Mission Pizza

Mission Pizza has been Avila's takeout pizza counter since 2008. It's at 36 San Miguel Street, tucked behind Custom House and run by the same restaurant group. You order, you carry it a block to the sand, and you eat with your feet in it. On a summer evening, that's hard to beat.

What to order at Mission Pizza

The specialty pies are the draw. The Kitchen Sink piles on pepperoni, salami, Italian sausage, linguica, mushrooms, peppers, onions and olives. The Smoked Tri-Tip pizza swaps red sauce for tomatillo, with tri-tip, queso fresco, onion and cilantro. Slices come in cheese or pepperoni.

Beyond pizza, there's tempura-battered fish and chips, New England clam chowder, a smoked tri-tip sandwich on a garlic-buttered French roll, wings and a cheesy garlic bread. Order online through the website and it'll be waiting for you.

Eating it on the beach

The main beach is a block away. Picnic tables and BBQ pits sit near the playground at the west end of Front Street, first come, first served. Alcohol and glass aren't allowed on the sand, so save the beer for later. See the Avila Beach page for the beach rules, and Avila with Kids if you've got a crew to feed.

Parking downtown fills fast on warm weekends, so check the parking guide before you head in.