Around three years ago at this very moment we were searching the internet for weekend getaways.

We wanted to go some place we had not seen before, something other than the local beaches or the theme parks. My kids love water so it had to be a beach town. At that moment Santa Barbara seemed to be our best option. We have been there so many times so decided to do more digging and see if there were other options.

While dragging the map here and there I stumbled upon Cayucos.

Hmm, interesting.

First things first, how do you pronounce it. Is it Kay-kos or ka-u-kos.

The latter one turned out to be the right pronunciation. Excitedly I told my husband. It seemed doable and there were a lot of attractions nearby. We wanted a beachfront hotel so found a room at Shoreline Inn.

Cayucos is around 2 hours drive, west of  Santa Barbara. We drove beside the ocean for a while then the roads took an inward turn and soon there was lush green carpets everywhere. The drive is soo peaceful unlike the stressed smog laden  Los Angeles.

Cayucos is located in the San Luis Obispo County between Morro Bay and Cambria. Its a small laid back town with a population of around 2600. It is ideal for any one wanting a break from everyday stress or for families with kids who want vacation.

The moment you roll in the town you get a very warm feeling. You can see people strolling on the sidewalks or biking. Best part I liked was that there is no fast food chain or big restaurants or fancy shops.  All the shops and eateries are family owned.

We stayed at Shoreline Inn, a beautiful motel on the beach. The ladies at the front desk of Shoreline Inn were very friendly. They told us in detail how to make the most of our getaway.

After unpacking and settling in we enjoyed on the beach. The view was breath taking. There is a nice, clean play structure on the beach where the kids can have oodles of fun and the parents can relax.

The famous Morro Rock can be clearly seen from the beach. Surfers are often seen enjoying in the waters.

 

 

Later we strolled around the town. There are fine vintage shops with hidden gems. I found a vintage ruby ring nestled in the corner of one of the vintage shops. The owners were very friendly and gave me a good discount. They also help you find something specific you are looking for. People around are very friendly and it seems like an knitted community. The town has some nice graffiti too.

We ate at a couple of restaurants but our favorites were Ruddell’s Smokehouse, Sea Shanty with their fantastic collection of caps , Schooners, OceanFront Pizza and for breakfast Top Dog Coffee Bar who serve the best bagels, large range of coffee and scrumptious acai bowls. Do not forget to get a relaxing massage or facial at Cayucos Aloha Spa which carries some top notch skin and body products.

 

 Since then we have been going to Cayucos atleast twice a year. Luckily on VRBO we were able to find a nice property Seagull Motel which has been our favorite place to stay. The property is in top condition and it seems the owners have decorated it with passion. It is centrally located and is just a short walk from the beach.

So next time you need a break drive down to Cayucos. It will be one well spent, chillaxed getaway and if you do go, let me know what did you enjoy the best.