Avila Beach is a small beach town, with less surfer influence then at Pismo. It lies in the shadow of Diablo Valley Canyon Nuclear Power Plant. Sometimes when shifts get off at the power plant a long line of cars will empty out all at once. Avila Beach is a short drive from San Luis, about 15 minutes. After taking the Avila Beach turnoff from the 101 you will pass the Avila Hot Springs resort. Avila Beach is a small beach town. There is a pier, with fisherman usually trying their luck.

You can charter fishing boats from this pier as well as purchase very fresh seafood. There is one permanent seafood vendor as well as sometimes 1/2 way down the pier a local vendor who sets up shop with his tanks. Also note sea lions love the pier and you will often see them lounging around towards the end of the pier - on some steps leading down to the water (a lower level). If you continue past Avila Beach you will come to the end of the road at Port San Luis. There is a pier here, some old sea dogs living in their boats, and three restaurants. One restaurant is at the end of the pier, a cafe is located towards the middle of the pier and, the other restaurant is called "Fat Cats" and is next to the side of the road and is open 24 hours a day.

The entire town of Avila Beach was transplanted inland by several hundred feet during a huge cleanup  operation by a major oil company. This company cleaned up the beach area from seeping oil and other pollutants and replaced the entire beach with new sand. When finished they changed the look of the front of town, and moved the buildings back into near their original locations. A new quite large hotel is being built as of late 2005 and the town now, looks quite a bit different from just a few years ago. It has become more "quaint", touristy, and clean looking.

A woman was killed in a shark attack off the main beach here in 2003 and there are warning signs to this effect posted about. Visibility in the water is often not very good and can be quite silty. Avila Bay is pretty sheltered and you will typically not find surfers here. Pismo Beach however usually has surfers near the main pier. A gorgeous "SLO" way to Avila Beach that Dave highly recommends if you have the time is the Perfumo to See Canyon "camino en la cielo" -- Road in the Sky,

(here we name borrow from the scenic road that leads east off of the 154 San Marcos Pass in Santa Barbara County).

The Perfumo Canyon road leads off from Los Osos Valley Road, about 1 - 2 miles South of where the junction of Foothill and Los Osos Valley Roads meet. It winds its way into the hills above San Luis Obispo, where you will have excellent views of the 7-sisters, including a "small" Morro Rock in the distance - it will lead down the back side of these hills where it will turn dirt road for about a mile (it is well graded and easy for cars to drive this - although I would exercise caution after severe rain) and it will eventually drop into See Canyon (a well-known local apple growing region). From See Canyon its about 10 minutes to Avila Beach.

No visit to the central coast is complete without stopping to see the Hearst Castle. (42 miles north of San Luis along highway 1) Hearst Castle was one of William Randolph Hearst's homes. He was a newspaper baron among other professions. There are several tours given; because the grounds and mansion are so big, you cannot cover everything in one tour. The main house consists of 115 rooms. There are three guesthouses on the 127 acres. There are four daytime 1.75 hour tours given. The FIRST TOUR covers the gardens, a guesthouse, both pools and the ground floor of the mansion. TOUR 2 includes the upper stories, Hearst's private quarters, the study/ library, and both pools. TOUR 3 includes the north wing of the main building, a guesthouse, gardens, and both pools. Lastly, TOUR 4 covers mostly the garden area, wine cellar, the largest guesthouses and both pools. TOUR 4 is given only between April and October. Tickets for the day tours are $14 for adults. Children between the ages of 6 to 12 are $8. Evening tours are $25 for adults and $13 for children.

The mansion is quite impressive. I was most impressed however, with the spring fed pool. Near the pool large marble statues of sea goddesses and other creatures are displayed. On a clear day the views from the pool side are spectacular. The ocean lies in the distance and the rolling hills east and north of the castle are beautiful in their own right, especially when they are green. This pool also runs into a room and under walkways. 24 carat gold tiles line the pool. Inside the mansion you will see old priceless paintings, carvings, statues, books ect.

Visit the Hearst Castle Web site: www.hearstcastle.com 

For lodging in the San Simeon area try: www.raggedpointinn.com This is an ocean view resort located near Hearst Castle & San Simeon, featuring a luxury hotel, restaurant, gallery, hamburger stand, general store, nature trails, gardens, & a weddings department.

Los Osos is a fairly old small community nestled near the coast between the state Park Montano de Oro and Moro Bay. It is the gateway community to Montano de Oro which has great hiking and biking trails as well as coastal access.

One small restaurant in Los Osos I recommend is Noi's Thai Takeout, a very good Thai restaurant located at 1288 2nd St. PHONE: 805-528-6647. They have a small selection of noodle or rice dishes - but each one is very well prepared and seasoned to meet any level of "heat" that you desire. The owner, Noi has been serving food in her restaurant for 13 years and hails from northern Thailand. Deck and outside dining available. The restaurant is decorated in SE Asian decor with articles about Noi and her restaurant hanging inside. Photo to the right is taken in the front of Noi's Restaurant