Avila Beach Pier
You can walk a short way out, but about two-thirds of the pier is still closed for repairs. Here is the latest, and where to walk and fish instead.
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- Status
- Short stretch open; about two-thirds closed (October 2026)
- Open alternative
- Harford Pier at Port San Luis
- Where
- Off Front Street and the promenade, mid-beach
- Managed by
- Port San Luis Harbor District
Current status: mostly closed for repairs
As of October 2026, you can walk a short way out on the Avila Beach Pier, but about two-thirds of it is still closed for repairs. If you want a long pier walk or a spot to fish, drive west to the end of Avila Beach Drive and visit Harford Pier at Port San Luis, which is open, has free fishing and lets you drive right out onto it.
For the latest, check the Port San Luis Harbor District, which manages the pier.
The pier in the middle of town
The pier runs straight out from the middle of Avila Beach, at the foot of Front Street and the promenade. It's the pier in most photos of the town, and it has long been a place to stroll, fish and look for whales. A Whale Trail sign on the pier points out what to watch for when it's open.
The repair story so far
The pier has been closing and partly reopening for a decade. Here is the short version, from local news reports:
- 2015: Half the pier closed for safety. KSBY reported that crowds watching whales made the pier sway, and the Harbor District closed it out of caution.
- 2022: Repair work started on the narrow trestle, the decking and railings. The nonprofit Friends of Avila Pier raised the last $245,000 needed to start (KSBY, July 2022).
- 2023 and 2024: Storms left the end of the pier in critical condition, adding an estimated $1 million to $1.5 million to a repair bill of more than $2.5 million. A state Wildlife Conservation Board grant of $1.25 million helped cover it (KSBY, March 2024).
- Early 2026: Visitors could walk part of the way out while crews planned the next phase. The Harbor District was looking at moving the boat landing closer to shore, a design that still needs California Coastal Commission approval (KSBY, February 2026).
- Fall 2026: A short stretch near the beach is open to walk. About two-thirds of the pier is still closed for repairs.
Plans for later phases include finishing the wide deck at the end, adding restrooms and repairing the boat landing. If you'd like to help, the Friends of Avila Pier collect donations for the work.
Enjoying the pier while it's closed
- Photograph it. The pier is a favorite subject at sunrise, and you can shoot it from the sand on either side. See Jay's Sunrise Collection for ideas.
- Enjoy the beach around it. The sand on both sides is the main town beach, with the promenade right behind. See Avila Beach & the Promenade.
- Watch for wildlife from shore. Whales sometimes pass through the bay. See Whale Watching for tours from Harford Pier.
Where to go instead
Harford Pier is the open pier in Avila. It's a working fishing pier with a fish market, a restaurant, boat tours and sea lions on the docks below. The Harbor District says no fishing license is required on its public piers. Fish you may catch off the piers include halibut, salmon and mackerel in spring, and rockfish, sharks and barracuda in summer and fall. Read our Harford Pier guide and the Fishing & Charters page before you go.
Local tips
- For pier fishing while it's under repair, go to Harford Pier, where no fishing license is needed.
- The pier still makes a great sunrise photo from the sand, especially at low tide.
- On a hot afternoon, the shade beside the pier is one of the few on the beach.
- Check the Harbor District's website for reopening news before you plan around the pier.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Avila Beach Pier open?
Partly. As of October 2026 you can walk a short way out, but about two-thirds of the pier is still closed for repairs. Harford Pier at Port San Luis is fully open.
Why is the Avila Pier closed?
The pier is old and was damaged by storms. Part of it has been closed for safety since 2015, and repair work has been going on in stages since 2022.
When will the Avila Pier reopen?
No reopening date has been announced. Watch the Port San Luis Harbor District site for updates.
Do you need a fishing license on the piers here?
Not on the Port San Luis public piers, according to the Harbor District. You do need one to fish from the beach.
