5 Must See Attractions In Avila Beach Most of the popular beach spots in California are very crowded, especially during the long summer season.  When the beach becomes too crowded, tourists look for alternatives, so they can settle down and relax.  Avila Beach is one of the rare remote tourist spots that is only being discovered now.  With a population of only around a thousand people, the locals know each other very well.  Avila Beach town was established in the second half of the 19th century.  It served as a shipping port for San Luis Obispo county.  Before it filled with Avila Beach homes, this town was also a fishing pier.  Avila's beauty is not only contained in its beaches, but also in the extensive apple orchards found inland. With the town opening up to tourists, Californians now have a new spot for beach vacations.  Avila Beach is a half-mile stretch of fine sand.  Facing the San Luis Bay, this is a great place to watch the sunrise.  The beach is also considerably warmer than the Central Coast since the mountains protect the beach from prevailing northwesterly winds.  The beach itself has home complexes and golf courses facing the bay.  As more Avila Beach homes are constructed, more small businesses, inns, and specialty shops will be established. Avila is rising from its old historic identity to become the prime destination for tourists.  A host of complexes, golf courses, Avila Beach hotels, and Avila Beach homes are on blueprint.  Tourism is now the main industry of the town, and with a large expanse of land either untapped or still being developed, the industry still has a lot of room for growth. Let us look at some of the fine attractions in Avila Beach. Avila Lighthouses Avila is populated with lighthouses that used to guide the fisher folk during the old days.  Now, the lighthouses that are perched in the top of the hills serve as a historic attraction.  The Point San Luis Lighthouse is a historic structure that hosts tourists in guided hikes, educational trips, and family bonding.  From the foot of the hill where the lighthouse is located, designated guides can lead you on a morning hike up the hills.  The short hike includes majestic viewpoints where you can also watch the sunrise.  On the top of the hill, you will find a house with a short tower where the torch is located.  After the tour, the guide will bring you back to your Avila Beach home or your hotel.  The Point San Luis Lighthouse is a marvel especially for tourists who are interested in knowing the history of the place. Old Port Of Avila Beach Avila Beach is a historic seaside resort, and while new establishments removed some of the identity of the town, attractions like the old port remind tourists and locals of the original town.  From the Avila Beach homes, tourists can walk to the old port to see the remnants of the town.  The old port reminded people how the town was destroyed after a 400,000-gallon oil spill forced most of the people to evacuate.  After the town was worn down and plans for rebuilding were made, people noticed its potential as a beach vacation spot.  The construction of the beach was stop-and-go until more people became interested and invested in the town.  The old port still remains the symbol of the town's long past.  From your Avila Beach homes, you can walk to the port and be greeted by bait rafts.  There are also fish markets near the old port, and if you want some rest after the short hike, you can stay at the Old Port Inn.  You can watch the rolling waves from the glass windows in one of the inn's rooms. Hearst Castle Another remarkable historic attraction is the Hearst San Simeon Historical Monument.  This landmark is just a few minutes drive away from the Avila Beach homes.  This structure is both a castle and a monument.  The old castle was left by the tycoon Randolph Hearst.  Inside, you can see a vast collection of artwork from Europe, as well as give you a slice of the elite lifestyle of the American West during the 19th century.  Aside from the exquisite interior decor, the Hearst castle has a variety of pools and gardens.  You can take a tour from where you are staying.  This is a must-visit for all tourists of Avila Beach. Central Coast Winery Avila Beach is also known for its wineries and vineyards.  From the beach, you can take an early walk to the best wineries in the county such as the Paso Robles and the Edna Valley.  This luxury attraction offers wine testing events and tours.  In Central Coast Winery, you can find wine exclusively from Avila Beach, as well as products from other producers from Edna Valley and Nipomo regions. Natural Attractions In Avila Beach Avila Beach is truly a paradise for those who seek nature as their refuge.  This is one of the few places in California where you can see seals sunbathing on the beach.  Tourists who reside in Avila Beach homes are willing to drive for 45 miles along the scenic Highway 1 in order to go to the Ragged point.  The Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery is a great place to view these seals.  If you go to Avila Beach during winter, you may witness thousands of migratory butterflies settling near the Avila Beach.  These natural attractions serve as a testament to the serenity of the area. Avila Beach is mostly undeveloped, but construction and rebuilding is going at a fast rate.  The best way to spend time in Avila Beach is to stay for a couple of days at an Avila Beach hotel, or an Avila Beach home.  Invite your friends and coworkers to join you in a round of golf, or if you are adventurous, you can hike through the trails or rent water sports equipment.  Avila Beach is definitely a perfect mix of the old and the new.