12 Charming Things to Do in Cayucos, California

Cayucos, California is a tiny coastal town located in California’s Central Coast, right on the Pacific Coast Highway. Visiting it feels a bit like stepping back in time. Some beach towns feel sort of like you’ve stepped onto the set of a glamorous teen drama. Cayucos feels sort of like you’ve stepped into the Old West, except on the beach: it’s small-town Americana, often described as the last of the historic California beach towns. There are saloons and American flags and antique shops selling exquisite marine-themed crafts and the air is thick with salt, coastal fog, and the scent of the ocean.

Cayucos is the kind of place you go to escape the many, many stresses of the world. Life moves slowly here – this is SLO-Cal, after all –  and you can feel your troubles drift away with the waves crashing on the beach. If Gilmore Girls had been filmed in California, it could have been filmed here. This homey, simple life beach vibe is why many families return to Cayucos year after year, visiting the same beloved places and reveling in the same beloved charm.

When we received an invitation from the Shoreline Inn to visit Cayucos, Jeremy and I jumped at the opportunity for a relaxing, romantic weekend getaway. Cayucos is located just up the beach from where Jeremy grew up, in Morro Bay, California. Although the two beach towns are close neighbors, Cayucos has a distinct and unique identity. It stands out proudly among its neighbors in the Central Coast in San Luis Obispo County, an area located directly in-between San Francisco and Los Angeles and one of our absolute favorite places to visit in California.

Although we visit the Central Coast frequently – check out our complete guide to the Central Coast – we had never given Cayucos the attention it deserves. And so, we spent a weekend getting to know Cayucos on its own terms.  Here’s why we think you should stop in Cayucos on your next Highway One road trip!

We also have a Highway One podcast episode! A humanist cult, a Danish hideaway, a gravitational anomaly, towering trees, a spoiled rich kid’s castle, clothing-optional hot springs, and the cutest (and weirdest) animals imaginable: in this episode, we cover everything you need to plan your trip up the California Coast – and all the weird history you never knew along the way.

Listen below or just click here! Oh, and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss new episodes.

Psst: We have a bunch of other posts about traveling in California. Take a look:

• The Ultimate 10-Day California Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Itinerary
• The 32 Best Pacific Coast Highway Stops
• 12 Adorable Things to do in Morro Bay, California: A Local’s Guide
• The Booze & Food Guide to Paso Robles, California
• 8 Quintessential Places to Visit on California’s Central Coast

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Driving the scenic Pacific Coast Highway? Don’t stop at San Francisco – continue all the way up the Pacific Coast Highway to Mendocino, another amazing stop along Highway One. Read our guide to Mendocino!

Cayucos History 101

Cayucos’ story begins in 1603, when a Spanish explorer passing through spotted a bunch of Native American canoes tied along the shore. The term “Cayucos” comes from the Chumash Native American word for “canoe.” If there is anything positive to say about the pillage and ruin of the First Americans, I guess one thing might be that the town was named in the language of its original inhabitants.

For years, the area was Spanish ranching land and was home to dairy farms and fat, happy cows. But in 1867, Captain James Cass built a pier and officially founded the town as a shipping port. Fun fact about Captain James Cass: his house still exists as one of the best restaurants in Cayucos, and it is also, apparently, haunted.

Anyway, from then on, the town conducted a bustling trade, sending out ships filled with butter and cheese and abalone and, during Prohibition, rum. It was a bustling village for 19th century pirates to undock and unload, drinking and playing cards in the saloon. Which, incidentally, is still around.

The continuing prosperity of Cayucos is due to the abundance of nearby farmland. The town is sheltered by a “green belt” which benefits both local farmers and those of us who prefer quiet towns to stay quiet, without the risk of urban sprawl that comes from too easily developed land. Thankfully, Cayucos will always stay small and quaint, with short buildings that allow you to see the ocean from anywhere in town and rolling coastal hills and cliffs to keep it nestled away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Now that you’ve got a little context for this sweet little town, here’s our list of the best things to do in Cayucos, CA!

