Cayucos Antique Street Faire set for May 7

The Cayucos Chamber of Commerce will host its twice-yearly Antique Street Faire 7am-3pm on Sunday May 7, 2023, in downtown Cayucos.

“We haven’t seen dealer spaces sell out this fast in quite a while” says Jennifer Barrett, Antique Faire event manager. She adds, “We are expecting a large turnout, the event is free to the public, and we will even feature a local D.J. spinning vinyl.”

A fun, family-friendly event for antique and vintage enthusiasts, the faire will host more than 75 dealer booths with food vendors and music. Shoppers will find antiques, collectibles, furniture, art, décor, apparel, and more for sale from independent retailers.

Vehicle traffic along N. Ocean Ave will be closed from Cayucos Drive to E Street along N. Ocean Ave and parts of D Street plus Oceanfront Ln, with detours posted between the hours of 4 a.m. and 6 p.m.

The event is free to visitors with free parking throughout downtown. Many businesses and services in downtown will remain open for standard Sunday hours. Visitors can enjoy the street faire, hang out at the beach, and support the town’s unique shops, restaurants, and activity centers. Proceeds from vendors booth fees help support Cayucos Chamber programs and services.

The Fall 2023 event is scheduled to be held on October 15th. Applications will be available in May.

Details regarding the event are available at www.cayucoschamber.com/antique-faire.

Founded in 1949, the Cayucos Chamber of Commerce is the cornerstone of its unique Cayucos business community. The Chamber supports and promotes local businesses, educates, and informs visitors of local opportunities, encourages residents in community involvement, and provides a voice for the community to local leadership and agencies in San Luis Obispo County, California.

Cayucos by-the-Sea is located on California’s scenic Central Coast, halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco and welcomes visitors from around the world. The town sits quietly between the Pacific Ocean and the rolling hillsides of open ranchland and is what some call "the last of the California beach towns." Cayucos is a California original.

Rare parasite threatens Central Coast sea otters

State researchers are studying a rare strain of parasite that was discovered in San Simeon and Cayucos.

From the Los Angeles Times: 

"The first otter washed ashore in San Simeon in San Luis Obispo County in February 2020, according to the study. The adult female otter was still alive but thin and unresponsive. The other three otters washed ashore already dead from February through March 2022 in Cayucos in San Luis Obispo County and in Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz County, researchers said."

Scientists warn that the same strain could pose a threat to humans. The unusual strain had not previously been detected in California. 

Researchers from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and University of California, Davis, conducted a study on the deaths of the four sea otters, which occurred between 2020 and 2022. 

The study revealed high numbers of the parasite throughout the otters' bodies except for their brains, and researchers are concerned that the strain could contaminate the marine ecosystem and pose a public health risk. 

Cayucos man arrested for holding woman captive

A Cayucos man was arrested in Fresno County after a woman he was traveling with flagged down a motorist and said she was in danger. 

Domestic Violence detectives with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office arrested 52-year-old Jonathan Riester.

His bail is set at $35,000.

Jonathan Riester

On December 18th, a woman flagged down a motorist for help along Hwy. 168 near Shaver Lake. The woman explained to the driver she was in danger and wished to be taken to a safe location. The citizen drove into the town of Shaver Lake and dropped her off at a business. An employee there noticed she had injuries and contacted the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office.

A deputy responded and contacted the woman. She explained that she was staying in a travel trailer with a man, later identified as Jonathan Riester. Fearing for her life, she escaped the trailer and sought help from anyone who may be driving along the highway. The deputy was unable to gather specific details about how she suffered her injuries, so he made arrangements to have her taken to the hospital for medical treatment. Arrangements were later made for her to receive services due to being a victim of domestic violence.

Detectives took over the investigation and were eventually able to interview the woman. They learned she had been in a verbal and physical abusive relationship for several years, which became progressively worse. 

She had sought out victim services in the past, but would ultimately continue her relationship with Riester. During their time together, they primarily lived in a travel trailer and would move to different locations. Riester controlled every aspect of her life, held her captive and continuously beat her.

Trail connecting Morro Bay and Cayucos gets grant funding

The California Transportation Commission approved a $7.4 million grant that will fund construction of a multi-use trail segment connecting Morro Bay and Cayucos along the west side of Highway 1.

The new 1.25-mile pathway will result in a more than 10-mile bike route, four miles already existing in Cayucos and more than five miles in Morro Bay.

“I’m beyond excited to see funding coming for their long-awaited project. The connector will provide a unique opportunity for residents and visitors alike to enjoy our incomparable coastline," said District 2 Supervisor Bruce Gibson. "This project has it all – a chance to enjoy nature with healthy outdoor exercise, an alternative to driving a busy highway and a world class coastal access that will boost our visitor-serving economy."

This new segment will be part of the California Coastal Trail and will have close-up ocean views. It will create a safe pedestrian and bicycle connection between these communities where today, the path requires walking and riding on Highway 1 next to high-speed traffic.

Improvements to adjacent bike routes (parking, signs, striping) are included in this project. See attached site map.

Public attends Cayucos Veteran's Hall kickoff rehab event

After sitting empty for six years, work will begin on the historic Cayucos Veteran's Hall building.

The Cayucos Veteran’s Hall rehabilitation project is about to begin, and the public was invited to the kickoff event on Friday.

The Vet’s Hall, formerly the Cass Warehouse, is located at the base of the Cayucos Pier, a popular tourist destination. The warehouse was constructed by Capt. James Cass in 1875 and, in recent years, the facility had been an important community and event center, though it was deemed structurally unsound in 2016 and has sat empty ever since.

Cayucos bridge maintenance to begin this month

Bridge maintenance is expected to begin on two Cayucos bridges. 

