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 is 53%. average monthly revenue is $4,963. average daily rate is $355. the top operator is Seven Sisters Vacation Rentals with 141 listings. market score is 75/100 (grade B).
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions Apivex 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 | ADR | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 38% | $264 | $2,884 |
| Feb | 47% | $269 | $2,989 |
| Mar | 50% | $282 | $3,760 |
| Apr | 54% | $299 | $4,268 |
| May | 52% | $309 | $4,190 |
| Jun | 61% | $350 | $5,513 |
| Jul | 68% | $338 | $6,185 |
| Aug | 60% | $323 | $5,283 |
| Sep | 53% | $306 | $4,321 |
| Oct | 52% | $298 | $4,256 |
| Nov | 51% | $304 | $3,957 |
| Dec | 46% | $300 | $3,789 |
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Cayucos
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape.
| # | 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 pricing by property type, tier, and bedroom count.
Revenue by Bedroom Count
| 1 bed | 1,498 |
| 2 bed | 1,096 |
| 3 bed | 1,109 |
| 4 bed | 465 |
| 5 bed | 276 |
ADR by Property Tier
| Entire Home | $365 |
| Luxury | $645 |
| Professionally Managed | $460 |
Revenue by Dwelling Type
| Apartment | $4,047 |
| Entire Place | $5,128 |
| House | $5,306 |
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 40.6% |
| vrbo | 7.7% |
| both | 51.7% |
Investment Analysis
Cayucos is an investor-accessible market: San Luis Obispo County does not require owner-occupancy or primary residence for vacation rental permits. Non-owner-occupied whole-home rentals are permitted as long as the property meets the 50-foot separation requirement from other licensed vacation rentals.
The typical home value is $1,349,278 (April 2026 Zillow estimate), though the median list price was running at $1,770,667, reflecting a thin inventory of just 29 homes for sale. At the all-listings average revenue of $4,963 per month, annualized revenue is approximately $59,553. Against the typical home value, that implies a gross yield of approximately 4.4% before expenses and taxes. Houses specifically average $5,306 per month ($63,666 annualized), and entire-place listings average $5,128 per month ($61,537 annualized).
Luxury-tier properties command an ADR of $645, more than double the $355 overall average. Professionally managed listings average $460 per night. The revenue growth score of 88.74 reflects a market where per-listing revenue has expanded materially: from a 2017 annual average of $3,068 to $4,928 in 2025. The 2021 peak was $5,309, and 2026 data year-to-date (January through April) is trending below 2025 at $3,992 average, which operators should watch.
Revenue Trend (5 yr)
ADR & Occupancy Trends (5 yr)
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Booking Insights
In April 2026, Cayucos STR guests booked an average of 49 days in advance and stayed an average of 3.4 nights per reservation. The 49-day lead time is the longest of the five California markets analyzed here, suggesting guests plan Cayucos coastal trips roughly seven weeks out. This extended booking window gives operators a longer runway for dynamic pricing and minimum-stay optimization.
The 3.4-night average stay is shorter than some comparable coastal markets, which is consistent with weekend getaway patterns from the Bay Area and Central Valley. Shorter stays mean more frequent turnovers and higher cleaning costs per occupied night. Operators should set minimum-stay requirements carefully to balance occupancy against per-stay costs, particularly during peak summer weekends when 2-night minimums could be raised to 3 nights without material occupancy loss.
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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