Things to do in Cayucos, California

Go Surfing

Surfing is one of those quintessential California beach town activities. Jeremy grew up surfing in Cayucos, because Jeremy is a California stereotype wrapped in a Valley Girl accent topped with blonde hair. The first time little teenaged Jeremy ever went surfing was in Cayucos, there was a dolphin playing in the water next to him (true story), because California is magical.

In other news, I once attempted to surf. It did not go well.

Whether you’re a surfing expert, someone who goes surfing a lot but actually isn’t all that good at it (like Jeremy), or you’ve never tried surfing before and are less disaster-prone than I am, head to Good Clean Fun. Located just steps from the beach, the surf shop has everything you need to hit the water, from wetsuits to boards to friendly, laid-back surfer dudes who can teach you how to hang ten in a private surf lesson. 

• Good Clean Fun | Address: 136 Ocean Front Ave, Cayucos, CA

Take the Self-Guided Mural Tour

Cayucos has 9 beautiful murals sprinkled throughout town. And since the entire town is less than 5 square miles, it’s PERFECT for a self-guided mural tour.

Trade in your flip flops for some walking shoes and print a copy of this self-guided tour. Don’t forget to bring a camera!

Go Tidepooling & Hiking on the Coastal Cliffs

Estero Bluffs State Park is a beautiful, 353-acre shoreline haven for lovers of all things cliffside and coastal. Wander along the Estero Bluffs trail, an easy hike with excellent views. You’ll find plenty of trails overlooking the ocean, tide pools filled with lively marine critters, and even rocky coves to explore.

Stroll Along the Pier

The pier was originally built in 1872 by Captain James Cass, the founder of Cayucos. It was instrumental in the growth of Cayucos, providing its early inhabitants with the ability to buy and sell goods. If you’ve ever played Civilization or Caesar III or any of my other favorite PC games from the early 2000’s, you know how crucial that is for any fledgling town.

Anyway, the pier sat basking in its salty glory until 2013, when everyone was like, “uhh … so this pier is straight up antique.” It was closed for safety and completely rebuilt. Today, the pier is brand spankin’ new.

Strolling along the pier is a quintessential thing to do in Cayucos! In addition to a casual stroll, here are my favorite things to do on the pier.

• Whale Watching: The Whale Trail is a collection of sites along the West Coast where you can watch whales during their migration, and the Cayucos Pier is one of those sites. You can watch gray whales heading south in December and January, and back north in March and April. The best time to see them from Cayucos is March and April, where you just might catch mothers and their babies traveling together! Even if you don’t see any whales, chances are you’ll see a dolphin. If you see the one that Jeremy met the first time he went surfing, tell it we said hi.
• Take Pictures for the ‘Gram: The Cayucos pier is HIGHLY Instagrammable. Bring your selfie stick or tripod to take excellent photos of yourself, or just make your travel companions do it. One of the best things about taking photos on the pier is that it isn’t terrible crowded and both sides of the pier are equally as photogenic! In our book, that makes for a travel blogging A+.

• Observe Surfers from a Safe Distance: If your more adventurous travel partners opted to go surfing, the pier is the best place to watch them from a safe distance. You can also watch people you don’t know surf here, too. Don’t worry, it’s not weird. Everyone does it.
• Fishing: The pier is an excellent place to sit and calmly reflect on life while remaining motionless for several hours, or whatever fisher-people do. You’ll have plenty of company!

Hunt for Buried Treasure … in an Antique Store

Cayucos is home to several excellent antique stores, as well as other specialty gift shops. To our delight, they sell much more than just antiques: they’re brimming with locally made crafts, flea market finds, and stunning home goods.

The shops we popped into were extremely well curated, by which I mean that we wanted to buy everything we saw and spent several hours seriously considering re-theming our Oakland apartment into a “beach house.”

If you like coastal, Americana beach themed decor – think anchors, mermaids, driftwood, and horses – pack an extra suitcase so you can stock up on goodies.

Walk down Ocean Ave – the main street in town – and stop into Remember When and Remember When Too (think that’s cute? Peep their business card) and any other delightful shops that pique your fancy!

