Avila Beach & the Promenade

Avila Beach is the wide, sandy beach right in front of town. It faces south into San Luis Bay, with headlands on either side, so it is often calmer and warmer than other beaches on this part of the coast. The waves are usually small and the shallow edge is easy for wading, which is why families pick it first.

Right behind the sand is the Front Street promenade, a walking street lined with places to eat, shop and sit with a view of the water. The Avila Beach Pier runs out from the middle of the beach. It is mostly closed for repairs right now, so if you want to walk out over the water, head to Harford Pier at Port San Luis, at the end of Avila Beach Drive.

The beach, like the others around the bay, is managed by the Port San Luis Harbor District.

Getting there and parking

Take Avila Beach Drive west from Highway 101 and follow it into town. There is free street parking, but it fills up fast on warm weekends. Look on San Luis Street and First Street, then walk down, or try the free spaces along Avila Beach Drive by the golf course just before San Juan Street. There is also a paid lot off First Street. Our parking guide has the full rundown, and Getting Here & Getting Around covers the trolley and the Bob Jones Trail if you would rather not drive in.

Things to do on Avila Beach

• Swim, wade and play in the sand. The calm water makes this the easiest beach in the area for little kids.
• Paddle. Surfers, paddleboarders and kayakers all use the bay. Paddleboarders can head up San Luis Obispo Creek toward the Bob Jones Trail bridge. See Kayak & Paddleboard for rentals and tips.
• Picnic and grill. Picnic tables and BBQ pits sit on the sand near the playground. They're first come, first served, so claim one early on summer weekends.
• Let the kids loose at the playground. A pirate-themed playground on San Juan Street at the west end of Front Street has a pirate ship, climbing sculptures and a sand pit, and there are swings on the beach nearby.
• Shoot hoops or play volleyball. Avila Beach Park, by the playground, has a free basketball court, and there are sand volleyball courts on the beach off Front Street. Both are first come, first served.
• Walk the promenade. Grab food on Front Street (see Restaurants) or visit the Central Coast Aquarium in town.
• Friday nights in season. The farmers market sets up on the promenade on Friday evenings in the warmer months.

Beach rules

The Harbor District's beach regulations apply here. Besides the dog hours, alcohol and fire rules above, the list also bans:

• Amplified music and generators
• Roping off areas or digging large, deep holes
• Confetti, rice or other non-natural materials
• Portable dance floors and cords run along the beach or sea wall

If you are planning a wedding or party on the sand, read that page first, and see Weddings & Group Events.

Water safety

San Luis Obispo Creek reaches the ocean at Avila Beach. Keep small children out of the creek mouth and play in the open surf instead.

If you rent a kayak or board, check the wind before you go out. Harbor patrol officers told KSBY that many of their paddle rescues involve people blown out of the harbor by wind, and that inflatable kayaks aren't recommended on the ocean. Kids under 13 need a life jacket when kayaking or paddleboarding. Our Weather & Conditions page has today's wind, surf and tides.