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! Have lunch at the Custom House Restaurant, which has decent food (avoid the fish tacos, or fish and chips, and choose the BLT sandwich instead) and great atmosphere on its sunny patio (bring a jacket- the sea air is cold). Historically, Avila Beach was a steamship harbor and new arrivals would come to this building. Now it's a restaurant with a charming outdoor patio looking out on the blue sea. 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. Blue Moon Over Avila is a French cafe with ocean views and gorgeous lighting at night. You can have a glass of wine, beer, cup of tea, and meals. On Tues 6-8:30 they have live French and folk music, on Wed 6-8 live New Orleans Jazz Quintet, and on Thurs 6-7 live piano. I have been to the music on Tues and Wed, and both were wonderful! 
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 ice cream and boba tea with plenty of colorful seating by 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 in summer on Fridays 6-8pm, there is live music (public welcome) at Avila Bay Athletic Club, around the firepit, with beer, wine, and food for purchase. 
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 low tide 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 (avoid the fish tacos), 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, 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 70s classic rock, so the quality varies. 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.
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.

Directions

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.

Click on map for interactive view