Discover
Avila BeacH
Not every paradise is half a world away. A short jaunt down the California coast through golden, oak dotted hills and idyllic vineyard-filled valleys reveals Avila Beach, the quaint coastal town that offers a different kind of getaway. As the gateway between wine country and the sunny microclimate of the Central Coast, Avila Beach is small but packed with activities and beauty, enough to warrant a longer stay at one of its amenity-laden hotels or unique rentals. Enjoy the rejuvenating scent of fresh sea air as you hike the trails and dine in charming oceanfront restaurants. Kayaking, wine-tasting, relaxing in hot springs, exploring tide pools: pick your perfect paradise and make a lasting memory without having to travel far from home.
With so much to see, do, eat, drink, and enjoy, staying in Avila Beach is a great way to ensure you don’t miss a thing. Plus, due to its convenient location less than a half-day drive from the Bay Area, Avila Beach allows for you to travel easily and get to vacationing quickly. Start planning your perfect paradise today.
Beach
activities
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Avila Beach’s pleasant microclimate allows for almost year-round enjoyment of its pristine beaches. Tucked in a crescent-moon cove and surrounded by rolling hills, the sandy expanses are ideal for a stroll, either along the promenade or on the white sand itself. Each beach has its own vibe. Olde Porch Beach is dog-friendly; Fisherman’s Cove is quieter, a perfect picnic destination; and Pirate’s Cove, also known as Mallagh Landing, is secluded and clothing-optional.
The harbor bustling with sailboats, or the two historic piers reaching out into the vibrant blue of San Luis Bay – each moment on the beach is a potential photo opportunity. Keep an eye out, you just may see a dolphin or sea otter. Or look down and find sand dollars and seashells at your feet.
There’s plenty of marine life to see from your kayak or SUP board, from seabirds, seals, sea lions, otters, and whales, plus the gorgeous coastline. Local tip: bring your own kayak or easily rent one and head to the secret cove that accesses the historic Point San Luis Lighthouse.
For fishing aficionados, Avila Beach is at the top of pro anglers’ list of best fishing spots on the California coast, with consistent catches and beautiful views. Whether you charter a boat, navigate the rocks, or fish no-license-required right from the pier, you’re guaranteed to have a
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Beach activities
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Wine & dine
The Avila Beach Promenade is both romantic and family-friendly, offering delicious locally sourced cuisine with unbeatable views of San Luis Bay. After sipping their way through the many regional wine tasting rooms in downtown Avila, couples can enjoy a multi-course, candlelit dinner. Families can share slices of pizza and sno cones while the sun sets. Fresh seafood abounds, as do unique eateries, wine bars, delis, and boutiques. There’s something for everyone. Local tip: On Fridays April through September, the Avila Beach Promenade transforms into an incredible farmers market. Mere steps from the sand, visitors can enjoy live entertainment from local performers, plus farm-fresh produce and artisanal products from local vendors.
Wine and dine in downtown Avila Beach
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Hike & bike
With stunning views of the rugged coastline and paths ranging in difficulty from casual to challenging, Avila Beach is a trekker’s paradise. For beginners, Shell Beach Bluff is the ticket. For more experienced hikers, try the Ontario Ridge Trail. Both offer great views of the ocean and surrounding landscape. But the ultimate excursion is a hike along the Pecho Coast Trail to the Point San Luis Lighthouse, which is only accessible via hike, trolley, or ocean cove. Still in operation today, this prairie Victorian-style lighthouse is included on the national registry of Historical Places and offers breathtaking costal views.
Biking is another popular activity in Avila Beach, with both sea and countryside options. Renting a beach cruiser to bike the promenade is a fun leisure activity. Those looking for something to get the blood pumping should consider road biking to wine country. Traversing 1,286 feet of elevation over slow rolling wine country hills, this 28-mile loop connects the Pacific coast in Avila Beach to the vineyard-covered hills of Edna Valley wine country.
Looking for a biking adventure the whole family can enjoy? The Bob Jones Bike Trail is the perfect spot. At five miles, this beloved biking, walking, and jogging trail offers an easy and level ride beneath a canopy of sycamore leaves.
Hike to the lighthouse, bike along the sea
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Rejuvenating hot springs
In the 19th Century, oil prospectors discovered what indigenous populations had known for centuries: the landscape around Avila Beach is peppered with naturally occurring hot springs. Prized for their supposedly healing properties, the hot springs of Avila Beach provide relaxation and rejuvenation to locals and visitors alike. There are two main locales to enjoy these de-stressing, curative hot springs, Sycamore Mineral Springs and Avila Hot Springs, both close by.
Avila Hot Springs features a thermal soaking pool, naturally heated by the artesian well beneath to around 104 degrees for optimal relaxation, and a 5,000-square-foot swimming pool, complete with waterslides, heated to 85 degrees for maximum fun. There’s also poolside service, a restaurant, and an arcade. Local tip: for couples, a soak-and-message package is the best way to enjoy all that the Avila Hot Springs has to offer.