Hang Out with Pirates … or Cowboys

Cayucos reps beach life and the Wild West at the same time. So instead of the classic “pirates versus ninjas,” you just might find yourself wondering about pirates versus cowboys. There’s only one way to test your theory: get drunk with each of them.

I’m kidding, kind of. But Cayucos does happen to be the home of 2 uniquely themed bars, each of which are well worth the trip.

You’ll find the pirates of Cayucos standing guard outside the entrance to Schooner’s Wharf. Head inside and treat yourself to a drink and some fish & chips while enjoying stunning views over the ocean – it’s what the pirates would have done.

• Schooner’s Wharf | Address: 171 N Ocean Ave, Cayucos, CA

If it’s cowboys you’re after, head across the street and look for the signs. Like a wagon wheel, a giant mural, or maybe a massive sign that says SALOON. It’s not that hard to find.

Lower your expectations before you head inside. If you’re looking for gambling, filth (both literal and figurative), booze, and maybe some live music, head on in. If you prefer your bars to have a little class, try the pirates across the street, you lousy city slicker.

• Old Cayucos Tavern & Card Room | Address: 130 N Ocean Ave, Cayocus, CA

Drink Wine, & Then Drink More Wine (ssh, it’s local)

Cayucos may not be wine country, but it’s wine country adjacent, which is good enough in my book. There is, however, one local tasting room: family-owned Cayucos Cellars. Their wines are made the old fashioned way with wild yeast, which means the wine is both unique to Cayucos and incredibly low in sulfites. We highly recommend spending a few minutes reading through their wine descriptions, which are written like poetry and a refreshing alternative to the usual “notes of pencil shavings in the nose” style blurbs.

If spending a day in wine country is up your alley, you’re in luck: nearby Paso Robles is the Napa of the Central Coast, and makes for an excellent day trip. Head to Paso Robles winery guide for our picks of the best wineries (and restaurants).

Paso Robles is less than 45 minutes away from Cayucos, and the drive from Old Creek Road to 46 into Paso Robles is absolutely stunning. But don’t drive it yourself! Stay safe and book a hop-on, hop-off wine tour, like this one, which we booked during our last trip and highly recommend. You’ll get picked up and dropped off safely, plus you’ll get to custom design your own personal wine tour!

Stuff Yourself Silly with Delicious Food

Cayucos is full of delicious food options, ranging from farm-fresh fancy fare to budget-friendly favorites. Here are our picks for where you absolutely must eat during your trip to Cayucos.

We dined at the Lunada Garden Bistro for our fancy romantic evening meal, and we’re SO glad we did. The restaurant is located in a stunning historic building, with a beautiful ambiance. And the food was out of this world – totally up to our foodie standards! We tried a locally farmed abalone appetizer (you know, they say abalone is the bacon of the sea, and they’re right), a succulent rack of lamb, and a mind-blowing osso bucco. Oh, and we downed a bottle of wine. It was incredible. In addition to dinner, you can visit Lunada Garden Bistro for brunch or lunch – and be sure to sit outside on the beautiful garden patio!

• Lunada Garden Bistro | Address: 78 N Ocean Ave, Cayucos, CA

Once the home of Cayucos’ founder, The Grill at Cass House is now one of the best restaurants in town. The food is farm-to-table, there’s a lovely outdoor patio, and it’s a great spot for a romantic meal.

• The Grill at Cass House | Address: 222 N Ocean Ave, Cayucos, CA

Head to Cayucos Gas Mini Mart for the best Mexican food in town. I know, it looks like I’m telling you to eat at a gas station. And I am, kinda. BUT HERE’S THE THING: this gas station is home to a tiny little Mexican eatery which serves up the best tacos I’ve had since we left Mexico. There are burritos and stuff too, but y’all, you need these tacos. You NEED them! Also, major bonus points if you’re there on Taco Tuesday: the tacos are only 99 cents. Bless.

Big shout-out to all of the locals who steered me here, because I never in a million years would have guessed how amazing this place was. You guys just have to trust me on this.

• Cayucos Gas Mini Mart | Address: 198 N Ocean Ave, Cayucos, CA

They may not be authentically Mexican, but the smoked fish tacos at Ruddell’s Smokehouse are a Cayucos local legend. Everything served at the smokehouse is fresh and local, including the fish. Try the smoked salmon, which is rubbed with brown sugar and finished with an apricot glaze.

