Exploring Avila Beach on the California Central Coast

#FrankAndShannon #Travel #AvilaBeach #CentralCoast

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! 

#FrankAndShannon #Travel #RVTravel #AvilaBeach #CentralCoast

#FrankAndShannon #RVTravel #Travel #AvilaBeach #CentralCoast

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)!

#FrankAndShannon #RVTravel #Travel #AvilaBeach #CentralCoast

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.

#FrankAndShannon #RVTravel #Travel #AvilaBeach #CentralCoast

#FrankAndShannon #Travel #RVTravel #AvilaBeach #CentralCoast

#FrankAndShannon #Travel #RVTravel #AvilaBeach #CentralCoast

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.

#FrankAndShannon #Travel #RVTravel #AvilaBeach #CentralCoast

#FrankAndShannon #Travel #RVTravel #AvilaBeach #CentralCoast

#FrankAndShannon #Travel #RVTravel #AvilaBeach #CentralCoast

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.

#FrankAndShannon #Travel #RVTravel #AvilaBeach #CentralCoast

#FrankAndShannon #Travel #RVTravel #AvilaBeach #CentralCoast

#FrankAndShannon #Travel #RVTravel #AvilaBeach #CentralCoast

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. 

#FrankAndShannon #Travel #RVTravel #AvilaBeach #CentralCoast

#FrankAndShannon #Travel #RVTravel #AvilaBeach #CentralCoast

#FrankAndShannon #Travel #RVTravel #AvilaBeach #CentralCoast

#FrankAndShannon #Travel #RVTravel #AvilaBeach #CentralCoast

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.

#FrankAndShannon #Travel #RVTravel #AvilaBeach #CentralCoast

#FrankAndShannon #Travel #RVTravel #AvilaBeach #CentralCoast

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!

#FrankAndShannon #Travel #RVTravel #AvilaBeach #CentralCoast

#FrankAndShannon #Travel #RVTravel #AvilaBeach #CentralCoast

#FrankAndShannon #Travel #RVTravel #AvilaBeach #CentralCoast

#FrankAndShannon #Travel #RVTravel #AvilaBeach #CentralCoast

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!!!

#FrankAndShannon #Travel #RVTravel #AvilaBeach #CentralCoast

#FrankAndShannon #Travel #RVTravel #AvilaBeach #CentralCoast

#FrankAndShannon #Travel #RVTravel #AvilaBeach #CentralCoast

#FrankAndShannon #Travel #RVTravel #AvilaBeach #CentralCoast

#FrankAndShannon #Travel #RVTravel #AvilaBeach #CentralCoast

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.

#FrankAndShannon #Travel #RVTravel #AvilaBeach #CentralCoast

#FrankAndShannon #Travel #RVTravel #AvilaBeach #CentralCoast

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?

68 thoughts on “Exploring Avila Beach on the California Central Coast”

  1. caroline schaffer

    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!

  2. 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.

  3. Annemarie LeBlanc

    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.

  4. 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!

  5. 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!

  6. 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!

  7. 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!

  8. 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.

  9. 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!

  10. 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.

  11. I have never even heard of Avila Beach before but now I want to visit! That food looks great too especially the corn.

  12. Ann Bacciaglia

    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.

  13. 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.

  14. 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.

  15. Nicole Etolen

    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

  16. Oooo this looks like a pretty fantastic spot to visit!!! I just love little beach towns! They are always so fun 🙂

  17. Bonnie @ wemake7

    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.

  18. 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.

  19. 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!

  20. 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.

  21. 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!

  22. 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!

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