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Cayucos Pier - Break Data
Surf spot travel photo of Cayucos Pier
Description
Cayucos, a quaint seaside hamlet plopped down along Highway 1 between the relative metropolis of Morro Bay and the glistening greens of Harmony (population 18), was rated last year by Men's Journal magazine as one of its 25 favorite "hideouts and secret spots." Cayucos (an Aleutian word for "kayak" or "canoe," pronounced ky-YOO-cuss) was first settled as Cass Landing, after New Englander Captain James Cass stuck down his roots in 1867. He and his bros built the 953-foot-long pier, which has since provided countless days of ridable waves for the community's ever-increasing number of surfers.

The Cayucos Pier was first brought to life for the surfing world through a 1982 surf magazine article. While the article explained the overall adversity of the area, the accompanying photographs portrayed the pier's wave to be a crispy, clean, green and predominantly right-hand barrel polished by icy offshores. Newsflash! The photos lie.

Cayucos Pier is essentially a hollow closeout, but that's certainly not to say you won't/can't stumble upon some peelers off the pilings. A long-standing affiliate of the Central Coast's exclusive Fickle Spot Club (FSC), the Cayucos Pier is definitely lousy more often than not, but one noteworthy aspect is that the place is sheltered from the prevailing northerly winds, deeming Cayucos a bit warmer than surrounding area.

This means, of course, that it's more conducive to tourists and fair-weather surfers, most of whom still wax the bottom of their boards. There are some young rippers, so don't be shocked if you see some kid boosting fat air off the end sections. All said, Cayucos Pier is a decent spot to ride some waves along the Central Coast, but don't go in expecting Huntington Beach or even Pismo. 		Best Tide:
higher
Best Swell Direction:
W, SW
Best Size:
waist-high to a few feet overhead
Best Wind:
NE
Perfect-O-Meter:
3 (1=Lake Erie; 10=Jeffreys Bay)
Bottom:
Sand, with a few rocks to the south
Ability Level:
beginner to intermediate
Bring Your:
shortboard, longboard
Best Season:
spring through fall
Access:
Exit Highway 1 onto Cayucos Drive and go west. You can't miss the pier, as it's the focal point of downtown Cayucos.
Crowd Factor:
Other people in the water can be a factor, but it's fairly simple to get the pier all to yourself if you show up early on a weekday.
Local Vibe:
Not much of one. Just smile and make small-talk with the natives.
Bicep Burn:
3 to 4 (1=1ft Waikiki; 10=15ft Ocean Beach)
Poo Patrol:
1 (1=clean; 10=turds in the lineup)
Hazards:
Fishing lines, sharks
Places To Eat
Really no nightlife in ol' Cayucos (what did you expect?) besides the Old Cayucos Tavern (130 N. Ocean Ave., 805-995-3209). It's a good place to knock back a few cold ones, and you're guaranteed some intriguing conversation. For American-style grubbin', try the American Grill (78 N. Ocean Ave., 805-995-1076). For the morning caffeine fix, Kelly's Espresso Shop (155 N. Ocean Ave., 805-995-2980) comes to the rescue and is especially vital for those infamously freezing Cayucos dawn patrols.

Spool some spaghetti or pop some meatballs down the street at Lou and Shenly's Italian Restaurant (49 S. Ocean Ave., 805-995-2626) or watch guys flail in the pier's afternoon wind-pocked slop from your table in the Pier Cafe (55 Cayucos Dr., 805-995-2032). The Sea Shanty (296 S. Ocean Ave., 805-995-3272) and Skippers Restaurant (113 N. Ocean, 805-995-1122) are both worthy eateries, providing some tres bon sea fare and down-home atmosphere. Those of you visiting from San Diego County may feel safely at home inside of Taco Temple (101 D St., 805-995-1814), indeed a grounds of worship for burrito hounds and fajita fanatics.
Places To Stay
Cayucos proper contains several humble choices for lodging, and the management of each place is generally amiable and accommodating: Beachwalker Inn (501 S. Ocean Ave., 800-750-2133 or 805-995-2133); Cayucos Motel (20 S. Ocean Ave., 888-229-8267 or 805-995-3670); Cypress Tree Motel (125 S. Ocean Ave., 800-241-4289); Dolphin Inn (399 S. Ocean Ave., 800-540-4276); Estero Bay Motel (25 S. Ocean Ave., 800-736-1292 or 805-995-3614); Seaside Motel (42 S. Ocean Ave., 800-549-0900 or 805-995-3809); Shoreline Inn (1 N. Ocean Ave., 800-549-2244 or 805-995-3681).

For deeper pockets, the Saltbox is a refurbished, B and B version of ol' Captain Cass' vintage 1880s-era residence, with three separate living spaces each with their own entrance and patio. Check it out at 150 D St. or 888-725-8269. Another cutesy little B and B is the Victorian Rose Garden at 391 D St., 805-995-3382.

Pilots of oversize Winnebagos can discover refuge in the Bella Vista Travel Trailer Lodge (501 S. Ocean Ave., 805-995-3644), the sole RV park in town. Spartan, woodsy types will generally loathe the gravelly, asphalt ambiance of the campground at South Morro Strand State Beach (104 campsites, showers and restrooms; 805-772-2560, www.parks.ca.gov), which sprawls uncomfortably close to Highway 1.

The popular campground at San Simeon State Beach (201 campsites, 805-927-2020) lies several miles north of Cayucos, up San Simeon Creek Road, beyond the northern boundary of Cambria.

Or try
Things To Do
Pier-fishing is a great way to pass the time if the waves suck, and chances are they will. For the lowdown, check out www.cayucosbythesea.com/fishing2.html. For general area info, step into the Cayucos Chamber of Commerce at 241 S. Ocean Ave., 805-995-1200 or 800563-1878, www.centralcoast.com/CayucosChamber
Surf Shops
For gear, try the Cayucos Surf Company (95 Cayucos Dr., 805-995-1000) or Good Clean Fun Surf and Sport (136 N. Ocean Ave., 805-995-1993).
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