Page 29 - SLO Visitor's Guide - Winter 2023

Avila Beach
Take a drive away from the beaten paths of Hwy. 101 and Hwy. 1 and discover the quiet paradise of Avila Beach. The oceanside community offers something for every interest and all ages from quiet romantic weekends to beaches, hiking trails, kid and pet friendly parks, shopping, great food, golfing and hot springs. Choose from the many hotels and enjoy family meals or a sunset dinner at an oceanfront restaurant. This delightful small town rests at the edge of San Luis Obispo Bay.
The San Luis Obispo Creek empties into the bay at Avila Beach providing views of native wildlife along with the region's unique marine life. The nearby Avila Beach Bird Sanctuary
is great for bird watching any time
of year and especially during bird migrations.
Attractions
Piers in Avila Beach
Avila Beach boasts three piers, two historic piers and a private pier that houses the California Polytechnic State University’s Center for Marine Sciences. The Harford Pier, built in 1873, was used for shipping before the railroad arrived. The pier also has a romantic history as
a liquor smuggling hotspot during the 1920s. Today, the pier is occupied by commercial fishing and restaurants and is open to pier-fishing.
Avila Beach Pier was built in 1908 and was important for fishing and ocean- bound passenger transportation. It has been partially closed to foot traffic since 2015 due to storm damage.
For information about the piers, call (805) 595-5400.
Fishing
Personal boats and kayaks can be launched from Olde Port Beach, a public hoist at Harford Pier and two additional hoists are made accessible to the public by the Port San Luis Harbor District. To arrange use of either the trailer boat launch for boats up to 28’ feet, or the mobile hoist for larger boats call the harbor district at
(805) 595-7895.
Hiking
The Bob Jones Trail starts at the trailhead on Ontario Road and wanders along the San Luis Obispo Creek. The paved trail, about three miles from trailhead to downtown Avila Beach, is
a mostly smooth hike or bike ride with benches along the way.
Hotels & Lodging
Seven Sisters Vacation Rentals
Offers beautiful and unique luxury vacation homes along the Central Coast. Their coastal and wine country homes are known for idyllic settings, designer furnishings, and exceptional amenities. Their guest service team consistently receives 5-Star reviews for offering an ultimate vacation rental experience. 7svr.com (805) 900-6000.
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