Cayucos, California Short-Term Rental Market
Cayucos STRs averaged $355/night at 53.4% occupancy in April 2026, with monthly revenue up 3.95% year over year.
Quick Answer: Cayucos, California is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the San Luis Obispo market area is 60%. average monthly revenue in the San Luis Obispo market area is $6,949. average daily rate in the San Luis Obispo market area is $438. the top operator in the San Luis Obispo market area is Seven Sisters Vacation Rentals with 141 listings. market score is 75/100 (grade B).
Market data reflects the San Luis Obispo regional market, which includes Cayucos. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Cayucos.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Cayucos is a small coastal community in San Luis Obispo County with a concentrated short-term rental market. The market tracks approximately 4,448 listings across channels. Entire-place rentals dominate with 4,174 listings (94% of total), 273 private rooms, and just 1 shared room. The bedroom mix is relatively balanced: 1-bedroom units lead at 1,498 listings, 2-bedroom at 1,096, 3-bedroom at 1,109, 4-bedroom at 465, and 5-bedroom at 276. Notably, dual-listed (Airbnb and VRBO) listings number 2,301, making the cross-platform overlap unusually high, with 1,804 Airbnb-exclusive and 343 VRBO-exclusive listings.
In April 2026, the market posted an average daily rate of $355, an occupancy rate of 53.4%, and RevPAR of $189.32. Average monthly revenue was $4,963. Year over year, ADR gained 2.65% while occupancy was essentially flat (-0.40 percentage points), producing a net revenue gain of 3.95%. The composite market score is 74.81 out of 100, led by an exceptional revenue growth score of 88.74 and strong rental demand (71.60) and regulation scores (71.03).
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 38% |
| Feb | 47% |
| Mar | 50% |
| Apr | 54% |
| May | 52% |
| Jun | 61% |
| Jul | 68% |
| Aug | 60% |
| Sep | 53% |
| Oct | 52% |
| Nov | 51% |
| Dec | 46% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Cayucos are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in San Luis Obispo market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the San Luis Obispo market as a whole, which includes Cayucos, so these counts are not Cayucos-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seven Sisters Vacation Rentals | 141 | 8,870 | ★ 4.80 |
| 2 | Paso Robles Vacation Rentals | 132 | 16,273 | ★ 4.88 |
| 3 | Beach Bum Holiday Rentals | 114 | 4,011 | ★ 4.68 |
| 4 | Scenic Coast Property Management | 88 | 5,409 | ★ 4.78 |
| 5 | Coastal Vacation Rentals & Property Management | 86 | 4,839 | ★ 4.68 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Cayucos?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Cayucos are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 40.6% |
| vrbo | 7.7% |
| both | 51.7% |
Home Value Trends (Cayucos)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Cayucos are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Insights
Booking-window and length-of-stay analysis for Cayucos — how far ahead guests book and how to price around it — is available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Cayucos falls under San Luis Obispo County’s Coastal Zone Land Use Ordinance (Section 23.08.165). Three permits or certificates are required before operating: (1) a Coastal Zone Vacation Rental Zoning Clearance from the SLO County Planning and Building Department, which verifies the property meets the 50-radial-foot minimum separation from other licensed vacation rentals; (2) a County Business License (approximately $50 per year); and (3) a Transient Occupancy Tax Certificate.
There is no owner-occupancy or primary residence requirement. Non-owner-occupied whole-home rentals are permitted if the zoning standards are met. There is no countywide cap on the number of vacation rental permits in unincorporated areas. Properties that cannot meet the 50-foot separation standard may apply for a Minor Use Permit to request an exception.
The total transient occupancy tax rate in Cayucos is 12.5%, comprised of a 9% base TOT, a 1.5% Tourism Marketing District assessment, and a 2% County Tourism Business Improvement District assessment. Enforcement severity is rated moderate. SLO County uses an online monitoring service to identify unpermitted vacation rental listings.
Market Comparison
Cayucos’s April 2026 occupancy of 53.4% is roughly in line with the U.S. STR median of approximately 55%, but its $355 ADR is well above the national median of around $220. This ADR premium reflects the coastal location, limited supply (just 29 homes listed for sale), and strong per-capita demand in a small town of 2,498 residents.
The composite market score of 74.81 ranks Cayucos as a strong-performing market nationally, with the revenue growth sub-score of 88.74 being a particular standout. However, the investability score of 57.16 is held down by high home values relative to achievable yield.
Among top operators, Seven Sisters Vacation Rentals leads with 141 listings and 8,870 reviews at a 4.80 average rating. Paso Robles Vacation Rentals holds second at 132 listings and 16,273 reviews at 4.88. Beach Bum Holiday Rentals operates 114 listings (4.68 rating), Scenic Coast Property Management manages 88 listings (4.78 rating), and Coastal Vacation Rentals and Property Management rounds out the top five at 86 listings (4.68 rating). The top 5 operators together account for 561 listings, approximately 12.6% of the total market, indicating a more professionally managed market than average.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cayucos, California
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