Is Cayucos the Last Unspoiled Beach Town?
Tips for the perfect day trip.
Courtesy of Anya Shah
As California’s coastal towns become increasingly glossy and expensive, is Cayucos the last true beach town? Between Cambria and Morro Bay, Cayucos remains stubbornly understated and diametrically opposed to the flooding of corporate brands—it has yet to see a single Starbucks, even. Instead, the beach town offers surf shops, gas station burritos, and a plethora of antique stores and smoothie windows. Growing up, my family and I frequently visited Cayucos on day trips from Paso Robles, and it truly is a singular place. Here’s my guide to the town:
Eat and Drink
Once you arrive in Cayucos, start with a smoothie from the ordering window at Hidden Kitchen, then enjoy it on the beach. If you have time to sit down for a full meal, get their savory blue corn waffles for breakfast. Later in the day, head up the street and order a burrito from the small Mexican restaurant inside Cayucos Gas Mini Mart. The restaurant is actually inside the gas station—but the burritos are delicious and a local obsession for a reason. At the end of your day, stop at Brown Butter Cookie Co. and grab some cookies for the drive home.
Shop
Other than the beach, the main attraction in Cayucos is definitely the antique shopping. Main Street is lined with antique stores, including Main Street Antiques, Remember When, and Remember When Too, where you could easily spend an afternoon browsing. The shops are filled with glassware, silverware, vintage records, clothing, and timeless pieces like Mosser bowls and pitchers, as well as colorful quartz kitchenware. Even if you’re not looking to buy anything, they’re worth wandering through. For a more Cayucos-specific souvenir, stop by Cayucos Collective or Cayucos Surf Company to pick up a hoodie, hat, or magnet.
Do
Courtesy of Anya Shah
Book a surfing lesson at Good Clean Fun Surf and Sport, or rent fishing gear, kayaking equipment, a wetsuit, or a surfboard from them and head out on your own. If none of those options appeal to you, walk a few miles along the beach and look through the tide pools. Bring your dog along, because the beaches are pet-friendly.