Estero Bluffs State Park(Estero Bluffs)

Located four miles north of the town of Cayucos, Estero Bluffs State Park is a large state park that has multiple unnamed beaches with light brown sand. The beaches in Estero Bluffs State Park are situated below steep oceanfront bluffs. The largest beach in the state park is present near its northern part where Villa Creek meets the ocean. Many of the beaches in Estero Bluffs State Park also have interesting rock formations. The beaches in Estero Bluffs State Park do not have lifeguards or any other amenities, so plan your trip accordingly. Getting to Estero Bluffs State Park is easy - there are multiple small free parking lots for the state park along Pacific Coast Highway/Cabrillo Highway. You can use the hiking trails present near these parking lots to reach the beaches in Estero Bluffs State Park. The northernmost parking lot of Estero Bluffs State Park is located near a hiking trail that leads to the largest beach in the state park. However, we recommend being careful while walking through these hiking trails as they are known to have poison oak and ticks. In addition, we recommend being careful when getting down to the beaches in Estero Bluffs State Park as the bluffsides surrounding the beaches can be steep and rocky. We also recommend visiting the beaches in the state park wearing appropriate footwear as they are known to have driftwood.    

The beaches in Estero Bluffs State Park offer many fun activities including sunbathing, wildlife watching, hiking, and tidepooling. Aquatic recreational activities including swimming and surfing are unsafe in the water near the beaches in Estero Bluffs State Park as it is known to have dangerous rip currents. In addition, the rocky shoreline around the beaches can inflict grave injuries. The water near the beaches is home to many animals including seals, sea lions, dolphins, and migrating grey whales (usually between December and March). If you like birdwatching, the shoreline around Estero Bluffs State Park is home to many shorebirds and seabirds. There is a beach near the southernmost part of the state park that has the remains of the Point Estero, a shipwrecked fishing vessel from 2017, which you can explore during low tide. The blufftop area above the beaches offers fantastic Instagram-worthy views of the Pacific Ocean, the central California shoreline, and the distant Morro Rock.

Estero Bluffs State Park has many hiking trails that you can use to explore the state park’s vibrant landscape and biodiversity. The state park has many habitats including saltwater and freshwater marshes, coastal scrub, sand dunes, and grasslands which are home to many interesting animal and plant species

There are many attractions near Estero Bluffs State Park. Whale Rock Reservoir is a 38,967-acre reservoir that was formed by the construction of an earthen dam on Old Creek. The reservoir and the area around it is a popular recreational area that offers many fun activities including hiking, fishing, and birdwatching. Hardie Park is a four-acre park that has many amenities including a covered picnic area, horseshoe courts, a children’s playground, and two tennis courts. The park also has a handicapped-accessible swimming pool with changing rooms and showers, and a pool for toddlers, which are open during summers. If you are looking for another attraction near Estero Bluffs State Park, the Cayucos Pier (also known as Cass’ Wharf) was constructed in the 19^th century by Captain James Cass, the founder of the town of Cayucos. This iconic Cayucos landmark has benches and offers marvelous views of the Cayucos shoreline, the distant Morro Rock, and the Pacific Ocean. In addition, this 950-feet long pier is a very popular fishing spot - you can catch a large variety of fish in the water near different sections of the pier including walleye, surfperch, rockfish, bonito, barracuda, and Boccaccio. In addition, fishing on the pier does not require a fishing license and the pier also has lights for night-fishing sessions. The end of the fishing pier is a great spot for catching sharks including soupfin sharks, horned sharks, and angel sharks during the night.

If you get hungry, there are many restaurants near Estero Bluffs State Park. The upscale Windows On The Water Restaurant & Bar has a dining area that offers beautiful views of the ocean. The restaurant also serves delicious gourmet dishes and hosts live musical performances on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday nights. In addition, the restaurant also serves amazing gourmet dishes and is famous for its steaks and seafood. Bill & Carol’s Sea Shanty offers delicious breakfast dishes, salads, burgers, sandwiches, and seafood. If you are looking for another good and affordable restaurant near Estero Bluffs State Park, the modestly priced Ruddell’s Smokehouse offers excellent smoked sandwiches, tacos, and salads. In addition, the restaurant is also famous for its smoked seafood.

If you are looking for a hotel near Estero Bluffs State Park, there are many great nearby options. The 4-Star Cayucos Sunset Inn Bed & Breakfast offers many amenities including complimentary breakfast, afternoon wine, and snacks, a DVD library, and spa services. A more affordable option is the 3-Star On The Beach Bed & Breakfast that offers many amenities including a communal deck with a hot tub, complimentary breakfast, and evening wine-and-cheese tasting sessions. If you are looking for another good and affordable hotel near Estero Bluffs State Park, the modestly priced 2-Star Cayucos Beach Inn offers many amenities including complimentary breakfast and a barbecue spot.