The History of Avila La Fonda
Several years ago, we began thinking about what hotel would best fit our beloved Avila Beach. Could we set ourselves apart from other Avila Beach, CA hotels by constructing a new building with an early California/Mexico theme that still felt historically accurate? Could this new Avila Beach hotel truly create a sense of place rather than just another chain hotel that didn't fit the unique surroundings? Could we capture the true essence of what Avila Beach lodging should be?
Fortunately, our architect discovered a book written in 1928 by two young draftsmen who took several trips to small Mexican towns and studied old houses. Their drawings and photos are credited by later architects with adding authenticity to many Spanish Colonial buildings made in California in the 1920s and 1930s.
Several historic houses from the book are replicated in the hotel's San Miguel Street façade. The house closest to the ocean was a casa in Taxco, in the state of Guerrero. The second home was a 16th-century home on the Plaza Grande.
Diego Rivera, one of Mexico's greatest artists and the husband of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, said, "Color is God's great equalizer. A poor man can express himself with color, just as a rich man can." Even today, small Mexican towns are awash in a unique palette of colors. Each of the La Fonda houses features different stucco, roof tiles, railings, materials and colors to create a village.
The mission of a village always played a central part in the town's life. They were generally small, narrow two-story buildings used not only as a spiritual place, but also a place to rest after a long journey. Windows were 
placed high for safety, and designed to draw eyes to the heavens.
This feature is reflected throughout our Avila Beach, CA hotel's lobby, designed in the traditional Mission style and fondly referred to as Avila's Mission. As you enter La Fonda's massive doors, you immediately notice the soaring rock fireplace and the two-story tile mural of Avila's distinctive shoreline (just a block from the hotel). Five stained glass windows high on a wall depict Avila's hillsides and flood the lobby with warm, colorful light (stained glass came later from European settlers, adding spiritual beauty or wonder to their churches and missions). The ceiling has eight large Mexican tin star lights that produce hundreds of twinkling lights across the ceiling. The middle panel is a brilliant backlit stained glass skylight depicting an Avila sunset.
Located by the lobby elevator is a stained glass window of Rivera's painting, "Nude Callas." Mexican folk art, early Californian artifacts and paintings are found throughout the hotel, as well as over 25 stained glass windows, cones, lamps and art. The jewel tones throughout the hotel reflect the beauty and colors of Avila.
Many architectural details at our Avila Beach, California hotel also came from the book. The interesting tile cap on the hotel walls is called a "citarilla," either shaped bricks or tiles stacked on each other. A citarilla was used as open fencing or as a balustrade on a balcony. Mexican deco tiles are featured on staircases, doors, planters and fountains. We also used local sandstone as a central element of La Fonda.
Water and fountains are another prevalent theme throughout the hotel. Several beautiful fountains are featured at Avila La Fonda, many reproduced by artisans outside of Guadalajara. Still, the water you'll hear most is the crashing waves of the ocean nearby. We've created an Avila Beach lodging oasis!
The Inn at Avila Beach is our sister hotel, featuring a fun Mexican-Mediterranean beach house atmosphere. For more information about our sister hotel, call (805) 595.2300.
