Enjoy the sunshine in Cayucos, a laid-back town on the Central California Coast. It’s set on Estero Bay and fringed by a beautiful white-sand beach. Hike in wildlife-rich state parks, learn to surf and be charmed by wooden shopfronts and colourful street murals in the historic downtown district.
Things to do in Cayucos
Cayucos swaps big-name brands for independent surf shops, mom-and-pop shops and antique emporiums. Grab a smoothie from a laid-back café and stock up on the town’s famous melt-in-your-mouth cookies. The weekly market will tempt you with farm-fresh produce from across San Luis Obispo County.
Cayucos State Beach features a 10-kilometre stretch of white sand. Roll out your towel for a sunbathing session, cool off in the Pacific Ocean and peer into tidepools. Lifeguards patrol the beach during peak summer months. Activities like surf lessons and stand-up paddleboarding are a fun way to enjoy the ocean. Picnic tables, playgrounds and grassy areas make Cayucos State Beach popular with families.
Cayucos Pier juts almost 300 metres into the Pacific Ocean. The historic wooden pier dates to the 1800s and has been beautifully restored over the years. Cast a line off the pier and reel in walleye, perch and halibut. Sunsets from the end of the pier are spectacular.
At low tide, you can walk along the beach to Morro Bay. The friendly town is famous for Morro Rock, an enormous volcanic mound set just offshore. Trails wind through Morro Bay State Park and take you through wildlife-rich wetlands, lagoons and saltwater marshes. Hike up Black Hill for spectacular views over the bay. In the winter, you can spot whales breaching offshore on their annual migration to Mexico. Find more scenic trails in Estero Bluffs State Park, where there’s a chance to spot humpbacks, dolphins and harbor seals.
Getting around Cayucos
Cayucos is compact and easy to get around on foot. Rental cars offer the freedom to explore San Luis Obispo County and the Central California Coast at your own pace. The town is a four-hour drive from Los Angeles and San Francisco.