Page 52 - SLO Visitors Guide Fall-Holiday 2026

52 FALL / HOLIDAY 2026 slovisitorsguide.com
540 Main St., Morro Bay • 805-772-7503
morrobaysandpiper.com
BOOK DIRECT & SAVE!
Call us or visit the website for
latest prices and availability.
Newly Improved
Morro Bay
Across the road from State Park campground entrance on State Park Rd
(805) 772-1465
BaysideCafe.com
Scan this QR code to
see our menu online
Open for lunch daily,
Dinner Thu - Sun
A central coast favorite in Morro Bay
BAYSIDE CAFE at the marina
Initially, she tackled the enor-
mous task of organizing inventory
during the ownership transition.
She cataloged hundreds of pieces,
photographed jewelry for the web-
site, and now manages much of the
store's online presence while helping
customers, replacing watch batter-
ies, restringing pearls, and repairing
clocks.
Athari beams with pride when
he talks about training her. He is
teaching her the same old-world
craftsmanship that has been passed
down through four generations of
his own family.
They try to accommodate every-
one who comes in. Most repairs take
7-10 days, but if a customer needs
something done immediately, they
do their best without charging extra.
“Fairness matters,” Athari said.
Crafting everything by hand
in a jewelry store is unique these
days. Most stores send work out,
but not at Morro Bay Jewelers.
They keep the craft traditions
alive. Stop by to browse custom
fine jewelry, antique watches,
cuckoo clocks, and more. If you
are looking for custom-made,
stop by to let them create some-
thing wonderful for you.
Morro Bay Jewelers is located at
898 Main Street, Suite A, Morro Bay.
Open Tuesday through Saturday, 10
a.m.-5 p.m. For more information,
visit aliatharifinejewelry.com or call
(805) 772-1878.
—Karen Lycan
gemstones all under one roof. "I
think working on watches makes
me a better jeweler," he said.
"I have a full gemological lab,"
Athari said. "I can identify gem-
stones and do insurance apprais-
als. I've had experience making
jewelry and working with gems
from all over the world."
Today, Morro Bay Jewel-
ers offers fine jewelry, custom
design, jewelry repairs, watch and
clock restoration, appraisals, and
gemstone identification. Nearly
everything is completed in-house
by hand.
A traditional apprenticeship
and a new career path
After a brief retirement, Athari
purchased Morro Bay Jewelers,
which had already been open for 30
years. He lives on his sailboat in the
harbor, and following a shoulder
injury, a young customer became
an unexpected apprentice. Katie
McBride offered to help him out
of concern and kindness. He, in
turn, completely changed her life
by offering her a position as his
apprentice, who will eventually take
over the shop.
I have a career path now,"
McBride said. "This is bigger than
anything I imagined."
Find a wide selection of clocks, watches, and handmade, custom jewelry inside the shop.