Avila Beach and town
NOTE: Do not let your kids play where the San Luis Obispo Creek comes out into the ocean. The San Luis Obispo sewer plant's effluent is released into this creek.
A day spent at Avila Beach is a real treat! There are so many gorgeous views in all directions! The drive to Avila Beach along Avila Beach Drive is lovely, with its hills that lead to the sea. Then you arrive at Avila Beach and you can't believe what a gem you've found! Parking at the top of high cliffs, you walk down steep Front Street, enjoying sweeping views of the beach and its long pier. At the main section of Front Street, a pedestrian-only street, it's so perfect and pristine a main strip that you wonder if you're in Disneyland! The food choices in Avila aren't great. Custom House Restaurant is a counter-service cafe with fresh vegetables but pre-cooked meats. Historically, Avila Beach was a steamship harbor and new arrivals would come to this building. Now it's a cafe with a pleasant patio looking out on the blue sea (bring a jacket- the sea air is cold). Most Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 2pm (sometimes 4pm), and Sundays at 4pm you can hear the live music next door at Mr. Rick's for four hours, and it's fantastic.
For a quicker snack, sit by the window and have an acai bowl at the Avila Market- the receipt has the restroom code on it. Hula Hut has good ice cream, cookies, or hot tea with plenty of colorful seating by big oceanview windows and outdoor seating as well.
On Fridays at 4-8pm in summer there's a farmer's market with live music, on the promenade. It can get crowded with limited parking ($8 fee), so come early or catch the trolley.
On Wednesdays 5:30-7:30pm and Fridays 6-8pm in summer, there is live music (public welcome) at Avila Bay Athletic Club, around the firepit, with beer, wine, and food for purchase. They also have events like Halloween Bash.
Alapay Cellars has live music some Sundays 4-6pm. Teens are welcome if accompanied by an adult.
Next, there's the beach to explore! In the middle is the long pier (which is closed for repair). Underneath you can stand in its shade and watch the waves. Avila Beach in general is warmer than other beaches in the area because the two headlands shelter it. On cold days, if you sit against the wall, there is no cold wind off the ocean hitting your face and ears- it's wonderful!
Another shady spot is under the bridge by where the creek meets the ocean. It's beautiful to stand here and watch little waves collide. The creek is a lovely shade of jade green, though it is polluted, as it comes partially from the San Luis Obispo sewer plant.
The east side of the beach is my favorite part. Here you can walk among geological wonders. At the lowest tide, right on low tide to the exact hour, you can go even further east. Look up at the yellow cliffs and then continue around the bend to the blinding white cliffs, with white boulders on the sand. I like to sit here, where there are far less people, and have a little cove to myself.
On San Juan Street, at the far west end of Front Street, there's a pirate playground with wooden bridge, dolphin sculptures to climb, ship with pirate holding a telescope, sand pit, play structure, bouncy horses, little boulders, and swings. What a nice atmosphere! On the west side of the beach, there are also twelve swings for kids in the sand!
You can see jellies, giant octopus, horseshoe crabs, starfish, sting rays, baby sharks and interesting exhibits at the Central Coast Aquarium near the playground, open 12-3 Thurs-Sun.
While in the area, check out the stunning views and enjoy a hike at Pirate's Cove.
Don't miss out on a blissful experience eating at Mersea's (the fish tacos aren't good), a counter service cafe with outdoor seating at the end of Harford Pier. The views from Harford Pier are incredible on both sides! It's also nice to park your car so you can stay in the shade and watch the pelicans and sailboats bobbing in the water at Fisherman's Beach and Olde Port Beach (an off leash dog beach), which are on the way to Harford Pier on Avila Beach Drive.
After a day by the salty sea, you need a sweet treat- buy a treat at Avila Valley Barn and check out the petting zoo animals like goats and alpaca.
A lovely three mile shady walk to do is the Bob Jones Trail, which runs from the west end of the beach through woods along the creek. On some summer Thursdays and Sundays 3-6pm, you can hear live music (see schedule here) in the woods at Secret Garden, which is part of Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort. You access it via a beautiful green metal pedestrian bridge, off the Bob Jones Trail.
