Avila Beach Central Coast Day Trip Things To Do

Avila Beach is a quaint little town on the Central Coast of California. The city is a popular destination for locals to spend a relaxing day on the beach. Ocean water temperatures are warmer here due to its location on San Luis Bay but still quite cold even in the summer.

In the early 1980s, a vast oil spill was discovered underneath Avila, and much of the downtown area was dug up to remove the oil-soaked soil. Many of the town’s original buildings were destroyed and replaced by more modern structures.

The new Avila beach has rebounded and becomes a favorite central coast destination for locals and tourists, along with its wide sandy beach, a fishing pier, a small shopping district, and numerous oceanfront dining and lodging options.

During the summer, visitors can ride a motorized trolley or stroll through the streets when they do not soak up rays on the beach or splash with the kids in the lagoon.

What once was a sleepy, hidden, central coast beach town has become a modern resort. Some old-timers may miss the old gold days, but central coast travelers will appreciate all the new shops and restaurants built.

Things to do in Avila Beach

The Marine Institute is a favorite destination. Offering exhibits with touch tanks with indigenous marine life like seals, otters, sharks, and small creatures. The institute’s ship offers short cruises around the bay, listening to the history and enjoying local wine.

The Avila Beach Fish & Farmers Market occurs on Fridays (4 pm-8 pm) from April through September. The beachfront market offers plenty of fresh fish, locally grown produce, great food, and live music and dancing.

Avila Beach visitors can explore art galleries and wine-tasting rooms, all within walking distance of the downtown shopping district.

Avila Valley Barn creates a warm and inviting atmosphere where you can take a hayride and pick your apples, varieties of pears, apricots, nectarines, plums, and cherries. It is a favorite pumpkin patch for school field trips.

Patriot Sports Fishing offers one-day, multiple-day trips and spectacular whale-watching tours. They know where to find the best catch of rock cod, lingcod, halibut, salmon, and albacore.

You can join a whale-watching trip from December through April and see gray whales, humpback whales, killer whales, dolphins, sea otters, sea lions, pelicans, and many seagulls.

Port San Luis Harbor

Avila has a beautiful one that is open for tours and hosts special evening events for those who love lighthouses. The Point San Luis Lighthouse is just a few minutes outside Avila and is a destination you don’t want to miss.

The Port San Luis Harbor District is an area that is bustling with activity. You can drive your vehicle out on the pier to enjoy a restaurant, shop for some live fish, or watch the sea lions as they beg for fisherman’s scraps. People travel here to fish, eat, and socialize for hours.

Avila Beach Nearby Attractions

Nearby attractions include Pismo State Beach offers all kinds of attractions: hiking, swimming, surf fishing, and the annual winter migration of millions of monarch butterflies. The tree-lined beach is also popular with bird watchers.

Camping is popular along the central coast, and there are several nearby campgrounds to Avila Beach, including Port San Luis RV Camping.

Ocean Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area has 1,500 acres, featuring beach and dune riding. Thousands of off-highway vehicle enthusiasts enjoy the beach dunes of this SVRA most weekends during the summer.

Montana De Oro State Park features over 8,000 rugged cliffs, secluded sandy beaches, coastal plains, streams, canyons, and hills. Naturalists and backpackers enjoy the solitude and freedom found along the park trails. Pismo Beach 13 miles.

Morro Bay State Park features a lagoon and natural bay habitat. The bay’s most prominent landmark is Morro Rock. The park has sailing, fishing, hiking, and bird-watching opportunities. Pismo Beach 16 miles.

At Sycamore Springs Resort, guests can rent a hillside hot tub by the hour or stay overnight at the resort and enjoy their private balcony with a mineral water hot tub.

Avila Apple Trail See Canyon. The apple season runs between September and December, when the fruit is sweet, crisp, and perfect.

Where is Avila Beach

Avila Beach, California: Avila Beach is between Pismo Beach and San Luis Obispo in Central Coast California. Exit Hwy.101 west onto San Luis Bay Drive or Avila Beach Drive. Follow the signs to Avila Beach.

Avila Beach is the perfect place to explore the California central coast. There are several excellent hotels in town and more in nearby Pismo Beach.

Central Coast Day Trips

Pismo Beach California