Page 61 - SLO Visitors Guide Summer 2023

Cayucos
Cayucos—The crown of vintage California coastal villages
Small town soul with a world beat
Considered by many to be one of the last California vintage surf towns, Cayucos is a surprising
fusion of small town soul with a world beat. Its village charm, vast stretches of spectacular California coast line, some of the best food and wine, family dining and shop- ping in the region makes Cayucos a favorite for locals and visitors.
The name, Cayucos, is the Spanish word for the canoes used by the Chumash who originally inhabited the area. The town took its name from the original Mexican land grant,
Rancho Moro
y Cayucos.
Shopping, strolling and surfing
Surfing, stand up pad- dle boarding, skin diving, swimming, and boats are certainly tradi- tions rooted
in the town’s relationship with the ocean.
The buildings are
an eclectic
collection of
architecture that house local busi- nesses including antique shops, gift shops, candy and ice cream shops, surf shops, fine dining, and an old-world tavern. The Cayucos Pier, originally built by town founder, Captain James Cass in 1867, is a popular location for fishing, strolls and watching surfers, dolphins, sea lions and otters. The annual New Years Day Polar Bear Dip is held in full view of the pier. Hundreds of
people show up each year to take the icy plunge and cheer on the swim- mers.
Sea glass collectors
and beach walkers enjoy miles of shoreline. Serious beach walk- ers can hike
the beach from Cayucos to Morro Bay, except at high tide. Leashed dogs are welcome along most of the beach and there is a small section along the way known as Dog Beach, one of the few where dogs are al- lowed off-leash.
Kites, wind and waves
It’s not unusual to see a few kites, or more, dancing in the breezy beach sky. The breeze makes
the beach a perfect place to see
how high your kite can go and how many tricks you can make it do. The wind and waves create perfec- tion for some brisk windsurfing and the waves are known to give surfers some challenging rides.
Always something to do
Just off Highway 1, and about 30 minutes from Hearst Castle, Cayucos is a great place for a travel
break or to spend a few to several days. There are a variety of hotels and accommodations, many with beachfront views, and lots of things to do and see for the entire family. The town is also famous for
many different street fairs and fes- tivals throughout the year. Discover all there is to see and do in Cayucos by checking out the Cayucos Cham- ber of Commerce event calendar at cayucoschamber.com.
CayucosSausage.com
(805) 900-5377
12 N. Ocean Ave. Ste. 121 Cayucos, CA 93430
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Full-Service Deli & Meat Market