Cayucos, CA

Find tons of family fun in Cayucos! Hit the waves (or the sand) at Cayucos State Beach. With six miles of white sand beach that stretch to the famous Morro Rock, Cayucos State Beach starts in the charming seaside town of Cayucos and is one of the best in California for surfing, swimming, tidepooling, and soaking up the sun. The beach boasts nearby parking, picnic facilities, outdoor showers and restrooms, as well as easy access. The Cayucos Pier was constructed in 1872 by Captain James Cass, and is a remnant from the days when Cayucos represented an important commercial port for ships sailing from Los Angeles to San Francisco. Rebuilt in 2015, the 982-foot pier remains a favorite spot for fishing, taking in epic Pacific Coast sunsets, and even whale-watching.

Cayucos

Cayucos, California, United States

Cayucos has several murals that are fun to see. As you walk around our little town, see if you can find them all!

Cayucos, CA

Surfers love catching waves in and around Cayucos for its ideal conditions and for beaches less crowded than Morro Bay to the south. Expansive ocean views, one of California’s best beaches, and the quaint, walkable town of Cayucos make this surf spot exceptional. Water temperatures across this state beach average 52 and 60 degrees F, so it’s wise to bring your wetsuit, hood, gloves and booties. (Ideally, these should be 4/3 mm thick for temperatures 52 degrees F and up.) The air temperature ranges between 44 and 74 degrees F, so you’ll want to bring a warm towel and comfy sweatshirt for afterward, too!

Cayucos

Cayucos, California, United States

The Central Coast of California has many unique art galleries that will interest visitors of all ages.

750 Hearst Castle Road
San Simeon, CA

These easy 4-mile out-and-back trails skirt the eastern side of Whale Rock Reservoir, the smallest reservoir in San Luis Obispo County. Built in 1961, the dam was named after historic whalers who watched for whales swimming through Estero Bay. Today the 1,350-acre reservoir supplies San Luis Obispo County with water. At about 4 miles, the Estero Bluffs Trail runs north to south overlooking the beach. A series of lateral trails connect to the wide, flat main trail from informal parking areas just off Highway 1. (In other words, a hike at Estero Bluffs can be as long or short as you’d like it to be.) The beach is accessible to those willing to scramble down a trail near San Geronimo Creek. Be aware, however, that to get from cove to cove, you’ll need to cross some tidal rocks. Dogs are allowed, on leash. From the south, travel north on Highway 1 and pass Cayucos. The Estero Bluffs State Park lies on the ocean side of the highway. Find several pullouts and ample room to park throughout the park’s four-mile stretch. Access is best found at the trailhead at San Geronimo Road. Find the restored windmill on the left and park at the pullout.

Cayucos

Cayucos, California, United States

Along this abundant stretch of California’s Highway 1 lies so much to explore. And while the natural beauty of its white-sand beaches, majestic mountains and rolling vineyards shines brightly, so too does our cultural heritage. Here, a vibrant community of artists, performers, historians and storytellers brings joy, fellowship and creativity to life on Highway 1. Wander the hallowed halls of one of the world’s foremost art collectors, William Randolph Hearst, at Hearst Castle. Take a walking tour of historic buildings and architecture in Cambria. Visit inventive murals painted on surfaces across the beach town of Cayucos. Bring little ones to a children’s garden to get up close and personal with the indigenous plants that grow along Highway 1. And indulge in belly-laughter in one of the world’s only true melodrama theaters. Music, art, drama and history come together here in a rich, accessible, and enriching environment for the whole family.

400 S Dolliver St
Pismo Beach, CA

Did you know that a group of Monarch butterflies is called a kaleidoscope? Want to see more Monarch butterflies? The Western Monarch Trail shares the best sites to see these gentle, iconic creatures as they migrate across the West. The trail is a partnership between the Central Coast State Parks Association (CCSPA) and multiple organizations working to preserve and steward natural resources.

1863 Front St
Oceano, CA

There are several places to take in a live performance on the Central Coast, from plays to concerts to old-fashioned Melodramas! Most outdoor live-music performances are family friendly and even pet friendly!