Set up camp or just go for a stroll in this cozy beach community.
Overlooking San Luis Obispo Bay on California's Central Coast, Avila Beach is a pretty coastal town offering three scenic piers (one of which is used for commercial fishing), plus a sandy beach. There's a smattering of local attractions, including the Point San Luis Lighthouse and the Central Coast Aquarium. While quite a few camping spots dot the Central Coast region, both inland and right on the beach, many campers simply use this area as a jumping-off point to explore other spots nearby, such as Los Padres National Forest and the Big Sur Coast.
North of Avila Beach, the Big Sur Coast has long attracted a mix of bohemian artists and outdoorsy types with its larger-than-life coastlines and miles upon miles of virgin forest. Here you'll find campgrounds, hiking trails, hot springs, and spiritual retreat centers galore.
Encompassing both coastal areas and inland woodlands, Los Padres offers an extensive network of hiking trails and a solid mix of public campgrounds. It also has a variety of wilderness areas, including the Ventana Wilderness, home to the Sisquoc Condor Sanctuary.
Drive far enough and you'll end up in crowded Los Angeles, but there's plenty of SoCal coastline between the Avila Beach area and LA that merits a visit. Popular areas include posh Santa Barbara, Emma Wood State Beach (a favorite among RV campers) and Malibu, at the base of the rugged Santa Monica Mountains.
Avila Beach has a temperate climate, and as it's hemmed in by coastal headlands, the weather tends to be a little warmer than elsewhere on the Central Coast. Late spring through early autumn is the most pleasant time to visit, with temperatures in the 70s from May through October, though winters—while rainy—rarely see temperatures drop below the mid-40s.