If you're visiting on Wednesday or Saturday, reserve at tour at Point San Luis Lighthouse, The hair-raising bus ride up has incredible views, and the lighthouse is in an amazing spot high on the cliffs. There is a sheltered, secluded beach you can walk down to too.
Across the creek, there is loud live music at Avila Beach Golf Resort, also called Mulligan's Bar and Grill, Thurs-Sat 5-7pm, and Sun 2-4pm! It's hard to find the live music schedule on their website- click on Mulligan's Bar and Grill across the top of the page, and then choose Live Music from the dropdown menu. The music is mostly 60s classic rock, attracting an older crowd. The adirondack chairs are under shade canopies, but set back so that you can't see the water until you walk down the lawn more. It's nice to attend just to be able to walk to the edge of the lawn and see Avila from across the creek. The drive to the parking lot is also gorgeous, with tall trees and amazing views of Avila.
If it's September to November, pick some delightful dahlias, cosmos, and sunflowers at SLO Creek U-Pick, which is close to Avila. It is an organic farm in a pretty setting, open Thurs-Mon.
Mr. Rick's on Front Street, by the boardwalk!
Bike riding along Front Street.
Laying out by the pier.
View to the west from under the pier!
Front Street, and the rolling hills behind.
Yellow cliff face and boulder, the east side of the beach.
Yellow, white, and green: my favorite side of the beach, the east side.
I LOVE these white cliffs!
BBQ by the playground.
Basketball court with a view- by the playground.
Avila Beach is so colorful!
First Street.
I like these orange and blue apartments by the playground.
Custom House Restaurant has a sunny patio across from the water.
Little swimmers west of the pier. The water is COLD year round.
Relaxing and enjoying the good food at Custom House Restaurant.
You can walk above the beach or lay in the warm sand to defrost from the cold air.
Colorful tile design on the promenade.
Beautiful cliffs frame the beach and its bright blue sea.
Front Street is filled with cheerful buildings.
Custom House Restaurant on the colorful promenade by the water.
Kraken Coffee on a street corner (San Luis St and Front St).
A couple enjoys a meal outside at Custom House Restaurant.
Yellow spring wildflowers along the road that leads into Avila Beach.
Flowers by the sea.
Starfish sculpture on the wall.
Swings in the sand!
Bird of Paradise flowers with aquarium in the background.
Mix of blue daisies and pink flowers.
Walking and checking out the shops.
Colorful Custom House Restaurant. It is now counter service which is handy, and the food is good!
Front Street is lovely.
Walkway over the sand.
Avila Beach is gorgeous!
Lifeguard shack at Avila Beach.
Young women having lunch at Custom House Restaurant.
Couple sitting at the pirate playground. Central Coast Aquarium and the wonderful hills and forest behind.
Ocean-themed shop exterior on Front Street.
Sunset at the west end of Avila Beach.
Playing on the beach at sunset.
Laying in the sand as the sun goes down.
Relaxing on the lawn by the playground.
The wide beach.
Nice day at the beach.
Sailboats off shore.
The playground in the sand.
Swings with a view!
Swimming on a September day.
Picnic in the sand.
The amazing color of the water at Harford Pier. It is a short drive or walk from the main strip.
Bike riding on the main street.
Sitting on a dolphin sculpture at the playground.
The drive into town is beautiful.
The perfect beach.
The sand is nice!
The pier is long. Currently it's being repaired.
View of the beach from the main street.
It's nice to sit in Avila Market and drink an iced tea or have an acai bowl from downstairs.
Silvery shoreline and fog rolling in at sunset.
Pretty evening at the pier.
I love the Spanish architecture of Avila La Fonda Hotel. I want to see it more often in SLO county!
Lanterns and Spanish tiles on Avila La Fonda Hotel.
Cypress trees and pretty houses on San Miguel Street.
Our Lady of Guadalupe on tiles outside La Fonda Hotel, and a string of flowers. So sweet!
