Exploring Avila Beach on the California Central Coast
We live in a small town on the Central Coast and sometimes get a chance to enjoy romantic getaways together. Most recently, we enjoyed the weekend at Avila Beach. We took our RV and were lucky enough to find a spot with full hook-ups for our family RV. It was awesome!
Our RV spot with full hook-ups (not on the upper level) cost $65 per night. If you are looking at camping here, you’ll want to get there in the morning. Those who are checking out need to leave their spots by noon, so that’s when the spots will start to empty. I feel like we got really lucky with the spot we got! It was great because it had a parking spot for our RV, as well as another spot next to it for us to park our Tahoe. Plus, there was still enough room to set up our chairs and blue light rope (ha ha – looks like a pool outside)!
The first night we stayed in Avila Beach, we walked over to Fat Cats Cafe. We ordered Soup, Salad, Fish Tacos and beer. Then we headed back to the RV and watched a movie. It was a nice first day.
The next day, we woke up and headed back to Fat Cats for breakfast. We ordered Pancakes, Bacon, Biscuits and Gravy and a really yummy Omelet! I really like Fat Cats Cafe for dinner and breakfast, plus I liked that we could walk to it.
After breakfast, we took the free Avila Beach Trolley to Downtown. While it is free, they do ask for donations. I liked how cute and clean it was inside. I loved the clean windows all over it, so we could see the beautiful view on the way to town. It was only a few minutes ride. That weekend, they were having a Hobie Cat Regatta, so we got to see all the pretty sails along the beach.
Once we got to town, we headed to Mr. Ricks for a couple of beers. Mr. Ricks has ice cold beers, amazing Chicken Nachos and an outdoor patio where you can take in the sun and enjoy people watching and the ocean in the background.
After Mr. Ricks, we walked around Downtown Avila. We enjoyed a free slice of pizza and an ice cream sundae. We walked around some more after that and found a bike rental place.
I’d never been on an Electric Bike before, so we decided to rent some. Oh man, are they so much fun! I was really nervous at first, but once I walked my bike across the street (yes, I really did that), I hopped on and didn’t want to get off!
We rode the electric bikes on the Bob Jones Trail and headed to the Avila Valley Barn. I’ve gone there with the kids for pumpkins, but had never tried their Roasted Corn. Just writing about it is making my mouth water and want some right now! They had freshly roasted corn and a variety of toppings. I added butter, salt, lime, parmesan cheese and Pappie’s Seasoning. Wow!!!
After going to Avila Barn and riding our bikes around, it was time to return the electric bikes. I really had a great time with the Electric Bikes and couldn’t wait to ride them again. When we were done in Downtown Avila Beach, it was too late to take the trolley bike, so we walked back. I wanna say it was about a 20 minute walk, but I liked it.
When we got back to the RV, I was pooped out. It was time to get some dinner, enjoy a beer and cuddle up with my love and watch a movie (which I fell asleep during of course – ha ha!)! It was a great staycation!
Have you ever visited Avila Beach? What is your favorite thing to do there?
Avila is one of my favorite places! I love the Friday afternoon Farmer’s Market. Plus they have people performing usually bands right at the end of the pier. When the whales are there it’s amazing!
Sounds like a lovely little getaway. And you guys ate really well, huh?
I feel like I just went on vacation reading this and seeing your pics! We’ve just been talking about doing an RV trip (a first) so reading all your details gave some insight on that. You seem like you have it down. Such great activities and food spots too.
This looks like a lot of fun. I’ve never been on an RV before but I’ve always thought it would be cool to travel in one. The food looks great too.
That looks like so much fun! I remember going on a trip across the country in an RV when I was younger…it was the best!
That is all making me so hungry right now! Haha, I would definitely go eat at Fat Cat’s Cafe just because of the name.
It sure looks like you had a lot of fun! The food looked superb! I could just sit there and eat to my heart’s content.
What a great post that brightened my day! Your smiles say more than words can say! There looks like you had heaps of fun with activities and food! I have been to California many times and the open air always puts me in the mood for fun!
What a beautiful beach and it looks like you had an amazing time! The bike ride would probably be my favorite part but you just packed so much fun in!
Wow, that looks like a really great time! I’m hungry now just looking at all of that amazing food! I think my boys would be begging me for those bikes if they knew they existed! haha!
That is a beautiful spot! I have never been there, but I would love to after seeing these pictures. I think that food looks great too!
This sounds like a wonderful stay-cation, there are so many fun things to do in Avila Beach. The free trolley is such a great way to get around and sight see. I’ve never been RVing but your trip makes me want to rent one and go!
That looks like it was a fantastic getaway. The food looks amazing, and those beaches are great!
What a fantastic adventure! I can’t believe all of that amazing food. The bike ride looks like it was a lot of fun, too.
Such a beautiful place and the food looks fantastic, next time I go to California I know where to go. Thank! 😀
Looks like so much fun and the food looks amazing!!
All that food is making me even hungrier than I am!! LOL!! Looks like y’all had a great trip!!
I have never been to Avila Beach, but I would love to visit. Looks like a great place to have fun for a day.
Okay, you had an excellent time and now I want to visit this place! My son is moving out to California so I need to write this wonderful place down on my ‘to do’ list and experience it myself. I love vacationing in a RV as it just gives you a different way to be a part of the town you are staying. The Fat Cats Cafe looks like it will become one of my favorite places to eat.
What a fun place to staycation!
