California’s Highway 1 Road Trip is famous for spectacular sights like Hearst Castle, the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery, and the mile-long Moonstone Beach Boardwalk in Cambria. It is also home to lesser-known, but equally worthy, attractions like Avila Beach.
Avila Beach hugs the sea near San Louis Obispo. The native Chumash people referred to this region as Tsipxatu. Legend holds that the Chumash, also called Avila Beach, “Hole in the Sky.” Although the story is often repeated, there is scant evidence to support this claim. Still, it’s easy to see why the rumor persists. Avila Beach enjoys some of the best weather on the California Central Coast. It is a place where the clouds part regularly and the fog lifts to let the sun shine through. Locals refer to the effect as “the Avila Bubble.”
What is Avila Beach known for?
This is a photo taken at Avila Beach, California.
(Mimi Ditchie Photography via Getty Images)
In addition to gorgeous weather, Avila Beach is known for its waterfront location. There are four main beaches. Avila Beach, sometimes referred to as Downtown Beach, is a half-mile-long stretch of sand with volleyball courts, a basketball court, picnic tables, barbecues, a playground, and rentals for kayaks and water equipment. Avila Beach is home to the mile-long Avila Beach Pier, which recently opened to the halfway point after being closed for repairs caused by storm damage.
Olde Port Beach has fewer amenities, but it’s usually less crowded. It’s a popular spot for seasonal bonfires and letting dogs run off-leash. Fisherman’s Beach is a small stretch of sand with limited amenities. It’s an ideal spot for surf fishing or a quiet picnic.
The last is Pirate Cove Beach, a secret, clothing-optional beach concealed at the end of a long dirt trail. It’s an astonishingly beautiful spot with rugged rock formations, tide pools, and sea caves. It’s also an excellent place for spotting whales, especially from December to April.
What are the best things to do in Avila Beach?
Touring the vineyards with Sidecar Tours
(Tamara Gane)
Avila Beach is ideally situated to explore the excellent wineries of the California Central Coast. Although the region is best known for Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah, you’ll find over 60 grape varieties grown here. Must-visit wineries include Talley Vineyards, a family-owned winery with a regular calendar of events including live music, vineyard dinners, and vineyard yoga. If you plan to visit multiple wineries, turn heads in a guided excursion in a tandem motorcycle sidecar with Sidecar Tours.
Visitors have been soaking in the natural thermal mineral waters at Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort and Spa since the late 1800s. Located a few minutes from Avila Beach, the resort features a spa and restaurant in a garden-like setting. Each guest room and suite boasts a private balcony or patio with a hot tub. Hillside hot tub rentals are also offered by the hour.
Bike rider on bike path
(Stephanie Hager – HagerPhoto via Getty Images)
Outdoor activities in Avila Beach include kayaking in the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, which spans 4,543 square miles of coastal waters along 116 miles of pristine shoreline. On any given day, you might spot sea otters, blue whales, seals, or leatherback turtles.
Land-based activities include walking or biking the Bob Jones Trail. The scenic path is paved, well-maintained, and mostly flat, which makes it an excellent option for people of all ability levels. The Bob Jones Trail starts right off Highway 101 at the parking lot on Ontario Road and ends in downtown Avila Beach. It’s 3 miles from the trailhead to the end of Avila Pier.
What are the best restaurants in Avila Beach?
An oyster shucking demonstration at Shuck Shack
(Tamara Gane)
Downtown Avila Beach is brimming with charming shops and restaurants, including Shuck Shack, which offers a curated menu featuring fresh oysters, breads, caviar, charcuterie platters, and tinned fish, all served with local wine from Sinor-Lavallee.
No trip to Avila Beach would be complete without a trip to Avila Valley Barn in nearby San Loius Obispo. The family-owned farmstand features fresh produce, baked goods, ice cream, and mouthwatering barbecue from the onsite Chicken Shack & Smoke House. You’ll also find farm animals and a rotating calendar of seasonal events like you-pick fruit and berry picking, live music, and wagon rides.
Where to stay in Avila Beach
Avila Beach, California, USA – February 2, 2023 Avila Lighthouse Suites, all-suite beachfront hotel nestled in the charming beach town of Avila Beach, California.
(Nature, food, landscape, travel via Getty Images)
Lodging options in Avila Beach include Avila Lighthouse Suites. The all-suite hotel offers complimentary breakfast and a heated ocean front pool and hot tub, steps away from the beach.
How long does it take to drive the whole Highway 1?
The California Sea Lion is a coastal eared seal native to western North America. It is one of six species of sea lions. Its natural habitat ranges from southeast Alaska to central Mexico, including the Gulf of California. California sea lions are sexually dimorphic; males are larger than females and have a thicker neck and a protruding sagittal crest. They mainly haul out on sandy or rocky beaches, but they also frequent manmade environments such as marinas and wharves. California sea lions feed on a number of species of fish and squid and are preyed on by orcas and great white sharks.
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It would take about 40 hours to drive the whole Highway 1 without stopping. If you drove three to five hours a day to allow yourself time to see the sights, the trip would take eight to thirteen days. For this reason, most people break down a Highway 1 road trip into segments to suit their schedule and budget.
Where should you start a Highway 1 road trip?
The stretch of Highway 1, starting at Ragged Point and extending to Edna Valley and Arroyo Grande Valley, is ideal for a three- to five-day road trip. Highlights include Hearst Castle, wildlife like elephant seals in San Simeon, some of California’s best wineries, and beach towns like Cambria, Cayucos, and Avila Beach.