PierFront wine bar with green umbrellas on Front Street.
The pier at sunset.
I love the views toward Port San Luis.
Firepit at Custom House.
Avila Beach is dreamy at sunset.
Walking by the pier at sunset.
Tables outside Hula Hut, the ice cream place, with a view of the water.
Stuffed animals in a gift shop along Front Street.
Blue water under the pier.
Cute headland.
Lifeguard shack with a view.
View of the water from the French cafe, Blue Moon Over Avila.
Surf shop on Front Street.
Colorful architecture on 1st Street.
View of Mulligan's from the bridge on Avila Beach Dr.
View of the creek, from the bridge on Avila Beach Dr.
Wonderful views from Hula Hut, where they sell ice cream, tea, cookies, and coffee.
Spanish fountain at Avila La Fonda.
Rock and kelp on the sand.
View of Mulligan's, from the far end of the beach.
View of Mulligan's and the creek, from under the bridge that is Avila Beach Drive.
Rock at the far end of the beach, creek, bridge, and yellow flowers.
Picnic tables and bbq in the sand.
Swings.
Kraken Coffee and its outdoor seating with a stripey umbrella.
Bastille Day live French music at Blue Moon Over Avila- amazing!
Kraken Coffee is in a pretty building. The fan inside is too loud though.
The colorful lifeguard stand.
Looking down on Avila Beach Pier.
Beach strewn with rocks and shells.
Surfers heading out.
College students playing a game at the shore.
Walking by the cliffs.
The strange rock formations by the cliffs.
Tide pools, and the headland in the distance.
Cliff framing the view of the pier and hills.
Live music on a Saturday at PierFront.
Shells galore on the beach.
California palms and pretty architecture on 1st Street.
A profusion of flowers outside Kraken Coffee.
The walkway above the beach.
A beautiful day at the beach, with purple flowers on the cliff in spring.
Upstairs in Kraken Coffee. You can see a peekaboo view of the ocean. Though the fan is very loud.
House with lime green door, near Kraken Coffee.
Kraken Coffee, on the corner.
View of the ocean as you walk down San Luis Street.
Ball game on the beach.
Blue Moon Over Avila, on Bastille Day 2025.
A waitress serves people at the barstool wall that faces the ocean, at Blue Moon Over Avila.
Custom House has more modern cuisine and decor now!
A seal on the shore, on a summer day.
The Avila Beach Golf Resort, across the creek.
Magical summer day at Avila Beach.
Shells on the sand by the creek.
Live music at Blue Moon Over Avila.
Blue Moon Over Avila has wonderful lights at night.
Moon over Avila Beach.
Avila Beach town is wonderful at night!
Stand of trees at the top of the town, and the blue sailing club at the base of the pier.
The far north end of the beach has a lot of atmosphere.
Even in summer, it's cold once the sun goes down.
First Street is attractive.
Outrigger canoe paddlers.
End of a summer day.
Evening time at Avila Beach town, with international flags strung across an alley.
Reflection of the golden cliffs on the shore, in the evening at Avila Beach.
Cool rock by the cliffs.
Round chalk boulder.
Mulligan's, at Avila Beach Golf Resort.
Live music under the shade canopies at Avila Beach Golf Resort.
View of the creek and the beach beyond, from Avila Beach Golf Resort.
People swimming where the creek meets the beach- not a clean spot. As seen from Avila Beach Golf Resort.
Train of young bodyboarders in the creek, as seen from Avila Beach Golf Resort.
The top of Inn at Avila Beach has chairs where you can watch the ocean. It is not a restaurant.
View of the beach from the top of Inn at Avila Beach. You are allowed to walk up to this balcony, which is not a restaurant.
Sunset and fog, at Avila Beach on an August evening.
Blissful evening at Blue Moon Over Avila.
Sitting at the bar that faces that ocean at Blue Moon Over Avila, with colored lightbulbs.
Sitting at the corner of the bar that faces the ocean at Blue Moon Over Avila on an August evening.
Highway remnant on the beach.
