Avila Beach from above looking towards Port San Luis
Avila Beach is basically a naturally formed open water swim arena. The semi-protected bay ensures good swimming conditions most days, but still lets in enough “open” ocean to make things exciting. The beach itself is approximately half a mile long with a 500m tourist pier set in the middle. The beach is south facing and typically doesn’t see much in the way of big waves unless there is a storm pushing water in just the right direction. The beach slopes out gently into the sea and has a sandy bottom.
Avila Beach at low tide looking towards Fossil Point
Getting Here
Avila Beach is set between Pismo Beach and San Luis Obispo, right in the middle of California’s Central Coast. There are plenty of ways to get here via car, plane or even train! If you’re coming by car, Avila Beach is just minutes off the 101 Freeway and Hwy 1. Driving from the south you will exit the freeway at exit 195 for Avila Beach. Follow the road to the left as it forks and drive about 2.5 miles down Avila Beach Drive. Turn left onto San Miguel Drive and that will take you to the beach.
If you’re coming from the north use exit 196 for San Luis Bay Drive and turn right. Once San Luis Bay Drive dead ends into Avila Beach drive turn right and follow that down to San Miguel street and turn left to find the beach. If you have GPS in your car set it for 404 Front Street, Avila Beach, CA that will get you to the base of the pier.
If you’re flying into California you have quite a few options. If you prefer to fly in and out through a major city We are located 185 miles North of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), 200 miles south of San Jose International Airport (SJC), and 230 miles South of San Francisco International Airport (SFO). We do however have a few small regional airports that are much closer to the beach. The San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP) is only about 15 minutes away, the Santa Maria Public Airport (SMX) is approximately 40 minutes away and the Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) is about 90 minutes down the road.
Avila Beach is also a short ways from either the Grover Beach or San Luis Obispo Amtrak Stations. The Pacific Surfliner follows a route from San Diego all the Way to San Luis Obispo.