• Ruddell’s Smokehouse | Address: 101 D Street, Cayucos, CA

Stuff Yourself Silly with Cookies

Yeah, yeah, we could have lumped this into the last section. But we think Brown Butter Cookie Company deserves its own mention because the cookies are seriously next-level.

Stop by the inviting pink building to test the melt-in-your-mouth butter cookies sprinkled with crunchy sea salt. They’re incredibly simple … and mind-blowingly good.

You’ll find a few classic flavors like chocolate or honey, and seasonally rotating flavors like Coconut Lime and Bourbon. There are even gluten-free options! We dare you to have just one. It’s physically impossible.

• Brown Butter Cookie Company | Address: 98 N Ocean Ave

Take a Long Walk on the Beach

Cayucos has miles of sandy beach to explore, perfect for taking long, contemplative walks. Along the shore, you’ll find sea glass and drift wood. But the best part? You’ll also find lots of happy, frolicking dogs!

Cayucos is incredibly dog friendly and there’s no shortage of friendly puppies to vicariously pretend are actually YOUR dog. No, just us? Are we the only dogless creepers?

Head out before noon to enjoy the foggy coastal air, or after dinner to catch the evening sun setting over the Pacific. Keep walking after dark and you just might hear the evening chorus of frogs over the crashing waves!

Celebrate at a Festival

Cayucos hosts many excellent festivals each year, so take your pick. Here are a few of our faves.

Sea Glass Festival

The first time I heard about the Sea Glass Festival, it was because one of Jeremy’s friends back home said she was going to a Mermaid Ball in Cayucos. And I remember being like, “well, of COURSE there’s a Mermaid Ball in Cayucos.” If a Mermaid Ball was ever going to exist anywhere, it was going to exist here.

Anyway, the Mermaid Ball is just ONE PART of the Sea Glass Festival, which lasts for a whole weekend in March. But the entire month of March is all about mermaids in Cayucos. They say Sea Glass is mermaid tears, which definitely has more of a ring to it than “polished lumps of un-recycled trash” or “nature’s way of saying ‘screw you, humanity, I’m going to make lemonade out of all this trash you keep dumping in my oceans.'” Pick up something pretty and mermaid-y, and wear it every day so you remember to recycle any glass bottles you happen to encounter.

Polar Bear Dip

Every year on New Years Day, thousands of Cayucans and Central Coast dwellers alike don their weirdest outfits and converge on the beach for one of the chilliest annual traditions: the Carlin Soule Memorial Polar Bear Dip.

The celebration is named for its founder, Carlin Soule, who decided that Cayucos was way too boring on New Years Day and somehow managed to convince thousands of people that jumping into the freezing cold Pacific Ocean without a wetsuit was precisely the thing to zhoosh it up. FYI, I did a lot of research, and yes, “zhoosh” is how you spell it. Here’s my source. 

Antique Faire

Twice a year, the streets of Cayucos – er, sorry, the street of Cayucos – shuts down to traffic and turns into a bustling Antique Faire. Peruse over 50 vendors selling all manner of goods and shop until you drop. Then, pick yourself back up, eat some cookies, and shop some more.

Take a Day Trip from Cayucos

Cayucos is an excellent spot to base yourself while exploring the stunning Central Coast region. We’ve got a giant guide to places to visit on the Central Coast, but here are some of our top picks for day trips from Cayucos!

Ride a Clydesdale & eat some pie in Cambria

Head to Cambria for Covell’s California Clydesdale’s Ranch, the only place in the country where you can ride giant Clydesdale horses! Sitting 6 feet up in the air on your truck-sized horse, you’ll have sweeping views of the ranch and the hills.

Afterwards, treat yourself to a slice of Olallieberry Pie from Linn’s Bakery. An olallieberry pie is raspberry mixed with a blackberry mixed with another blackberry. It’s a semi sweet and semi tart berry that takes the best traits of all 3 berries, plus has a super fun name and is one of the most famous spots in the Central Coast.

