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Avila Beach, San Luis Obispo County, Central Coast, California

Posted August 21, 2009 , trackback

In college my beach was Avila. Of course with Cal Poly so close by, I think Avila beach is the beach preferred by many a San Luis Obispo college student.

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View from beneath. http://www.flickr.com/photos/g-hat/317544673/

Located in an unincorporated area of San Luis Obispo county, the small town of Avila began as a shipping port for the central coast, and later, a fishing village. Nowadays there are still fisherman on the pier. But mostly, the small town is centered around the beach itself and the short strip of beach-town shops, restaurants and bars that line this stretch of coastline.

The beach itself is small– less than half a mile long and sheltered inside the San Luis Bay. Avila faces south and is protected from the prevailing northwesterly winds by Point San Luis, making it warmer than most beaches in the area, less windy. There are often surfers dotting the water, swimmers, and many, many sunbathers.

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Pier pilings. http://www.flickr.com/photos/gordonb/5095521/

In addition, there are three piers off the beach: Avila Beach Pier, intended for tourist strolling and recreational fishing, Harford Pier, for commercial fishing boats to offload their wares, and the Cal Poly Pier, part of the university’s marine research program and thus not publicly accessible.

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Avila beach and Point San Luis. http://www.flickr.com/photos/g-hat/317544673/

There is a certain charm to Avila, both the beach itself and the town. It’s small there, quaint even, but slightly musty as most beach towns are. Dogs are allowed on the beach at certain times, a fishing license is not required; there are picnic tables, public restrooms, weddings often take place here, though a permit is required.

Located roughly 9 miles southwest of San Luis Obispo, take the winding road through See Canyon with its orchards, farms and wineries until you hit the ocean. This is Avila.

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