Palm trees in the town.
Colorful mosaic tiles at a lookout over the beach.
Beignets and drinks. Everything looks pretty under the lights at Blue Moon Over Avila.
Blue Moon Over Avila is very pretty at night.
Warm September night at Blue Moon Over Avila.
Watching the ocean from Blue Moon Over Avila.
Moon behind Hula Hut.
Banana trees and view of the ocean on a high-up street.
Table outside Kraken Coffee. This is the best seating at Kraken, since the fan is too loud inside.
Cute house on 1st Street.
I love this view toward the ocean, from the top of San Luis Street.
Slide in the sand, at end of day.
Sunlit seats outside Hula Hut.
Looking down San Miguel Street toward the mountains.
Parent and child playing in the sand.
Birds flock around the pier.
The boardwalk along the beach.
Perfect spot to sit, in Hula Hut.
Looking down 1st Street.
Bougainvillea and the sea.
Banana trees and townhomes below.
Banana trees, bougainvillea, and California palm.
At low tide you can walk past the yellow cliffs to another stretch of beach.
Rocks and mineral deposits on the shore, at the beach that is past the yellow cliffs at low tide.
The pretty trees behind the town.
The pier with its swirly lampposts.
Pier lamppost and palm.
Looking down San Luis Street toward a sparkling ocean.
The mosaic tile at the lookout over the beach.
People enjoying the sunshine outside Hula Hut on a December day.
The pedestrian-only street in front of the beach.
The yacht club and blue water.
A beautiful scene.
A shell!
A collection of shells.
The town of Avila looks so pretty, going uphill from the beach.
Kids play on the shore.
Students walk the shore, past the yellow cliffs.
Students gather on the beach during spring break.
Purple flowers and the beach on a beautiful April day.
April day at the beach.
The creek looks pretty and clear, though the water is polluted.
The creek winds around the north end of the beach, which is nice for a walk on the hard-packed sand.
Blue heron in the creek.
The creek as it goes past Mulligan's.
The blue creek and blue sky with little clouds. This is the far north end of the beach! Pretty hills add to the scene.
Yellow flowers on the hills behind the Central Coast Aquarium.
From Highway 101, follow the signs to Avila Beach Drive. Once you're on Avila Beach Drive, you will pass a sign that says "Avila Beach- next 3 intersections." Turn left after that, on San Luis Street. Turn left on 1st Street. Continue until you find a parking space along the road. It's a walk down to the beach but it's better than paying for parking down by the beach on First Street.
You can also park for free on San Juan Street by the playground, but these spaces are often taken. There is plenty of free parking along Avila Beach Road by the golf course right before you get to San Juan Street.
There are showers and restrooms at the beach.
Central Coast Aquarium, 50 San Juan St, Avila Beach CA 93424, call (805) 595-7280. Open Thurs-Sun 12-3. Cost is $9 for adults, $7 for children aged 3-12, $6 for seniors, and free for kids aged 2 and under.
Custom House Restaurant, 404 Front Street, Avila Beach CA 93424, call (805) 595-7555.
Avila Beach Market, 354 Front Street, Avila Beach CA 93424, call (805) 595-2500.
Mr. Rick's (live music Sundays 1pm), 404 Front St, Avila Beach, CA 93424.
Teri
Tue, 13 Jul 2010
Breath taking....
Marge
Sun, 20 Sep 2009
I grew up in Avila Beach, lived there most of my life. From our house we used to take long steep walks down to the beach. I remember almost always having the entire beach to ourselves. Great beach!
Judy L.
Sun, 05 Jan 2025
Avila Beach is a world away!
Jasmin
Sat, 20 Apr 2019
An amazing amount of things to see and do. Playground for the kids, aquarium, shops, beach play, cafes, coffee.
Ariel
Fri, 23 Oct 2009
THANK YOU SSOOOOOOOOO much!!!! I'm so excited...
Heidi
Fri, 06 Nov 2009
The pirate ship playground is a fave.
Last Updated: Sat, 18 Oct 2025 17:35:40 GMT
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