro Bay. “With our amazing weather, we produce oysters all year long, so there are a lot of reasons to celebrate in Morro Bay.”

Oysters of the Bay

The cold, clean waters of Morro Bay produce two specific kinds of oysters, Pacific Gold and Grassy Bar. “The key to a good oyster is freshness,” explains Neal Maloney, owner of the Morro Bay Oyster Company. “It should smell of the seashore as the tide recedes over seaweed-covered rocks. It should be full in the shell, firm in texture, and brimming with the natural juice that is its life blood, not just sea water. Visitors of the Morro Bay Oyster Company can rest assured, our oysters are fresh and delicious.”  

Pacific Gold Oysters are farmed by the Morro Bay Oyster Company, and are a beautiful, hardy species that thrives in the cold, rich waters of the Bay, where the strong wind and waves meet the peaceful streams that flow from age-old volcanic aquifers. This convergence of elements brings with it constant changes in salinity, temperature, nutrients, and tides. The Pacific Gold Oyster adapts to these changes over the course of its life and develops a robust flavor with a hint of melon. The strong tides bring this water into the farm twice a day allowing our oysters to explode with growth and take on the fresh salty brine that surrounds them. This impressive 130-acre oyster marine farm can be seen by paddleboard, kayak or from a guided tour with Lost Isle Adventure Tours.

Grassy Bar Oysters are becoming a popular oyster grown and harvested in Morro Bay today. Exclusively and carefully raised by a family-run operation called the Grassy Bar Oyster Company, owned by the Trevelyan family, with more than 20 year's experience in the shellfish business, these oysters are medium size and have plump and juicy meats with rich, briny watermelon flavor. Grassy Bar oysters start as "seed" about the size of a red pepper flake and are carefully raised in the southern reaches of Morro Bay where salt waters of the pacific meet the estuary. 

Lodging
The variety of lodging options in Morro Bay offers visitors the opportunity to stay in beach front vacation rentals, luxurious inns, leading brand hotels, reliable budget and specialty accommodations that fit any budget. For more information, visit www.morrobay.org. 

###

About Morro Bay
A true gem, this seaside fishing village with bustling waterfront offers a picture perfect getaway for travelers who seek food, wine and outdoor adventures found in a gorgeous natural setting. Located along coastal Highway 1 in San Luis Obispo County just south of Big Sur, midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, Morro Bay offers year round activities in an unspoiled slice of California. Recently recognized in as her home in Finding Dory, Morro Bay was named as a Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists, and outdoor activities are a way of life. From ocean-side golf, kayaking, sailing, hiking, fishing, surfing, biking, and bird watching, to kite flying, shopping, dining, wine bars, local craft brews and miles of unspoiled beaches, there is something for everyone. 

Sitting majestically between the beach and the harbor lays the iconic and historic landmark Morro Rock, welcoming travelers from miles away as they approach Morro Bay. Located just minutes from world-renowned Hearst Castle, historic missions, breathtaking Montana de Oro State Park, and surrounded by vineyards from Paso Robles to Edna Valley, Morro Bay is a destination designed to fit any style and budget for families, couples or groups. Morro Bay also offers a myriad of year-round events including food, wine and music festivals, art fairs and car shows unique to the town. For more travel information visit http://www.morrobay.org