A Guide to Celebrating New Year’s Eve in Morro Bay

With the new year just around the corner, where do you want to be when the clock strikes midnight?

Here are five ways to spend your New Year’s Eve in Morro Bay.

1. Dance into the New Year

Take to the dance floor and let last year’s difficulties and next year’s worries fade away. Restaurants, bars, and many local businesses will feature live music to ring in the new year.

Dress to impress and welcome 2026 in style at The Siren, where The Cheeseballs, a San Francisco–based dance band, will keep you moving all night long. Complimentary snacks will keep you energized, along with a glass of California sparkling wine for the midnight toast.

Or bring your own soundtrack, take a sunset drive along Highway 1, and kick off your shoes to dance in the sand when you return to Morro Bay.

2. Send off the Year with an Indulgent Meal

Holidays are about family, friends, and food, so why not close out the year with a meal worth remembering. Reserve a table at one of Morro Bay’s standout restaurants for chef-driven menus, champagne toasts, fresh local seafood, and thoughtful wine pairings. Add a touch of glamour by dressing up for an evening centered on good company and exceptional food.

3. Spend Time on the Water

Let the water guide your final adventure of the year. Whether you surf, paddleboard, or kayak, the calm bay and abundant wildlife create a refreshing backdrop for an early start on your New Year’s resolutions. If you’d rather take it easy, gather your group and rent a boat from Estero Adventures for a scenic cruise across the water.

4. Celebrate with Drinks

Raise a glass to the New Year at one of Morro Bay’s local bars and restaurants:

Great American Fish Company Bar & Lounge – Watch the college football games while enjoying a beer at the bar. *
Harbor Hut Bar – Get tropical with a specialty cocktail.*
Legends – Play shuffleboard, pool or find some great tunes on the jukebox until 2 am.
Rose’s Bar – Enjoy scenic views of Morro Rock while exploring their cocktail menu.*
Three Stacks and A Rock – Try their nanobrews, gourmet hot dogs and street snacks.*

*closes before midnight

Make sure to check each venue for NYE hours and whether reservations or tickets are required – it’s a busy night in town!

5. Relax and Reset Before the New Year

Not in the mood for a big party? Morro Bay is perfect for a calm, reflective NYE. Begin your day with a spa treatment, catch a movie at the Bay Theater, and take a stroll along the Embarcadero at sunset. Then, start the new year gently with a morning hike up Black Hill on January 1st, and let the quiet scenery set the tone for a peaceful, rejuvenating year ahead.

Hiking Black Hill Morro Beach

However you choose to celebrate—getting active, indulging or relaxing—we wish you a safe and happy holiday!