UNITED STATES
                    SECURITIES & EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                         WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


                                FORM 8-K


                             CURRENT REPORT


                Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of the
                     Securities Exchange Act of 1934

    Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 22, 2004


                         CENTRAL COAST BANCORP
         -----------------------------------------------------
         (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



STATE OF CALIFORNIA                    0-25418                77-0367061
-------------------                   ---------            ----------------
(State or other jurisdiction)       (Commission file       (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or organization)    number)                Identification No.)



301 Main Street, Salinas, California                            93901
--------------------------------------                         --------
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)                      (Zip Code)

Registrants telephone number including area code:    (831) 422-6642
                                                   --------------------

                             Not Applicable
     -------------------------------------------------------------
     (Former name or former address, if changed since last report).

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K is intended to simultaneously
satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following
provisions (see General Instruction A.2 below):

	[ ]  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act
             (17 CFR 230.425)

	[ ]  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act
             (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

	[ ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
             Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

	[ ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
             Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))


Page 1 of 9

The Exhibit Index is on Page 4



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Item 2.02.  RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITIONS.

On October 19, 2004 Central Coast Bancorp announced their quarterly
earnings for the third quarter of 2004.  A copy of the press release
is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 8-K and is incorporated
herein by reference.


Item 9.01. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

        (a)   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF BUSINESS ACQUIRED.

              Not Applicable.

        (b)   PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION.

              Not Applicable.

        (c)   EXHIBITS.

              (99.1)    Press Release dated October 19, 2004






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                               SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the Registrant  has duly  caused  this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.



                                        CENTRAL COAST BANCORP


Date:  October 22, 2004               By: /s/ ROBERT M. STANBERRY
                                        ----------------------------
                                        Robert M. Stanberry, CFO



                                       3



                            EXHIBIT INDEX

                                                                   Sequential
Exhibit No.               Description                               Page No.
-----------               -----------                               --------

99.1                      Press Release dated October 19, 2004            5



                                       4