Point San Luis Lighthouse, Avila Beach
It's very fun to take the tour to Point San Luis Lighthouse in Avila Beach! You park your car at the tour parking (see directions below) and then a bus takes you to the lighthouse. It is a narrow, winding, steep road with stunning views of Avila Beach through gorgeous trees. The drive to the lighthouse is the best part, because of the incredible, high views of the curved beach and boat-dotted harbor! The driver is very skilled, navigating the abrupt switchbacks. Once you reach the lighthouse, there are lovely views of the ocean and the scent of eucalyptus trees. There are clean restrooms at the roundabout where you arrive. Then a tour guide takes you to the foghorn room to begin the tour. The history of the lighthouse is interesting, and you get to sit in a lovely room over the ocean as you listen to it. In the room is the large foghorn equipment! The guide takes you to a smaller, musty room to see the fresnel lens, which is no longer in use. Outside, you get to see the small, LED lense that is now in use, replacing the fresnel lens, at the side of the foghorn building, plus a large radar that is being used by the Air Force. Next, you get to go inside the lighthouse keeper's house which is attached to the lighthouse itself. What a cute house! It is in Prairie Victorian style, with red roofs and blue-gray trim. The house has handy windows that extend to the ground, that you can raise to make an entire open door, to let a strong breeze in. Furnishings of the era adorn each room. You can climb to the top of the lighthouse steps- not many steps- but it's closed at the top so you can't go outside to stand on the round balcony atop the lighthouse. After the tour, you can relax on a wooden patio by a cypress tree, where you can enjoy views of the rock jetty and Whaler's Island, a rock the juts out of the sea in the middle of the jetty. It's also wonderful to walk down to the idyllic cove- take the path from the roundabout. It leads to a staircase which takes you down to Point San Luis Lighthouse Beach, a beach tucked against that cliffs that is warm and sheltered compared to other beaches in this area. Families kayak over here on weekends and enjoy this calm spot.
The lighthouse was built in 1889 and operated for 84 years. It is hidden from view, on the other side of a rugged promontary west of Avila Beach, past Harford Pier, and can't be seen from the town. In March or April, yellow flowers sometimes cover the cliffs beside the lighthouse.
See tour reservation details below.The tour takes two hours, including the time spent riding in the bus and wandering the grounds. The actual listening part of the tour is not too long, and you can leave the group at any time if you just want to enjoy the views alone.
There are summer live music concerts at the stage over the water on Saturdays at 2:30pm, every two weeks from the end of June to the beginning of October. You must buy tickets online, way ahead of time, like in April or May. Cost is $40 per person. It's wonderful to dance to the music while letting the sea delight you.
After, stroll along the beach or the boardwalk above Avila Beach, or have lunch at Custom House Restaurant or Blue Moon Over Avila (French food) enjoying the sunshine and colorful surroundings.
Kids love the imaginative Avila Beach Playground across the street from the beach, and Central Coast Aquarium next door, which is cozy and pleasant to visit.
On Wednesdays and Saturdays there is a 2 km steep guided hike up to the lighthouse provided by Pecho Coast Trail Guides. You meet at the Fisherman's Memorial in Port San Luis Harbor at 8:45am, and must reserve at least a day ahead at this website, since it is on Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant land.
View on the bus ride, high high above Avila Beach!
View of oak trees and water from the bus.
A docent speaks about John Harford and the pier.
Wooden beams.
The fog horn.
Views of the water, from the hall where the fog horn and fresnel lens are kept.
The lighthouse is beautiful.
Cypress trees and flag on the large property.
Views from the home.
Furniture inside the lighthouse.
Ladder at the top of the lighthouse.
The glistening sea.
Lighthouse from the side.
Flowers and rocks below.
Lighthouse plates.
The coastline north of the lighthouse.
Eucalyptus tree.
Looking up at a tall eucalyptus.
Birds divebombing.
The luminous water, and cypress tree.
Path in the shade.
Whalers Island in the sun.
Harford Pier- visit it after your tour!
Pretty plaque with information the long stretch of sea.
Birds on rocks jutting out of the sea.
Whalers Island, as seen from the bus.
Whalers Island and construction on the jetty.
The lighthouse from the side.
A docent explains the fresnel lens.
Old telephone from Hotel Marre, which was at the base of the pier at the end of the 19th century.
Walking to the lighthouse.
Stairs up to the top of the lighthouse.
Climbing up to the top.
View from the lighthouse.
Map book.
San Luis Lighthouse Beach, which you can walk down to.
Live at the Lighthouse Concert Series. What a spot for a concert!
Eating carnitas and grilled pineapple over Frito Lays! A yummy treat at the lighthouse summer concert.
Incredible concert location.
Live at the Lighthouse Concert: B and the Hive.
A couple grooves to the music, with views of the sea.
People dancing the afternoon away.
Walking around the lighthouse area during the concert.
Two women chat during one of the Live at the Lighthouse Concerts.
A peaceful spot to enjoy the concert music.
This looks so much like Australia!
Path and luminous water.
From the roundabout, you can take this path down to the San Luis Lighthouse Beach.
Views of the rocky coastline.
A pebbly beach that you can see below.
The bus for the tour leaves at the corner of Avila Beach Dr and Wild Cherry Canyon Rd, where there is a large chainlink fence that you can't miss! There are banners on the fence that say Point San Luis Lighthouse Tour Parking.
Tours cost $25, and you must reserve them online. Tours are offered on Wednesdays at noon or 1pm, and on Saturdays at 11am or noon. The tour takes two hours, including the time spent riding in the bus.
Last Updated: Wed, 14 Aug 2024 17:10:30 GMT
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