Itineraries

These plans use places that are open as of October 2026. Hours change with the seasons, so check each business's website before you go. The Avila Beach Pier is mostly closed for repairs, so every plan sends you to Harford Pier for your pier walk.

One day in Avila Beach

Morning. Start with coffee at Kraken Coffee on Front Street or at Joe Momma's, the rooftop coffeehouse at the Inn at Avila Beach. Walk the promenade, then claim a spot on the main beach. If the tide is low, walk the rocky edges and look for sea life.

Midday. Drive about 1.5 miles west to Port San Luis and out onto Harford Pier. It's one of the few piers you can drive on. Walk to the end, watch the fishing boats, and have lunch at Mersea's on the pier or Fat Cats Cafe at its base. Harford Seafood Company sells fresh fish at the end of the pier if you have a cooler.

Afternoon. Pick one: rent a kayak or paddleboard from Avila Beach Paddlesports at Port San Luis (see kayak and paddleboard), take a harbor or whale watching trip from Harford Pier, or head back to town for a wine tasting room on Front Street or 1st Street. Grab a treat at Reimer's Candies & Ice Cream.

Evening. Dinner on Front Street. Good choices include oysters at Shuck Shack, French bistro plates at Blue Moon Over Avila, or Custom House on Front Street. Finish on the sand for sunset. See all our restaurants.

A relaxed weekend

Day 1. Follow the one-day plan above, at a slower pace. Check in somewhere you can walk from, like the Inn at Avila Beach or Avila Beach House on Front Street. See hotels and inns and vacation rentals.

Day 2, morning. Rent e-bikes from Bolt About Bikes on Front Street, or bring your own, and ride the Bob Jones Trail up San Luis Obispo Creek toward the Ontario Road staging area. If it's a Wednesday or Saturday, book a docent-led hike to Point San Luis Lighthouse instead. Hikes leave at 9 a.m. and return around 1 p.m., and reservations open two weeks ahead.

Day 2, afternoon. Head into Avila Valley. Stop at Avila Valley Barn for produce and local goods, then drive up See Canyon Road for the apple farms and cider in season.

Day 2, evening. Book a hot tub at Sycamore Mineral Springs or spend the evening at Avila Hot Springs. See hot springs and spas. Have dinner at Gardens of Avila at Sycamore, or head back to Front Street.

Day 3, if you have it. Walk the bluffs above Pirate's Cove, check the tide table for the tide pools, or take the dog to off-leash Olde Port Beach.

A day with kids

Morning. Beach time first, while the kids have energy. The promenade runs past a playground at Avila Ocean Park, and the beach has restrooms and outdoor showers. Rent boogie boards or wetsuits from The Sea Barn if the kids want to brave the cold water.

Late morning. Visit the Central Coast Aquarium in town, a small aquarium with touch tanks and local sea life. Check its website for open days, which are limited.

Lunch. Burgers or acai bowls at Avila Market on Front Street, or Fat Cats Cafe out at Harford Pier.

Afternoon. Drive to Avila Valley Barn for produce, local goods and a bite from the Chicken Shack or Smokehouse. On the way back, stop at Big Al's at the Beach or Reimer's for ice cream.

Evening. An early dinner in town, then sunset on the sand. Find more ideas on Avila with kids and free things to do.