Meet otters in Morro Bay

Jeremy’s hometown of Morro Bay is a natural harbor and marine sanctuary. Walk the adorable Embarcadero and you’ll spot otters playing in the water! We once saw 32 when one afternoon – all snuggling with tiny otter babies!!! We nearly died of cuteness.

To get even more up close and personal with the otters, rent a kayak at  Kayak Horizons. You’ll be paddling right alongside otters and sea lions!

Go dune buggying & eat Cinnamon Rolls in Pismo Beach

Head to Pismo Beach and rent an ATV made to careen over the sand dunes at Sun Buggy. Dune buggying is basically like being on a roller coaster, only there’s no track and you’re the one controlling the wheel. Ahhh!

After your thrill ride, head to Old West Cinnamon Rolls for a giant, old-fashioned sugary treat. Be sure to get it with cream cheese icing…  and here’s a pro trip from us to you: if you order it on the side, you get a little extra.

Visit Hearst Castle (& meet Elephant Seals) in San Simeon

Head north up the Pacific Coast Highway from Cayucos to San Simeon, where you’ll find the world famous Hearst Castle. If you’re into rich people doing rich people things, you’re gonna love it.

We recommend taking a guided tour like this one to learn about the story behind this ridiculous, gawdy mansion and its creator, William Randolph Hearst (about whom the movie Citizen Kane is based)  and to hear some of the fabulous stories about the stars that partied here.

Once you’re feeling sufficiently plebeian, hop back in the car and head to the Piedras Blanca Elephant Seal Rookery. There’s nothing like watching a horde of elephant seals to make you feel better about yourself.

If you’re imagining regular seals, stop right now and Google elephant seals. They’re like, the doofiest, ugliest, least majestic, laziest animals ever and so of course we think they’re adorable and absolutely love them. The best time to see these lumps of blubber is January – March, when you can see tiny, flompy little fat elephant seal babies! Oooh, we just love them so much.

Where to Stay in Cayucos

The Shoreline Inn on the Beach is the only Cayucos lodging that’s actually ON the beach (hence the name). Book one of their oceanfront rooms to wake up to the sound of waves crashing on the shore and fall asleep to the sound of frogs chirping over the waves (we were impressed, too).

The Shoreline Inn is conveniently located smack-dab in the middle of downtown, within close walking distance to most of the stuff on our list right on central Ocean Avenue. It’s also, we are happy to report, directly across the street from Luna Coffee Bar, in case you need a second coffee after your included breakfast and coffee (look, you’re going to have just try not to judge us for our raging caffeine addiction, OK?).

The Shoreline Inn is beloved by the many families who return to Cayucos regularly for their vacations, so book early, especially around the holidays. But deals can be found during mid-week and in off-season, when you can snap up a room for as low as $130! Find deals for the Shoreline Inn on Booking.com by clicking here or on the big, pretty pink button below!

There are also some really great places on Airbnb, if you search go at the right time you can get some great deals, otherwise they do tend to be peak season pricey! This oceanfront house has a great deck for optimum beachy vibes and cocktails at sunset. Or this super cute Mermaid Cabin which has kayaks you can rent from the owner. 

I hope you’re feeling good and inspired to rent a car, hop on the Pacific Coast Highway, and check out the Central Coast! Psst: We have a bunch of other posts about traveling in California. Take a look:

• The Ultimate 10-Day California Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Itinerary
• The 32 Best Pacific Coast Highway Stops
• 12 Adorable Things to do in Morro Bay, California: A Local’s Guide
• The Booze & Food Guide to Paso Robles, California
• 8 Quintessential Places to Visit on California’s Central Coast

Planning a Highway One road trip? We’ve created a detailed 10-day California Coast road trip itinerary to help you plan! Enter your email below and we’ll send you a printable version, plus tips to plan your trip.

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Disclaimer: Our visit to Cayucos was sponsored by the Shoreline Inn on the Beach. We would also like to thank Lunada Garden Bistro and the Luna Coffee Bar for their generous contributions to our amazing visit. All opinions are our own, and any inaccuracies or bad jokes are completely on us and absolutely not their fault.