Our Beaches!
Avila is really three beaches, the first is Pirates Cove, which is a rugged, secluded, clothing optional private cove. Some incredible views come from Pirates Cove down the coast. Visitors should take caution as there is a steep winding path so be sure to go with a partner; it is not recommended to go alone. Enjoy the Cave Landing Road to the top of the hill which overlooks Pirates Cove.
The second beach is the Avila Main Beach, divided by the pier, the right side facing the ocean is intended for families and young children. This beach includes a children's park equipped with a pirate ship, playground, basketball courts and barbecue pits. During low tides children and adults can explore the tide pools underneath the bridge as well as an estuary full of wildlife. Closer to the pier, children will find beach swings. Families can use the public barbecues. On the pier, visitors will find clean public restrooms and showers, and during the summer the local boat shop is open at the end of the pier. Bring your fishing pole; no permit is required to fish off this large pier in Avila Beach. On the left side of the pier you will notice the college age visitors as well as couples escaping the kids next door. This side of the beach is excellent for exploring sea caves and coves. At low tide walk all the way to fossil point which is a beautiful area with 100 foot cliffs dominating the scenery.
The third beach of Avila is Harford Beach. You will know you have arrived when you see a boat ramp descending to the beach. There are public restrooms, a small sailboat ramp that requires 4WD, and a lot of free sandy beach for your dog to run. Pets are welcome on this beach at all hours. The locals call this beach "Dog Beach" for this reason. Here you will see beautiful views of Port of San Luis. Watch the local fisherman go out in the morning and bring in their catch at the end of the day. Enjoy sea otters at play, sea lions sunning themselves or the occasional porpoise in their usual small pod. At the far end of the beach are eight fire pits for public use at no charge, however; if you decide to have a bonfire in the summer, get there early. The locals plan a lot of birthday parties and gatherings at this end of the beach and the fire pits get taken fast.
Off the Beach
Includes: hiking, biking, boating, lake visits, monarch butterfly habitat, Elephant Seal Rookery and kayaking information.
The Point San Luis Light Station, near Avila Beach, is on the National Registry of Historic Places. The Lighthouse is currently accessible through a docent led 3.5 mile round-trip hike on the Pecho Coast Trail. Access is restricted to guided hikes only. Individuals and families (children 9 and up) are invited to join the hike on a first come, first served basis on Saturday mornings at 9:00 a.m. Water, hiking shoes, and the ability to complete a fairly strenuous 3.5 mile (round trip) hike are required. No pets or smoking are allowed. For more information about these hikes please call 541-TREK. Tours of the lighthouse itself are available every Saturday in conjunction with the docent led hikes. There is a suggested donation of $3 per person for the tour.
Visit South SLO County Wine Country
South San Luis Obispo County, located halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, has earned worldwide recognition and respect for the exceptional quality of wine grapes produced in this ideal viticultural area. The area includes the Edna Valley, the Arroyo Grande Valley, each a designated American Viticultural Area, the Avila Valley and Nipomo.
Wine growing in San Luis Obispo County stretches back to the missionary days of California viticulture, when the first grapevines were planted by the Franciscan padres who settled California in the 1880s. Today, because of this region’s ideal world-class microclimate and soils, wine grapes are the leading crop in San Luis Obispo County. 
There are over 3000 acres of vines in South San Luis Obispo County, and more vineyards are being planted. The climate and soils have been proven to provide the perfect environment for growing and producing ultra premium quality wines.
Due to the unique geography of the South Central Coast, the valleys have east-west orientations and are distinguished by the extensive maritime influence on the climate and soil. The soils are dominated by marine deposits left millions of years ago when the valleys were under water. Loam and clay topsoil overlay calcareous marine deposits promoting complex flavors.
The climate is tempered by marine air flowing directly into the valley from the Pacific Ocean. This cooling influence creates an unusually long growing season resulting in greatly intensified varietal flavors. All of these elements produce wine grapes and wines of complex flavors and intensity found only in the world’s greatest wine regions.
Tasting Rooms in Avila Beach
Alapay Cellars – 415 First Street, Avila Beach – (805) 595-2632
Avila Wine & Roasting Co. – 53 San Miguel Street, Avila Beach – (805) 627-1918
Kelsey See Canyon Vineyards – 1947 See Canyon Road, San Luis Obispo – (805) 595-9700
Morovino Fine Wines – 550 First Street, Avila Beach – (805) 627-1443
San Luis Obispo Vintners Association – (805) 541-5868
In 1865, George Hearst, a wealthy miner, purchased 40,000 acres of ranchland that included the Mexican Ranchos of Piedra Blanca, San Simeon and Santa Rosa. In 1919, his only son, William Randolph Hearst, inherited the land from his mother, Phoebe Apperson Hearst. By then the ranch had grown to encompass 250,000 acres.
Originally nicknamed “Camp Hill,” its wilderness offered a place for family members and friends to “rough it” on camping trips. While the arrangements for these trips were elaborate, with separate sleeping and dining tents, they would not satisfy Hearst for long. In 1919, his instructions to famed San Francisco architect Julia Morgan were simple, “...Miss Morgan, we are tired of camping out in the open at the ranch in San Simeon and I would like to build a little something...”
Hearst and Morgan’s collaboration was destined to become one of the world’s greatest showplaces. As they were planning and constructing his dream home, Hearst renamed the rocky perch from which it rose “La Cuesta Encantada”––The Enchanted Hill®. By 1947, Hearst and Morgan had created an estate of 165 rooms and 127 acres of gardens, terraces, pools and walkways.
The estate’s magnificent main house, “Casa Grande,” and three guesthouses are of Mediterranean Revival style, with the imposing towers of Casa Grande being inspired by a Spanish cathedral. The blending of the architectural style with the surrounding land, and Hearst’s superb European and Mediterranean art collections, was so seamless that world-renowned architectural historian, Lord John Julius Norwich, was moved to say that “Hearst Castle® is a palace in every sense of the word.”
Tour Information: Hearst Castle® is open for tours daily except on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Day tours usually start at 8:20 a.m. The last tour usually starts at 3:20 p.m. in winter, later in summer. Daytime tours take about one hour and 45 minutes, which includes the round trip from the Visitor Center. Tours depart from the Visitor Center by bus at the time printed on the ticket. An audio tape program provides background information during the 15 minute, five mile trip to the Castle. Although the Experience Tour is considered the least strenuous, persons with crutches, walking aids, or medical problems such as heart conditions may want to consider an Accessibly Designed Tour. All tours, except Accessibly Designed Tours, include a half-mile walk and 150 to 400 stairs, so comfortable shoes are recommended.
Tour Ticket Reservations (800) 444-4445
