Pismo, Los Osos, Morro, or Cayucos? Advice? (Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach: best town, renting)

[LittleBlackShihTzu]

Which beach town is best overall for raising a child (9-year-old) and overall climate and community? I'm an early 40s lady and I'm investigating my options for a nice beach life. I don't mind fog as long as there is more sun than fog overall! I like SLO, but the beaches seem cheaper..in terms of rent, that is. I will be renting at first, so I'm not even concerned with purchasing right now.

Anyone know the area well enough to advise me? I'm leaving Oregon because of the rain and dark...so I don't want to get myself back in that boat again. Please tell me if this part of the coast is dreary!

Thanks!

[mmouwse]

Every beach town in our county has a microclimate and community characteristics. Avila Beach, just south west of SLO, is the sunniest and warmest, least foggy as it sits in a little harbor protected from the main flows of weather and currents. It is more isolated from the rest of the county with one road in and out. I am not certain of the current population, but it is small with really no room to develop out. It draws tourists to restaurants and shops along Front St. in the summer, right on the sand, and to the Port, an active fishing community. The entrance to Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant is also located in the area of the Port, but is 7 miles north, up the coast from the entrance.
Cayucos is located on the north coast and is second to Avila for least amount of fog. It is a bit more spread out with more restaurants, shops, businesses, etc. It has been voted one of the best small towns to live in by various magazines and publications through the years. Many ranchers live just inland of town growing fruit, livestock, etc.
Morro Bay is a funky town, larger than Avila and Cayucos, with a large, active fishing industry and true harbor. It is an ecclectic mix of fisherman, retired (Jack LaLanne lives here) and young, establishment and surfers and hippie holdovers and sailors. Lots of restaurants, businesses; very well known to tourists for "the Rock" and the State Park. It has a museum right on the bay, lots of bird rookeries and lots of outdoor activities. It has a movie theater downtown (neither Avila nor Cayucos have one). It has its own city services (pd, fd, mayor, city council, etc.).
Los Osos and Baywood Park are on the "back bay" around the Bay from Morro Bay.They are a little warmer, but just as foggy.
Shell Beach is just south of Avila along the cliffs, followed by Pismo Beach, on down Hwy1 to Grover Beach, Arroyo Grande, and Oceano. These are all in the "5-cities" area. Pismo, Grover Beach, and Arroyo Grande have their own city services and governmental structures; Shell Beach is actually consdered part of Pismo.
As for where it is best to raise a child...well...if you are talking about crime, there is very little anywhere in the county. As far as character of the area and exact standings of the schools....I don't think we have any bad schools here either. Mostly, it depends upon your individual philosphy, characteristics, personalitiy, beliefs, and weather preferences. You just have to find the community characteristics you prefer and live there.
I hope I have helped.

[stellar9]

Like mmouwse said, every beach community is a little different but all are good. What kind of beach do you want? If you want the lay out on the sand and play in the surf kind of beach, then Pismo, Avila and Cayucos are your kind of beach. Los Osos and Morro Bay are more of the look at nature and the estuaries kind of beaches.

Cayucos is near Morro Bay and Morro Bay is next to Los Osos. All the towns are good for raising kids. Pismo is right next to several other cities, so it is more crowded and also has more shopping and other community opportunities for you and your child. Los Osos is less touristy, so its quieter, but only 10 minutes from SLO and all that city has to offer. You really can't go wrong with any of them.

[mmouwse]

It just occurred to me....
If you want the BEST town in the county for raising kids... you may want to consider SANTA MARGARITA. No, it is not a beach town, it is just over the Cuesta Grade, just 8 miles (8 minutes) from downtown SLO. It is a very small community, I think population is up to ...ummm...1200 people in town. It is VERY safe, quiet, friendly, 1 elementary school. Every one knows everyone and looks out for each other and the kids. No smog...no crime...stars every night...kids can take the free bus to the lake (Santa Margarita Lake) in the summer time for free fishing and adult supervision. Local coffe shop showcases local musicians and artists and events. Summertime community potlucks in the park (Monday nights) and movie night (Friday night).
15-20 minutes to the beach from here.
Templeton, further north, is also a great, safe small town...
Cayucos Beach and Avila Beach and Shell Beach, also great safe, small communities with a real sense of community. Stellar9's post sums it up well.
But if it is beach living you crave, then find the beach town with the personality that matches your own, settle in and expect to be happy!

[stellar9]

Originally Posted by mmouwse

[color="Blue"][font="Tahoma"]It just occurred to me....
If you want the BEST town in the county for raising kids... you may want to consider SANTA MARGARITA.

We rented a place in Santa Margarita for a year and a half. Wonderful, wonderful place. Our backyard was against a ranch; wild turkeys hung out around the block. Although a couple of roaming dogs killed our cat. The library was only a block away. My teens took the bus to SLO easily. We've rented homes all over the county and although SLO is our favorite city, Santa Margarita was our favorite community to live in.

[LittleBlackShihTzu]

I really appreciate the thorough responses! I'm excited about the possibilities of these areas.

Thank you, again!!!

[ferretkona]

Yes, as all have mentioned each town has their own charms.
My parents live in Morro Bay, great town.
But this thread is about you and your child. I suggest spending a few days in each town and try to soak in some atmosphere. Give your son/daughter a voice in the matter. I mean really, who would you rather trust? your child or one of us in a forum???

[mmouwse]

Originally Posted by LittleBlackShihTzu

I really appreciate the thorough responses! I'm excited about the possibilities of these areas.

Thank you, again!!!

You are most welcome!

[Sorcerer68]

I like Shell Beach for it's sunnier weather, nice neighborhoods and close proximity to SLO. There's an invisible fog line that starts on the north side of Pismo and then just north of Avila. Between these two invisible lines lie a lot more sun.

[RHLpressurewashing]

This part of the coast is perfect, but Los Osos is probably similar to the area you currently live in. Los Osos is typically clouded in the summer do to the heat in the San Jauqin Valley. It tends to pull in the "Marine layer" from the ocean. North county is much warmer than the rest of the county during the summer months. During El Nino we tend to see a lot more rain than usual but this year has been pretty dry.