Olde Port Dog Beach, Avila Beach

Olde Port Beach is a long stretch of beach west of the Cal Poly Pier in Avila Beach town. People bring their dogs to run off leash. It's a beautiful place with boats bobbing in the water, and pelicans dive bombing to catch fish. On rainy days, it's nice to park your car along the road high above the beach and watch the ocean. It's blissful on a sweltering hot day to park your car along Avila Beach Drive, with the windows open to the breeze, and watch the pelicans while in the shade of your car. You can also hear the seals going crazy at Harford Pier. 

On August and September weekends, it is so crowded that there is no space to park along the road, so come early.
After, have an ice cream or cup of white rose tea at Hula Hut in Avila Beach town, watching the ocean from their big windows.
Further west, walk along Harford Pier, enjoying the incredible views of jade green water and cliffs, and listening to the seals going crazy on the floating dock.
Across Avila Beach Drive is the parking lot for the bus trip to 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 hair-raising bus ride on the edge of the mountain 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!

Directions

Park your car along the road near 3979 Avila Beach Drive, Avila Beach CA.

Click on map for interactive view