California's 'Little Slice Of Paradise' Is A Hidden Beach Town Full Of Shops & Coastal Charm

There are lots of cute beach towns along California's central coast, but these days, it's hard to find one that still feels undiscovered. Then you reach Cayucos. The picturesque town is bordered by a state park and large reservoir. A state beach and historic pier stand along the waterfront. Plus antique stores, surf shops, and colorful murals line town center. Cayucos is exactly what you have been looking for.

The spot on Estero Bay was originally the home of the Chumash people. They named the area Cayucos, or "Canoes," after their fishing vessels. Cayucos sits between Cambria, a village for a cozy seaside vacation, and Morro Bay, an underrated California city, along the Pacific Coast Highway in San Luis Obispo County. The small town is now home to a tight-knit community of about 2,500 people. They call their charming beach town a "Little Slice of Paradise." The nickname certainly fits.

Though you came for the beach, it's easy to get distracted on Ocean Avenue. Cayucos' main road has unique shops, including antique stores, a leather designer, and an art gallery that makes cool t-shirts. Cayucos Surf Company and Good Clean Fun sell and rent surf gear. Cayucos Yoga offers drop-in classes. Plus, there are so many eye-catching murals on the sides of buildings around town that the Cayucos Mural Society created a map, facilitating a self-guided tour for visitors.

You will also find plenty of places to eat along Ocean Avenue. Mornings start with a caffeine fix at either Cayucos Coffee or Luna Coffee Bar. Brown Butter Cookie Company makes addictive shortbread cookies sprinkled with sea salt. Surfers grab a Chicago-style hot dog and a beer at Beach Bums after a day on the water. Then dinner options include farm-to-table dishes at Lunada Garden Bistro and freshly caught seafood at Schooners or the Sea Shanty.

A lot of bed and breakfasts and refurbished motels are within walking distance of these restaurants. Shoreline Inn (from $229 per night) sits directly on the sand. On the Beach Bed & Breakfast (from $239 per night) is right across from Cayucos Pier. While the recently renovated Pacific Motel (from $179 per night), just a block inland, has fire pits, loaner bikes, and outdoor showers.

Now that you are starting to feel at home in Cayucos, it's time to turn your attention toward the ocean, just like the locals do. Cayucos State Beach is the heart of town. It's a six-mile stretch of white sand with consistent surf waves, whale sightings, and epic sunsets. The Cayucos Pier, built by Cayucos founder Captain James Cass in the 1870s, juts into Estero Bay from the beach. There are always fishermen trying to catch skate and surfperches on the long, wooden pier.

North of the pier, you will find Estero Bluffs State Park. The state park is relatively new — it was only established in 2002 — though its 355 acres of coastal terraces and wetlands are vital to the area's marine habitat. Keep an eye out for sea otters and endangered snowy plovers while hiking the 7.1-mile Estero Bluffs Trail that hugs the coastline.

The Whale Rock Reservoir is a second option for a great hike. This 4.1-mile trail does not have an ocean view, but views along the rolling hills that border the nearly 600-acre reservoir are still impressive. A sighting of one of its three resident bald eagles will take your breath away, as well. If you are still feeling adventurous, you can always drive farther down the coast to Pismo Beach, another picture-perfect California beach town with something for everyone. You are starting to see why everyone around here considers Cayucos California's "Little Slice of Paradise."