I love the photos. Y’all seem to have a great time!
I’d love to just hang out with my hubs like that too.
I’ve not been to Avila, but would love to visit.
Looks like a fun time and a relaxing getaway. I would love to go back to California someday so we could explore more.
Wow what a wonderful staycation! Such beautiful pictures and man all that food! Yum!!
It sounds like there is a ton to see (and eat) on Avila Beach. My first camping experience was a nightmare (teething toddler, newly pregnant, monsoon with a heat wave–yuk) but I am totally open to using and RV. Your view was amazing!
I have been to Avila Beach but not for many years. I used to live in Santa Maria and Shell Beach back in the 1980’s..I am so OLD. ARG. I also camp up at Lopez Lake. You made me want to make the trip a few more miles to enjoy Avila like in the old days.
That sounds like a super fun little getaway! I really wish we lived closer to a beach so we could visit more often.
I have never even heard of Avila Beach before but now I want to visit! That food looks great too especially the corn.
What a gun getaway! I live in Norcal, and love traveling back home to LA and stopping along the coast.
Looks like I will have to check out Avila Beach the next time my travels take me back to California! Great shots! 🙂
I love our time. We get to see these lovely places because you share it to us.
Looks like you guys had a great, relaxing getaway. Love the easy flexibility of RV travel.
You guys had a wonderful time! The beach is really nice and the food you featured looked delicious.
It looks like you guys had an amazing time. I’ve never visited, but I definitely want to.
That looks like a great mini getaway spot. Great beach, camping, food and biking!
I have never been to Avila Beach. I would love to go to this beautiful place. I love the rope lights around your campsite. That is such a good idea.
Oh this looks like such a great vacation. I love the corn you made as well. Corn is my favorite side.
This looks like such a beautiful place. The food looks so delicious. What an amazing trip.
I’ve never explored central California! Looks like the perfect place to camp out with the family!
Looks like a really fun place to explore. And all of the food looks so amazing!
It looks like you had a great vacation. I miss going camping with the family. We used to go camping in Colorado. My dad pulled a pop up tent and we had a blast.
The food from Fat Cats looks wonderful too as I am now drooling.
That looks like so much fun. I need to explore more of my hometown. I’m sure there is all kinds of fun waiting for me.
I love finding local restaurants within walking distance when traveling. This looks like it was an amazing trip.
It sounds like a real fun place. And, judging by your pictures, it looks to be really pretty as well! I think I would like Fat Cat’s Cafe, too. The food looks amazing.
Wow! You guys really did enjoy this exploration! Haha. The foods, the beach, the views = awesomeoness!
Your photos are amazing. I loved the photos of the corn. Lol! Glad you had a wonderful time.
This looks like so much fun. We used to camp in an RV all the time when I was younger. Hubs and I are saving for a new house, but after that we plan to get a camper or RV so we can start doing some traveling. There’s just something about the “bring your home with you” lifestyle. My dream is to travel the US in an RV or tote my camper someday.
It looks like you guys had an awesome time! I’ve never been to Avila beach before but if I’m ever in the area I’ll check it out!
What a gorgeous beach. It looks like you guys had a great time! Now I want some corn on the cob!
I have never heard about this Avila Beach. but i think its a nice place to visit i love go to the beach during summer i want to go there with my family the view was very relaxing its awesome place thank you for sharing
Looks like a very lovely place to explore. Looks like you had lots of fun, I love that corn. It’s looking mighty good!
Looks like a great staycation indeed! Now you just made me miss home the more. My hometown is located by the beach.
Looks like you had an amazing time! So much to do! The whole family would have a blast!
This looks like such a fun adventure. I love the setup you have in your parking spot and the food looks amazing.
Oooo this looks like a pretty fantastic spot to visit!!! I just love little beach towns! They are always so fun 🙂
Ha! I might walk an electric bike across the street first too. Gotta get used to it right? 🙂
Looks like y’all had a fabulous time! Those pancakes and that corn look delicious!!
OH my! I shouldn’t have read this before dinner. Everything looks amazing.
Oh my goodness… all that delicious breakfast food. It makes my yogurt seem really really unappealing. lol.
I’ve always wanted to visit California period. We are so far away but it’s a place I would love to go with my husband when the kiddos are grown.
That looks like a fun trip with amazing food! The rope light is a great idea!
I’ve never been to this beach before but would really like to go. It looks so beautiful and full of so many adventures.
I have always wanted to explore the west coast. I’m in Florida and love a good coastline!
This looks like and incredible place to visit – amazing sites, amazing food, so much to do. We’ve never been to California but would love to go.
I love that beautiful dolphin statue, I love CA beach towns, we took a road trip and one of our favorite places was Monterray Bay, CA. Next time we do another CA road trip, I’m putting Avila Beach on our list! Food looks amazing too!
This looks like such a fun way to spend some family time! The roasted corn looks super yummy!
It’s a rough life sometimes, eh? I’ve never done an electric bike OR a trolley, but I do love the beach and camping – it’s kind of like a little staycation every weekend.
I have always wanted to ride an electric bike. Looks like it was a really fun adventure!
What a fun little town to visit over the weekend! We live in Southern California and are always looking for cute beach towns. I love that you rode the electric bikes! That’s something I want to do!
Wow! What a fun place to visit! I’m in San Diego Diego and never had it on our list- but it is now! I’ve always wanted to try an electric bike, too and it looks like a blast! Thanks for the food reviews- that’s a huge help!