Surfing & Surf Lessons

Avila is a small-wave town. The beach faces south into a sheltered cove, so most days you get small, slow, sandy-bottom waves. That's ideal for a first lesson, a kid on a soft-top or an easy longboard session.

Where to surf

• Avila Beach. The main beach downtown is the beginner spot, best at mid to high tide with waves around 2 to 4 feet, summer through fall. The bottom is sand. Rentals and lessons are right there. The Avila Beach Pier is mostly closed for repairs, so give it a wide berth.
• Harford Pier ("Harbors"). A point break at Port San Luis that only works on big swells, mostly late fall through winter. Better for intermediate surfers.
• Cave Landing. A left-breaking reef between Avila and Pirate's Cove that works on south swells in late summer and fall. Hidden rocks; experienced surfers only.
• Shell Beach and Pismo. A few minutes south, Shell Beach has rockier, more demanding breaks, and the Pismo Beach Pier picks up more consistent surf for all levels. Get to Pismo before 9 a.m. on weekends.

Surf lessons

Avila Beach Surf School

Lessons for all ages and abilities, with packages that include boards and wetsuits, plus summer camps.

Van Curaza Surf School

Running since 1979, with private lessons and summer surf camps. Van Curaza also runs Operation Surf, a program for wounded service members. The Port San Luis Harbor District lists them as offering lessons year-round.

Board and wetsuit rentals

• The Sea Barn on the promenade sells surf wear and rents boards, wetsuits and beach gear.
• Avila Beach Surf Shop is family-owned and rents boards and wetsuits.
• Under the Pier rents boards and wetsuits in summer.

Everything else you can rent in town is on things to rent.

Before you paddle out

Check swell, tide and wind on our weather and conditions page. Mornings are usually glassier. If the surf is flat, take the board back and grab a kayak or paddleboard instead. More on the main beach is on our Avila Beach page.