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Staycation, anyone? SLO County spot ranked among top ‘quaint coastal towns’ in West

Planning a staycation? San Luis Obispo County is home to one of the best quaint coastal towns to visit on the West Coast, according to AAA.

The automobile association recently came up with a list of the top “waterfront communities to see the sights, grab a meal and experience unique perks.”

“The West is full of charming coastal towns with surprising features,” AAA writer Laura Kiniry wrote in a June 18 article titled “8 Quaint Coastal Towns in the West.”

Those include two Central Coast spots: Cayucos and Carmel-by-the-Sea and Cayucos.

A multi-use trail connecting Cayucos and Morro Bay will offer scenic views of the coast along Highway 1, replacing dirt paths with a safe route away from the highway. Construction is set to start in 2025.
A multi-use trail connecting Cayucos and Morro Bay will offer scenic views of the coast along Highway 1, replacing dirt paths with a safe route away from the highway. Construction is set to start in 2025. John Dinunzio, San Luis Obispo Council of Governments

What makes Cayucos a popular West Coast destination?

AAA described Cayucos as California’s “coolest little beach town.”

“Along with miles of beach, visitors can stroll along the historic pier — a perfect place for catching the sunset — or peruse downtown’s antique stores and specialty shops, all perched along an easily walkable stretch,” Kiniry wrote.

Things to do in Cayucos include hiking at Estero Bluffs State Park and exploring “kelp beds and hard-to-access beaches” on a kayak tour led by Good Clean Fun, AAA said.

Local restaurants and stores worth a visit, according to the automobile association, include:

Why is Carmel-by-the-Sea a top coastal town?

“A whimsical seaside village on California’s Monterey Peninsula, Carmel draws crowds with its bevy of 1920s cottages that look like something out of a fairytale,” Kiniry wrote.

Other attractions include a variety of upscale shops and Carmel Beach, “a favorite among surfers and dogs,” AAA said.

According to the automobile association, local restaurants and shops worth visiting include Bruno’s Market and Deli and Cottage of Sweets.

A kayaker successfully navigates a wave on a warm Saturday in Cayucos on Nov. 27, 2021. Surfers took advantage of offshore winds and a head-high swell.
A kayaker successfully navigates a wave on a warm Saturday in Cayucos on Nov. 27, 2021. Surfers took advantage of offshore winds and a head-high swell. Laura Dickinson ldickinson@thetribunenews.com

AAA: Check out these quaint coastal communities

Here’s the full list of coastal communities worth check out on the West Coast, according to AAA:

  • Cayucos
  • Carmel-by-the-Sea
  • Neskowin, Oregon
  • Seabrook, Washington
  • Sequim, Washington
  • Seward, Alaska
Sarah Linn
The Tribune
Sarah Linn is an editor and reporter on the West Service Journalism Team, working with journalists in Sacramento, Modesto, Fresno, Merced and San Luis Obispo in California and Bellingham, Olympia and Tri-Cities in Washington, as well as Boise, Idaho. She previously served as the Local/Entertainment Editor of The Tribune in San Luis Obispo, working there for nearly two decades. A graduate of Oregon State University, she has earned multiple California journalism awards.
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