California's Overlooked Coastal Town Offers A Laid-Back Getaway With Uncrowded Beaches

California is full of beautiful towns along the coast, and there is no shortage of great beaches to choose from. However, they're not all alike. Some have a livelier atmosphere, like Santa Monica in Southern California, where a brightly lit pier offers amusement park rides. If you're looking for a quiet getaway, a place to relax on the sand, and a peaceful vibe without crowds of people, you may want to visit Cayucos, located along the Central Coast of California.

Cayucos is a quiet town, sometimes overlooked as a tourist destination in favor of more recognizable names like Pismo Beach, Cambria, or Santa Barbara. However, it's perfect if you're looking for a calm getaway. One commenter on Reddit's r/howislivingthere says, "Cayucos is your best option for quiet beach towns." In r/northcounty, someone calls it "a dream," while in r/Cayucos, a poster says, "I've always loved Cayucos. Real quiet and beautiful beach town." Even the town's official Instagram page says it has a "laid back vibe." However, that doesn't mean there is nothing to do in Cayucos. You can stroll along the pretty pier or fish from it without a license, try surfing for the first time, and enjoy shopping and dining along Ocean Avenue.

The main beach in Cayucos is Cayucos State Beach. Visit California describes Cayucos's beach as six miles long. This is the perfect place for a quiet stroll, some swimming, or surfing. It's also close to town, so make sure you bring a beach bag so you can walk with everything you need. You can even bring your leashed pup with you. This is also a great beach for tidepool exploration, particularly if you have kids along, and there are lifeguards on duty during the summer. The beach has free entry, and there are restrooms for public use. One thing to note, however, is that the water can be chilly here, and you may prefer a wetsuit to a bathing suit. If you plan on doing some fishing from the pier, you can try for catches like surfperch, cabezon, lingcod, halibut, or striped bass, among other species.

The historic pier is a lovely spot for an evening walk. It's lit up after dark for night fishing and is the perfect place to watch the sun set. It's also a great location to watch surfers doing their thing. If you want another quiet, nearby beach to visit, hit Sandspit Beach in Morro Bay, one of the best hidden beaches in California, a bit over 13 miles away by car.

The charming town of Cayucos looks like it came straight from the Old West, and there are plenty of shopping and dining spots to check out. This is the place to look for antiques if you want a unique find. Main Street Antiques on Ocean Avenue has a 4.8/5 rating on Yelp, with all sorts of treasures from yesteryear. Remember When Too Antique Mall has antiques and vintage items and a patio area as well.

Hidden Kitchen's Cayucos location serves dishes you can enjoy on a patio with a beach view. They have treats like hand-pressed blue corn tacos, blue corn waffles, carnitas, scrambled eggs, and adult beverages. However, they do close at 3 p.m. If you're looking for a drink in the evening, you can hit the Old Cayucos Tavern & Cardroom. Their tagline is "liquor in the front, poker in the rear," and in addition to drinks in this Western-style bar, there is live music and poker in the back room. Speaking of drinks, you can do some wine tasting at Cayucos Cellars in nearby Cambria from Friday through Monday.

The closest airport to Cayucos is San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP), around 25 miles away. If you're looking for something larger, Cayucos is 139 miles from Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT). Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is 209 miles away if you're coming in from the south. It's best to have a car for this trip, particularly if you want to explore the nearby towns and beaches. For instance, you may want to take a side trip to Hearst Castle, a beautiful stop along the Pacific Coast Highway, which is around a half-hour drive. You can also visit nearby San Luis Obispo, an artsy city with scenic vineyards.