The History of Avila La Fonda Hotel near San Luis Obispo

Several years ago, we began thinking about what kind of hotel would best fit our beloved Avila Beach. Could we set ourselves apart by constructing a new structure with an early California-Mexico theme? Could we capture the true essence of what lodging near San Luis Obispo should be?

Fortunately, our architect discovered a book written in 1928 by two young draftsmen who studied old houses throughout small Mexican towns. Their drawings and photos are credited with adding authenticity to many Spanish Colonial buildings constructed in California during the ‘20s and ‘30s. Several houses from the book are replicated in the hotel's San Miguel Street façade, from a casa in Taxco to a 16th-century dwelling on the Plaza Grande. Each of the veneers features a variety of stucco, roof tiles, railings and colors that provides our building with the appearance of a village.

Upon entering La Fonda's massive doors, guests immediately notice the soaring rock fireplace and the two-story tile mural of Avila Beach's distinctive shoreline. Five stained glass windows depict Avila's hillsides, and flood the lobby with warm, colorful light, while eight large Mexican tin star lights produce hundreds of twinkling spots across the ceiling. Mexican folk art, early Californian artifacts and paintings can be found throughout the hotel, as well as over 25 stained glass windows, cones, fountains and lamps. The jewel tones inherent in the decor reflect the beauty and colors of the surrounding area. 

But don’t just take our word for it - our hotel is recognized by TripAdvisor as a Travelers Choice "Top 25 Romantic Hotels in the US."  We invite you to come and experience the aesthetic odyssey for yourself. Reserved for romance, we think you’ll agree that we've created a true resort oasis.