Review: Baywood Inn—Baywood Park, CA
Situated directly across from Morro Bay at the north end of the Sweet Springs Nature Preserve in California, the Baywood Inn Bed and Breakfast is a special lodging that entices travelers to stay for a longer time. The central outdoor courtyard is adjacent to the quiet El Moro Ave, with scant few vehicles interrupting the serene view of Morro Bay.
You can head out for a tranquil morning walk to the tiny Baywood Park Pier, or stay and take in the view through the suite’s floor-to-ceiling windows or balcony.
Unique construction on the exterior hints at the individually themed rooms inside. Theme rooms can be kitschy, but the Baywood Inn is anything but.
Upon arrival, welcoming staff offer a quick tour of the well-stocked lobby area, complete with complimentary snacks plus a video and book library—further hints that this location is well suited for multi-day stays.
My suite happened to be in a separate building with its own dedicated stairwell. Entering it felt like walking into a familiar apartment.
Simple details, like the small table in the entry foyer, made stashing helmets and panniers easy. After passing through the small kitchen area, the living room was an ideal spot to shed riding gear and relax on the sofa with the panoramic views of Morro Bay. Even before checking out the spacious bedroom, I could see glimpses of it in the glass of the pass-through fireplace between the living room and bedroom.
Having more space in a hotel suite seems to bring out the rock star in everyone. Sure enough, my organization went out the window in favor of a relaxed chaos with gear strewn about until I had to prepare for the next riding day.
Unlike actual rock stars, however, I didn’t fling any furniture or other items through any windows.
Dramatic changes in the view of the bay come with the tides. Where a firm mudflat played host to a dog chasing frisbees a day earlier, the following morning’s high tide made the same beach a walk along the water’s edge.
Taking a few steps more through the tiny community of Baywood Park leads to cafes and the convenient Baywood Market. Breakfast options at Baywood Inn are included with the room, available at either La Palapa or Nautical Bean—both just steps from the inn.
Returning to the B&B was always a welcome experience after exploring the Los Osos area. Writing notes with the oceanfront views in the suite was as memorable an experience as the things described in the notes themselves.
Facts & Info
Amenities
- Excellent location
- Convenient parking (uncovered)
- Nearby restaurants
- Spacious suites
- Balcony
- Kitchen
- Free snacks as well as books and DVDs in the lobby
- Oceanfront outdoor fire pits
Nearby Attractions
- Montaña de Oro State Park
- Heart Castle
- Elephant Seal Point
- Morro Rock
- SR 1
- Kuma Sushi
Nearby Roads
Minutes from the inn, travelers can venture south on Pecho Valley Rd to explore the numerous coastal trails, as well as Montaña de Oro State Park. The beach near Hazard Canyon is also a famed surf break in this area, but it’s absolutely an expert-only location due to its highly dangerous rock shelf break that lives up the canyon’s name.
A visit to Avila Beach is worth the short ride south. Continuing to the end of Avila Beach Dr is a mini-adventure of its own, as the road becomes a pier and stretches a good distance out into San Luis Obispo Bay.
The Baywood Inn is also a great base out for exploring Morro Bay and farther up SR 1 beyond San Simeon. With the present closure of SR 1 at Limekiln Park due to a landslide, visitors will have to turn around.
Heading back south to Los Osos and concluding the day with a sunset at one of the Baywood Inn’s outdoor fire pits is hard to beat.
Price
$140-$250/night
Location
Find them at 1370 2nd St, Baywood Park, CA