Avila Beach holds a special place in our hearts—it's our favorite escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. Whether we’re camping at Flying Flags, staying at Avila La Fonda, or booking a dog-friendly Airbnb, we love every moment we spend there. Avila Beach is dog-friendly before 10 AM and after 5 PM, and is where Khloe first learned to walk off-leash!

Our weekends in Avila always start with a walk on the beach, and coffee in hand from Kraken Coffee Company. Khloe has a particular fondness for their croissants, which became the perfect recall treat during her early training.

After breakfast, we like to explore the area, either hiking one of the many trails or biking the Bob Jones Trail. Once we’ve worked up an appetite, we head to Mersea's on the Port San Luis Pier for lunch. Haley almost always orders the fish tacos, while Christina prefers the blackened fish sandwich or fried oysters and chips. No matter what you choose, you can't go wrong! On weekends, there’s often live music, and you can even browse the daily catch at the fish market.

Next, Khloe burns off some energy at Olde Port Beach, a large dog-friendly beach located between the Port San Luis Pier and Avila. Afterward, we may wander through the shops in downtown San Luis Obispo or visit Avila Barn for pumpkin sweets, hayrides, and hot apple cider.

Don’t forget to grab some Santa Maria tri-tip and enjoy a breathtaking sunset on the beach!

Among locals, a smile forms on the face when Avila Valley Barn is mentioned. A favorite place to stop off and buy the freshest fruit and vegetables grown locally, pick up a pie or bakery treat, hand feed and pet farm animals, stop off for lunch from our Smoke House and Chicken Shack, or get an ice cream on the way to Avila Beach. Avila Valley Barn is truly a place built with the whole family in mind.

Haley's great uncle Johnny founded the Great American Melodrama 50 years ago and it has been a staple in the family ever since. We highly recommend seeing a show if you are interested in a unique theatre experience complete with costumed ushers and servers, and always ends with a vaudeville revue. A little known actor named Zac Efron got his start here!

The Bob Jones Trail is the City to the Sea bike trail that follows the Pacific Coast Railroad right-of-way along the San Luis Obispo Creek to Avila Beach. This trail is great for walking, jogging, skating, biking, etc. There is a cute restaurant on the trail, which offers great food and wine. It's only 2.5 miles long so it's an easy trail to complete with the whole family.

Hike along the cliffs among huge multi-million dollar mansions at the start of this trail. It then meanders along the cliffs above Pirates Cove, which is a clothing optional beach. Keep walking until you find Smuggler's Cave for this beautiful view. Difficulty: easy.

If you are looking for a more challenging hike, Bishop Peak is the perfect challenging yet quick hike offering stunning views of San Luis Obispo. This trail is a 3.7 mile out-and-back with over 1000 ft of elevation gain and is considered moderate in difficulty.