Harford Pier and seals, Avila Beach
It's lovely to drive along Avila Beach Drive, all the way to the harbor parking lot at the end. Hundreds of pelicans bob in the blue-green water, and dive bomb for food. Straight ahead the land juts out into the sea, with a cute monolith and island at the end. Behind, hills stretch up to the sky. If it's rainy you can sit in your car and watch the busy working harbor and the waves crashing against the pier.
The drive or walk along Harford Pier is amazing, with the harbor, sailboats, seals, and Avila Beach Pier in the distance on one side, and incredible green water like the south of France, plus bobbing rowboats, on the other side. Look at the beautiful kelp wrapped around the pier pilings and watch the seals make trouble, barking like crazy for dominance.
Have lunch at counter-service Mersea's (open daily 11-8) with close views of the seals lazing out on the floating dock in the water, and views of sea otters from the other side. The fresh fish sandwich on sourdough is delicious, and the outside seating is fantastic! Bring a puffer jacket for the very harsh wind. There is a small amount of noisy inside seating for cold days, with big windows to look out. Just below the seating, two seals often laze under the pier on the horizontal beams, sleepy eyed. It's fun to watch them try to get up onto the horizontal beam.
On the east end of the harbor parking lot is a snack shop called The Hook, with basic supplies. Drive east on Avila Beach Drive and you will come to a beach that you will have all to yourself, Fisherman's Beach. Further along is Olde Port Beach, where dogs run off leash. Between the two beaches is a rock formation, with waves crashing all around. It's nice to stand along the road and admire the view from above.
If you want to see the picturesque Point San Luis Lighthouse, you must reserve a docent-led tour (Wednesdays at noon or 1pm, and on Saturdays at 11am or noon) which takes you on a bus to the lighthouse. The bus ride is half the fun, and you can also explore a secluded beach, Point San Luis Lighthouse Beach while you're there. The tour costs $25 and takes two hours, including the time spent riding the bus. It is a very fun outing and worth the cost!
While at Avila Beach town, check out Pirate's Cove, where top-of-the-world views will fill you with joy! For kids, go to the Avila Beach Playground and Central Coast Aquarium adjacent to it.
The drive to the end of Avila Beach Drive, above Olde Port Beach.
The amazing color of the water at Harford Pier.
Wonderful views from Mersea's outdoor seating.
Mersea's has a prime spot.
Seals lazing by a pelican.
Seal looking around!
Lazy seals.
Seals snoozing.
Pelicans in the water and one flying by.
The water is tranquil and beautiful.
Kelp around a pier pilon.
You can sit inside with views of the water if it's too cold outside.
Kayakers checking out the seals up close.
The seals hang out on this wooden float, just off the pier.
Seals growling.
Water like an impressionist painting and a red buoy.
Rowboat off Mersea's.
I love the water at Harford Pier!
Multi-colored stools at Mersea's.
Fishing boats and mountains.
The walkway on Harford Pier.
Harford Pier is in a scenic spot.
The color of the water at Harford Pier is amazing!
Pelicans checking out the fish below.
Seal on a dock.
Sailboats.
Seals on a dock.
Walkway on the pier.
The green color of the sea here is beautiful.
The dock where the seals hang out.
Seals in a rowboat.
Seals in a rowboat and beautiful water.
Seals sleeping under the pier.
Sleepy seal under the pier!
Seals in a rowboat off the pier.
Mersea's has a fine location!
Pelicans and seals galore in the water!
Pelicans and two seals checking out the fish.
The water really is this color! It doesn't look like the California coast.
The end of Harford Pier is spacious.
In 1873, John Harford built a pier at San Luis Obispo Bay and later connected the pier with a narrow gauge railroad.
Seals and pelicans galore on a March day at Harford Pier!
Pelicans and seals hanging out together!
The wooden pier, which is a working pier.
I adore the color of the water at Harford Pier! The hills are green in March.
You can sit and watch the pretty water from your car on a cold day.
Inside Mersea's, you can see the sea!
Pelican in a rowboat. This rowboat gets a lot of abuse!
Baby seagull stuffie with a fry! At Port San Luis Boatyard (repair shop), a bit of a musty spot.
Sitting outside on an October day at Mersea's.
The rocky coastline north of the pier.
The Hook or Port San Luis Boatyard, which has some supplies, toys, and snacks, but is a bit musty.
Sparkling water and the coastline north of Harford Pier, almost like Kauai!
Waves crashing up against the rock wall at the parking lot.
The color of the water on a sunny day at Harford Pier.
Kelp on a pier pilon, and sparkles in the water.
Sea otters bobbing about on the right side of the pier.
A sea otter and buoy, on an October day.
Waves crashing over the harbor wall.
Looking toward Whalers Island, from the very end of Harford Pier.
The end of Harford Pier.
Fishing boats in both sun and fog.
A very beautiful seal, sleeping on a raised platform under Mersea's.
Dreamy colors of the horizon, as people on a boat check out the seals.
Fisherman's Beach and Olde Port Beach are located on Avila Beach Dr near Babe Lane, San Luis Obispo CA 93405.
Harford Pier is located at 3950 Avila Beach Dr, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405. There is parking at the end of the pier. Pay $3 at the machines, knowing your license plate number, and display the receipt on your dashboard. You can also park at the base of the pier and walk 300m to the end.
Exit Highway 101 at Avila Beach Drive, and follow it to the end.
Last Updated: Sun, 01 Feb 2026 00:18:02 GMT
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