Sycamore Mineral Springs is a place to escape all the challenges of daily life. Secluded by sycamore groves, this retreat of famous hot tubs, luxurious spa treatments and yoga classes is a haven of restoration. Amidst the quiet of the forest, Sycamore Mineral Springs’ 23 tubs provide couples and smaller groups luxury and privacy in a serene environment.
Rejuvenating hot springs
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Avila
Valley Barn
The Avila Valley Barn has humble beginnings. Once a roadside fruit stand, the farm is now Avila Beach’s premier destination for old-fashioned family fun, with a petting zoo, orchards, U-pick berries, hayrides, a gift store, a sweet shop, and a bakery, attracting thousands of visitors each year. Pick your own apples and peaches directly from the tree or berries and pumpkins straight from the vine when they’re in season. Pet a pony or a goat. Feed a llama or an emu. Take in the pastoral views of Avila Valley from a Tractor Ride. Finish your day with a SLO-made ice cream cone or a slice of fresh-baked apple pie. You’ll leave the Barn full and happy.
Visit the Avila Valley Barn
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Marine life
Avila Beach is home to an impressive foray of species, from cute sea otters to barking seals to a variety of coastal birds. Some animals take planning to see, others you can’t help but run into.
Tide pools are magical and easily accessible, but please don’t disturb the wildlife while you appreciate the beauty. Instead, observe the colorful anemones, crabs, sea stars, and geological formations from a polite distance. Local tip: taking a kayak out a low tide allows safe access to some of the most incredible tide pools you’ll ever see.
For a more curated experience, the Central Coast Aquarium has over 75 marine species with charm to spare. There’s plenty to see: in-house exhibits like the jellyfish and octopus tank, the shark swell encounter, as well as scheduled feedings so you can get up close and personal with wondrous marine creatures.
Offshore sea life, like otters, seals, dolphins, and whales can often be spotted from a perch at the end of the historic Harford Pier. Certain whale species travel through Avila Beach throughout the year, and sometimes even make an extended pit stop in San Luis Bay, wowing visitors and locals. Local tip: Avila Beach is a premier bird-watching destination, with hundreds of migrating and native birds to enjoy year-round. There’s nothing quite like watching sea birds dive into the bait balls off the pier.
Explore the marine life
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Avila Beach’s pleasant microclimate allows for almost year-round enjoyment of its pristine beaches. Tucked in a crescent-moon cove and surrounded by rolling hills, the sandy expanses are ideal for a stroll, either along the promenade or on the white sand itself. Each beach has its own vibe. Olde Porch Beach is dog-friendly; Fisherman’s Cove is quieter, a perfect picnic destination; and Pirate’s Cove, also known as Mallagh Landing, is secluded and clothing-optional.
The harbor bustling with sailboats, or the two historic piers reaching out into the vibrant blue of San Luis Bay – each moment on the beach is a potential photo opportunity. Keep an eye out, you just may see a dolphin or sea otter. Or look down and find sand dollars and seashells at your feet.
There’s plenty of marine life to see from your kayak or SUP board, from seabirds, seals, sea lions, otters, and whales, plus the gorgeous coastline. Local tip: bring your own kayak or easily rent one and head to the secret cove that accesses the historic Point San Luis Lighthouse.
For fishing aficionados, Avila Beach is at the top of pro anglers’ list of best fishing spots on the California coast, with consistent catches and beautiful views. Whether you charter a boat, navigate the rocks, or fish no-license-required right from the pier, you’re guaranteed to have a fun experience. For surfers and body-boarders, Avila Beach’s gentle waves are still exhilarating enough for beginners. Thanks to its protected position on the coastline, Avila Beach is widely considered one of the safest beaches in California, making it an ideal spot to let your kids enjoy the waves worry-free.
Beach Activities
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Gentle waves, white sand, calm waters, and plenty of sun provide the perfect setting for beach-centric activities year-round
Beach
The historic lighthouse overlooking San Luis Bay features fun hikes and stunning views.
Lighthouse
Perfect for a creek-side ride amongst the sycamores or an all-day excursion to wine country.
Bike trail
Naturally heated
soaking pools. World-
class spa treatments.
Restoration awaits.
Hot springs
Adventure, wildlife, and breathtaking views await your discovery along the coastline of Avila Beach.
Hiking trails
From candle-lit dinners
to cozy wine bars to
the freshest seafood available, the dining strip is the place to be when the sun goes down.
Dining strip
San Luis Obispo Bay
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fun experience. For surfers and body-boarders, Avila Beach’s gentle waves are still exhilarating enough for beginners. Thanks to its protected position on the coastline, Avila Beach is widely considered one of the safest beaches in California, making it an ideal spot to let your kids enjoy the waves worry-free.
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