RIPPLING, DARTING, TWIRLING: We’ll never be able to hook Morro Rock at the end of a thin string before tossing it into the air, and trying to capture the colossal and ancient natural feature by sewing together some colorful pieces of nylon? We’re quite sure our homemade kite wouldn’t capture Morro Rock’s grandeur and utter gigantic-tude. But we can wend our way to the gorgeous stretch of California coast over the final weekend of April to bask in kites rippling, darting, and twirling in the vicinity of Morro Rock, a scene that is highly visual and made for memorable photos. Or no photos required, if you’re not feeling it: Simply watching kite mavens send their squares and triangles high over the bay, or flying your own air-ready work of art, is gift enough. But the gifts keep on coming: Attending the annual Morro Bay Kite Festival, a three-day in-the-air affair, is free.
APRIL 24, 25, and 26… are the 2026 dates for the festival, and kite enthusiasts from around the Central Coast and points elsewhere will arrive to check out the area’s “legendary kite-flying wind” (something you can admire at any time when seabirds ride the currents). Note that the kick-off event on Friday as an “after sunset” meet-up, while Saturday and Sunday will embrace the sunshine, or fog, or the moody mix of both (as so often and enchantingly happens in Morro Bay). And if you happen to visit the vibrant above-the-sand spectacular on Saturday? Hundreds of kites — 500 in all — will be available for kids to enjoy. As for what else is soaring in Morro Bay this spring? The famous City Wide Yard Sale is up in late March, with offbeat and I’ve-been-looking-for-that finds aplenty.