Work on Villa Creek Road Bridge between Cayucos and Cambria is expected to begin this month. Later, work will be done on Ocean Avenue Bridge in north Cayucos in November/December. 

For the safety of the public and the workers, traffic will be subject to road closures, detours, or reduced to one-way controls with flaggers as required for each phase of the work. Motorists should expect delays of up to 10 minutes and are advised to adjust their travel plans accordingly. Please see maps for project locations.

This work is required to maintain safe bridge conditions and to avoid costly repairs in the future. This project is funded by the Federal Highway Bridge Program and SLO County’s Road Maintenance Fund. Whitaker Construction of Paso Robles has been awarded a contract of $327,755.50 to perform this work.

Cayucos Veterans Hall restoration can begin

After sitting empty for six years, rehabilitation can begin at the historic Cayucos Veterans Hall.

In a 5-0 vote, San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved accepting funding from multiple sources to be used to rehabilitate the Cayucos Veterans Memorial Hall.

With the critical vote, supervisors accepted an additional $4.8 million in grants and donations and approved moving forward with the Cayucos Veterans Hall Rehabilitation project. This funding, together with the previously accepted $2.2 million in grants, allows the county to begin rehabilitation of the project by utilizing a total of $7 million dollars in grants and donations. The project is expected to take 14-18 months to complete with total cost expected to be just over $11 million.

Texas family buys 964-acre Cayucos ranch for $5.9 million

According to California Outdoors Properties, a historic ranch on rolling hills overlooking the ocean near Cayucos has sold. 

A family from Houston, Texas, paid $5.9 million for the 964-acre San Geronimo Ocean View Ranch near Cayucos, off Highway 1, according to a report by the Sacramento Bee.

The property was listed a year ago for $6.25 million. 

According to a representative, the family hopes to build a new house, grow orchids, and use the property for vacation and business. 

The Mainos' ranch dates to 1915. The property's conservation easement limits development and preserves it rural. The protections allow building a new home if it's not on the bluffs or the highway. 

California Outdoor Properties says the property has a historic, "functioning" home, barns, and outbuildings. 

The land has been a ranch for generations. According to California Outdoors Properties, the ranch had 100 milking cows. Recent use included beef cattle. The previous owner leased the ranch to graze 200-300 steers. Water on the property comes from a well and many creeks, notably San Geronimo Creek. 

Continued traffic delays near Cayucos for bridge repair

Expect delays this week along northbound Highway 1 as Caltrans continues work on a project to tear down and replace the Old Creek Bridge near Cayucos with a traffic switch.

A protective barrier for highway workers will be put up, which means that the northbound/southbound number 1 (left) lane will no longer be closed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

On Tuesday, June 14, Caltrans will switch the traffic so that people going north on Highway 1 will use the lanes that are currently used by people going south. A center median will separate the two directions of traffic. This measure to stop traffic will make it possible to tear down the bridge on Highway 1 northbound.

Water rescue in Cayucos

WATER RESCUE: North of Cayucos Pier at “Abolones”. One person stuck on an old shipwreck at high tide unable to swim. Rescue swimmers have made contact, attempting to bring the patient to shore. #Cayucos #CountyOfSlo pic.twitter.com/GvrcDukgO0

— CAL FIRE SLO (@CALFIRE_SLO) May 17, 2022

SLO County Fire to Inspect Vegetation Growth on Cayucos Properties

Properties in Cayucos will be inspected by San Luis Obispo County Fire personnel to ensure that they are in compliance with the county's requirements for overgrown vegetation and combustibles on residential properties.

The inspections are being done ahead of fire season because of the lack of rain, which has created "dry and hazardous circumstances."

By May 31, all yards must comply with the rules.

The following are some of the guidelines that the department will be looking for:
Mow, disc, or scrape empty lots to a height of 3 inches or less.

Before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m., use pruning, mowing, and power equipment. They should not be used in the heat of the day or on days that are exceptionally dry and windy.

A spark arrestor is required on any gas-powered machinery.

Dead leaves, weeds, and brush should all be removed. Trees should be maintained and fallen trees and limbs should be removed six feet from the ground. Roofs, eaves, and rain gutters should be free of needles and leaves.

Clear the premises of any rubbish, wood, or other combustibles.

Irrigated, well-kept landscaping is permitted.

All hazardous weeds must be cut or eliminated within the property borders of small parcels with less than 75 feet of road frontage or less than 10,000 square feet of land.
Clearing the entire lot is not required for large parcels with more than 75 feet of road frontage or more than 10,000 square feet. They must clear a 100-foot-wide firebreak along the perimeter of the property, including any property that fronts a road.

How Were March Home Sales?

Homes with 4+ bedrooms in Morro Bay saw strong sales in March, compared to Cambria and Los Osos. 

While Morro Bay home sales outpaced other North Coast communities with 14 total closes, Cambria was a close second with 11 closes.

 

South Coast communities saw similar strong sales with Arroyo Grande leading the pack at 30 closes for the month.

Cayucos Antique Street Faire Returns May 1st

After a two-year COVID hiatus, The Cayucos Chamber of Commerce will hold it’s Spring Cayucos Antique Street Faire on May 1st from 7 am to 3 pm rain or shine.

 

The Cayucos Chamber hosts the faire twice yearly in the Spring and Fall for visitors to shop for antiques, collectibles, and vintage items.  The event is free to the public.

 

“We are so thankful to be able to resume hosting one of our favorite community events,” said Lori Stone, Cayucos Chamber President. “Antique and vintage enthusiasts can shop from amazing vendors while spending a day at the beach and supporting our local businesses and services.".

 

Event status updates will be shared at www.cayucoschamber.com. Any questions can be directed to cayucoschamber@gmail.com.