Overview
Avila Beach is a town in San Luis Obispo County in the Central Coast region of California. Port San Luis is a working fishing port two miles west of downtown Avila Beach.
2 sights · 3 things to do · 3 places to eat · 4 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Avila Beach
The Point San Luis Lighthouse
The Point San Luis Lighthouse is the only surviving Prairie Victorian on the West Coast. It began operation in 1890 with a light that generated alternating red and white lights, visible for 17 nautical miles. Tours are o…
Avila Beach Pier
The main pier was built in 1908 and extends from the center of Avila Beach for 1,685 ft out into the ocean. It is used primarily for recreational fishing and strolling. There are three piers in Avila Beach.
Avila Beach
The beach that gives the town its name is approximately a half mile long. It is protected from northwesterly winds by Point San Luis, creating a warmer climate than neighboring beaches, with water temperatures reaching t…
Avila Hot Springs
Discovered in 1907, the mineral hot springs bubble up at between 130-140°F and are cooled to 104°F with the addition of fresh water. The hot spring pool is 20 ft by 20 ft and 2 ft deep. The property also …
Bob Jones City to Sea Bike Trail
This 3-mile (one-way) trail is a paved, mostly-flat path that follows the Pacific Coast Railroad right-of-way along the San Luis Obispo Creek. The trail begins near Highway 101 and ends at the beach/promenade in downtown…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jan–Dec. Summer highs reach about 72°F; winter lows dip to about 46°F. Wettest: Jan and Feb. (climate data from nearby Morro Bay)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- SBP San Luis County Regional Airport, San Luis Obispo — 6 mi away. Directions
- SMX Santa Maria Public Airport Captain G Allan Hancock Field, Santa Maria — 25 mi away. Directions
- FAT Fresno Yosemite International Airport, Fresno — 124 mi away (major hub). Directions
Avila Beach is about 10 miles (16 km) south of San Luis Obispo off Highway 101. You can get off the freeway at either San Luis Bay Drive or Avila Beach Drive.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $100–$150 a night (typical $150), from 3 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$140, mid-range ~$220, comfortable ~$320.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Avila Beach Pier, Avila Beach, Avila Hot Springs
- Lunch The Custom House Restaurant
- Afternoon Bob Jones City to Sea Bike Trail, The Point San Luis Lighthouse
- Dinner Avila Market
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
Avila Beach is about 10 miles (16 km) south of San Luis Obispo off Highway 101. You can get off the freeway at either San Luis Bay Drive or Avila Beach Drive.
Get around
The downtown portion is easily walkable. Driving can take you to some more far flung destinations, but travelling by bike is also a good way, with a bike path from 101 to the town.
See
See Avila Beach Pier
The main pier was built in 1908 and extends from the center of Avila Beach for 1,685 ft out into the ocean. It is used primarily for recreational fishing and strolling. There are three piers in Avila Beach.
See The Point San Luis Lighthouse
The Point San Luis Lighthouse is the only surviving Prairie Victorian on the West Coast. It began operation in 1890 with a light that generated alternating red and white lights, visible for 17 nautical miles. Tours are offered on Wednesday and Saturday and are docent-led. Tours last 1 hour and 45 minutes, including travel time on a trolley that departs from a staging area on Avila Beach Dr. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 24/7. Hiking tours are also offered on Wednesday and Saturday and last from 9AM-1PM, traversing a moderately strenuous path that is 3.75 miles one-way. Hiking is limited to 20 participants on Wednesdays and 40 on Saturdays, and reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance.
Do
Outdoor activities include swimming in the gorgeous but often frigid Pacific Ocean and basking in the sun. Golf and tennis are readily available at the Inn at Avila Beach.
Do Avila Beach (Main Beach)
The beach that gives the town its name is approximately a half mile long. It is protected from northwesterly winds by Point San Luis, creating a warmer climate than neighboring beaches, with water temperatures reaching the 70s (F) during the summer. Amenities at the beach include bathrooms, outside showers, six BBQ pits & picnic tables, a volleyball court, a basketball court, and a playground with swings & slide. Dogs are not permitted on the beach between 10AM and 5PM (during the day head down the coast to Fisherman's Beach where dogs are allowed).
Do Avila Hot Springs
Discovered in 1907, the mineral hot springs bubble up at between 130-140°F and are cooled to 104°F with the addition of fresh water. The hot spring pool is 20 ft by 20 ft and 2 ft deep. The property also offers a heated swimming pool (not mineral spring water), cabin rentals and camping, a game arcade, picnic facilities, laundromat, showers, and massage facility.
Do Bob Jones City to Sea Bike Trail
This 3-mile (one-way) trail is a paved, mostly-flat path that follows the Pacific Coast Railroad right-of-way along the San Luis Obispo Creek. The trail begins near Highway 101 and ends at the beach/promenade in downtown Avila Beach. Bike rentals are available at both ends of the trail from nearby businesses.
Buy
Eat
Eat Avila Market
Restaurant and bar, with groceries, wines, beach items and sundries in the basement
Drink
Sleep
Stay Avila La Fonda Inn
An upscale inn featuring spa suites, fireplaces in every room, complimentary gift baskets for all guests, and a daily wine reception. The building suffers from its location - there are no ocean views and the rear rooms offer an overlook of a large parking lot - but the staff makes every effort to cater to guests' needs and cover all of the little things that other hotels might miss.
Go next
- San Luis Obispo - 10 miles north of Avila Beach and almost exactly half way between Los Angeles and San Francisco, this small college town and its neighboring communities boast extraordinary resources for hiking, mountain biking, sea kayaking, swimming and surfing, outstanding natural beauty, a carefully preserved and thriving 19th-century downtown centered around a meticulously restored 18th century mission, a small but thriving art gallery scene, and a large and growing collection of top-quality wineries.
- Pismo Beach - Avila Beach's neighbor to the southeast is a tourism-focused coastal town that has more than 65 restaurants and 30 lodging options, and draws visitors with its beautiful coastline, annual clam festival, and the thousands of monarch butterflies that gather to spend the winter in a grove at the edge of town.
- Morro Bay
Nearby
Pismo Beach
City / town · 17 listings · 4 mi away
Grover Beach
City / town · 5 listings · 7 mi away
San Luis Obispo
City / town · 51 listings · 8 mi away
Oceano
City / town · 5 listings · 9 mi away
Arroyo Grande
City / town · 9 listings · 9 mi away
Los Osos
City / town · 8 listings · 11 mi away
Morro Bay
City / town · 24 listings · 15 mi away
Nipomo
City / town · 3 listings · 17 mi away
My experience
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