Cayucos, California Short-Term Rental Market
San Luis Obispo County STR market averaged $381 ADR, 51.0% occupancy and $5,263 monthly revenue in September 2026.
Quick Answer: Cayucos, California is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the San Luis Obispo market area is 51%. average monthly revenue in the San Luis Obispo market area is $5,263. average daily rate in the San Luis Obispo market area is $381. 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 an unincorporated coastal community of about 2,498 residents on California’s Central Coast. Its short-term rental performance is reported as part of the San Luis Obispo County STR market, a shared dataset that also covers Morro Bay, Paso Robles and Oceano, so every performance figure below describes that county-level market rather than Cayucos alone. In September 2026, the San Luis Obispo County STR market posted an average daily rate of $381, occupancy of 51.0% and average monthly revenue of $5,263. Compared with September 2025, occupancy rose 9.3%, ADR rose 5.7% and revenue rose 12.8%, so growth came from both more booked nights and higher prices. Entire-place rentals averaged $396 per night, slightly above the all-listings figure, and houses earned $5,671 per month against $4,242 for apartments. Bedroom, channel and listing-type counts and top operator names are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Cayucos, so this profile omits it. Seasonally, the market runs from 37.5% occupancy in January to 68.4% in July, and the seasonal revenue figures sum to $52,178 per year. Annual averages show a market that peaked in 2021 at 64.9% occupancy and $5,309 monthly revenue, cooled through 2023 and 2024, and has recovered since. Year to date 2026 shows 53.2% occupancy, a $371 ADR and $5,422 monthly revenue across nine months of data. The visitor draw is specific. Cayucos markets itself as the last of the California beach towns, with five miles of uncrowded sand, a historic fishing pier, a dog-friendly state beach and an antique district along Ocean Avenue. San Luis Obispo County recorded 7.7 million visitors and $2.37 billion in direct travel spend in 2025, though Cayucos-specific visitor counts are not published separately.
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 is unincorporated, so short-term rental rules come from San Luis Obispo County rather than a city. Short-term rentals are permitted, and a permit is required. Operators need a Coastal Zone Vacation Rental Zoning Clearance from the County Planning and Building Department, a County Business License (about $50 per year, renewed annually) and a Transient Occupancy Tax Certificate. The total occupancy tax is 12.5%, made up of the 9% county TOT, a 1.5% Tourism Marketing District assessment and a 2% Tourism Business Improvement District assessment. Zoning is governed by Coastal Zone Land Use Ordinance Section 23.08.165, which requires a minimum 50-radial-foot separation between licensed vacation rentals. Properties that cannot meet the setback may apply for a Minor Use Permit to seek an exception. As of 2018, Cayucos had 285 licensed vacation rentals, the highest per-capita density in the county. There is no countywide cap on vacation rental permits in unincorporated areas. There is no owner-occupancy or primary-residence requirement, so non-owner-occupied whole-home rentals are allowed when zoning standards are met. Enforcement severity is rated moderate. The county contracted Host Compliance in 2018 to find unlicensed listings and identified 611 unpermitted listings countywide in the first year. Noise and parking complaints are the most common issues. No new cap or owner-occupancy mandate had been enacted in Cayucos as of May 2026. Confirm current requirements with the county before buying.
Market Comparison
In September 2026 the San Luis Obispo County STR market posted occupancy of 51.0%, an ADR of $381 and average monthly revenue of $5,263, with luxury listings averaging $702. The seasonal annual total is $52,178, and occupancy ranges from 37.5% in January to 68.4% in July. Growth is also stronger than a flat market would suggest, with revenue up 12.8% and occupancy up 9.3% year over year. Coastal location, a short drive to Morro Bay and Paso Robles, and limited new supply under the 50-radial-foot separation rule help support the premium rates. Investors comparing this market with inland or high-volume markets should weigh higher entry cost, with a typical home value of $1,371,691, against nightly rates averaging $381.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cayucos, California
What is the average Airbnb rate in Cayucos, California?
What is the occupancy rate for short-term rentals in Cayucos?
How much do Cayucos vacation rentals earn per month?
When is the best time of year for Cayucos short-term rentals?
Do I need a permit to run a short-term rental in Cayucos?
Are there limits on short-term rentals in Cayucos?
How far ahead do guests book and how long do they stay?
Analyze Cayucos Rentals
Use our free calculator to estimate Airbnb revenue for any property in Cayucos.
Free Cayucos STR Calculator →
