Welcome to adventure’s natural habitat

For both hikers and bikers, the Bob Jones Trail offers an easy and enjoyable journey to the beach. The 5.2-mile out-and-back trail is paved, so it can be traversed in footwear of all kinds. And with only 104 feet in elevation gain, it’s considered an easy path. Begging just next door to Avila Pismo RV Resort, much of this trail runs alongside the San Luis Obispo Creek. The old oak trees that grow along the water offer a decent amount of shade, and you’ll find benches scattered along the trail where you can stop and rest along the way. If you’re looking to get out and stretch your legs without necessarily working up a sweat, the Bob Jones Trail is a great choice.

You’ll find an abundance of hikes near Avila Pismo RV Resort. But none are quite as intellectually engaging as the docent-led Pecho Coast Trail Hikes. Located on private property, you have to be accompanied by a docent to enjoy the trail. And once you’re there, you’ll get an ecological overview of the area, a history of the native Northern Chumash people, and an optional tour of the Port San Luis Lighthouse. On these memorable hikes you’ll learn something new at every turn.

When you stay at Avila Pismo RV Resort, you’re just five miles from Avila Beach and the cobalt blue waters of the San Luis Obispo Bay. If you like stand-up paddleboarding, solo kayaking, or tandem paddling, this local rental company can help you get everything you need to enjoy the bay your way. Reservations are recommended, as is planning your paddle-powered adventure for 9a.m.–12p.m. to avoid the rough waters that are common in the afternoon.

The Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove is one of only five sites in California that has counts of over 10,000 butterflies annually. Each year thousands of vibrant orange and black western monarch butterflies flock to Pismo State Beach to seek shelter from the freezing northern winters. From late October to February, the monarchs cling to the limbs of towering Eucalyptus trees where visitors can find them clustering together to protect one another from the elements.

From January through mid-November, small group sizes make Avila Beach Whale Watching’s tours one of the biggest attractions in the area. With grey whales in April and humpbacks in September, the marine life you’re likely to see changes from season to season. But with this company’s whale or dolphin siting guarantee, you’re all but guaranteed to have a great time—no matter what time of year you visit.

Nestled at the edge of the San Luis Obispo Bay, this par-72 championship course offers sweeping views and a satisfying challenge. Designed by Desmond Muirhead, the course is constructed with kikuyu grass fairways and quick, classic bent-grass greens. The front nine holes wind through hilly terrain, while the back nine traverse a tidal estuary with multi-level greens and several forced carries. It’s the kind of course you can only find on the Central Coast.

Every Friday evening (4–8p.m.) from April through September, the Avila Beach Promenade transforms into a bountiful farmers’ market. With stalls selling everything from fresh-cut bouquets and locally grown tomatoes to wildflower honey and small batch skin care, it’s a great place to pick up picnic provisions or souvenirs while enjoying live music and all kinds of local food trucks.

Just a five-minute walk from the Avila Pismo RV Resort brings you to a natural mineral hot spring that’s been helping visitors relax their bodies and minds for more than 100 years. Their fresh-water swimming pool with double slide keeps younger visitors entertained. While their hot mineral pool and massage services offer great self-care options for adults. With discounted admission after 5pm, it’s the perfect place to reward yourself with a good long soak after a strenuous hike.