Bell tents near Cayucos with fishing
Come camping for the surfing and stay for Cayucos’ ocean views, sea caves, and tide pools.
- Cayucos
Popular camping styles for Cayucos
Bell tents near Cayucos with fishing guide
Overview
Just north of Morro Bay on Highway 1, Cayucos is a compact coastal community and home to Cayucos State Beach, a popular surfing, kayaking, and tide-pooling destination. Even better, Cayucos camping gives you the best of both worlds—access to California wine country and the rugged Central Coast. Camping is not allowed at Cayucos State Beach, but those looking to get back to nature can instead head to a variety of private Hipcamp campsites, RV parks, and deluxe glamping cottages—or hit other nearby state beaches. Want to explore the inland landscapes? Relax while wine tasting in Paso Robles, or go camping in Los Padres National Forest for scenic horseback riding and mountain biking trails.
Where to go
San Luis Obispo County
There's plenty to explore right in San Luis Obispo County, from pretty beaches to inland trails. Morro Strand State Beach offers ocean views with three miles of sandy shoreline known for their gusts, which are prime for windsurfing and kitesurfing, while Pismo Beach features two year-round campgrounds with easy access to surfing, dog-friendly walks, and fishing at the local pier. The Morro Bay State Park campground is perched on a saltwater lagoon teeming with shorebirds and home to both tent and RV camping sites with full hookups. Plus, campsite views of the 581-foot Morro Rock are a huge plus.
Santa Barbara County
Encompassing a good portion of the Central Coast region and the areas inland from it, Santa Barbara County offers a mix of chic communities and cute, old-timey towns, historic Spanish Colonial architecture, and a celebrated wine country. Popular state beaches include El Capitán State Beach and Refugio State Beach, both offering campsites year-round.
Los Padres National Forest
For a heavy dose of the great outdoors, head inland and into Los Padres National Forest, southeast of Cayucos. Here you'll find miles of hiking trails and lots of public campgrounds, some of which have views out on the ocean. Cerro Alto Campground is best for horseback riding and mountain biking trails, while other daytime activities include popping into Paso Robles for wine tasting.
When to go
With a mild, Mediterranean climate, Cayucos is a great place to go camping no matter the season, with highs rarely exceeding the upper 60s (and if they do, it's generally in late summer or early fall). Summers are dry, while winters get a bit of rainfall. Fall is the most popular time for surfing, while winter is a great time to see migratory whales.
