Avila Beach
Archived Q&A and Reviews
Vacation meet-up between Oakland & San Diego?
Aug 2009
My best friend and her family moved to San Diego. We both have children about 2 years old -- she had two kids. We are looking to find a town about 1/2 way between Oakland and San Diego for long-weekend visiting with both families that is an easier drive than the full distance and cheaper than airfare. Ideally somewhere that we can rent an inexpensive but not too shabby condo or suite of rooms that includes a real kitchen (i.e. more than just a microwave and mini fridge) and at least 2, preferably 3 bedrooms. Someplace kid friendly would be best. Near the beach would be nice but not required. Near a park with a play structure and/or a facility with a kid-friendly pool and/or other child activities is essential. miss my friend
Hi. I recommend Avila Beach. Its on the central coast, near San Luis Obispo. Stay at the lighthouse Inn. It is right on the beach but also has a pool, hot tub and lots of activities for kids and breakfast included. Avila is fun for the kids. you can go to the beach, fish off the pier, there are lots of places nearby where you can see tide pools, elephant seals, and other cool natural things. fan
May 2003
Re: Central Coast Beach with a one-year-old
I stayed at the Inn at Avila Beach on business and loved it! It's a pink 3 or 4 storey building right on the beach. The beach looks splendid (unfortunately, I didn't get to spend to much time there) and cost of the rooms is reasonable, considering the location. The decor of the rooms is very eclectic, but still quite comfortable. Avila Beach isn't right on Hwy 1 or 101, but not too far out of the way, either. There are a couple of decent restaurants there and at the harbor. I also seem to recall that the motel has laundry facilities... Anyway, have a fun trip. The central coast is lovely! anon
I don't have info on places to stay for you, but I was just in San Luis Obispo for the weekend and discovered a fantastic beach with my 3-and a half year old. It is called Avila Beach and is about 10 minutes drive south of SLO. The sand is soft, there is a pirate-themed playground, a great pier to walk down (go all the way to the end to see starfish and other critters), and restaurants (which we didn't try). Apparently there had been oil leakage many years ago and in recent years they have completely cleaned it up. The water was only a little warmer than up here in Bay Area but the weather is so hot it was refreshing. Lise
Avila Beach is great for families -- beach is very kid friendly (no waves). You can rent motorized bicycles and ride up and down Bob Jones trail. There is even a little farm at the end of it. The downtown is small and cute.