HotelTonight – Avila Beach Hotels at the Ready
When I drive north from Los Angeles to the markets in Northern California, I usually take Interstate 5. It's the fastest and most efficient way to get from Point A to Point B, and I have always found the agricultural landscape you see as you drive to be quite beautiful. That said, after dozens of trips in that direction, I was ready for a change. I scheduled a bit of extra time to give myself the opportunity to drive up along the coast. I found it to be just the break from the routine that I needed. I was mesmerized by the beauty of the coast and the water. I couldn't believe how rocky the landscape was becoming. Just then, I got a call that led to another opportunity. My entire day of meetings for later that day had been canceled, so I was free for 24 hours. I was thrilled and decided to stop at Avila Beach to explore. I wasn't worried about finding a place to stay, as I had my HotelTonight app on my phone. I'd book an Avila Beach hotel room when I was ready to call it a day and get some sleep.
The Town
There are only about 15,000 people living in Avila Beach, but as I descended down the hill towards the ocean and into town, it became immediately clear that this was the quintessential coastal California town. The architecture was all beach, the layout was as if you wouldn't even want to drive a car and I'm pretty sure everyone I saw was in shorts and flip flops. I got out and got a coffee, and everyone I spoke to lived there but acted as though they were on a permanent vacation. This was a happy place.
The Hiking
I wanted to get a look at the views around town, so I grabbed my shoes out of my car and jumped on a trailhead near the center of town. Before I knew it, I was walking in the direction from which I came, but that was fine with me. As I got towards the top of the hill, I looked down and saw nothing but the beautiful blue surf and this quaint, happy little community below. Up top, I got to see hawks soaring, seagulls looking for food and I listened to the wind ease its way through the trees.
The Dining
I heard about a local place while hiking that was quite popular, so I decided to give it a try. It was a nice-looking place with a big patio, and I sat outside. I had crab cakes that were as good as anything I had ever tasted in Maryland. They were flaky, flavorful and crunchy on the outside. They were served on a bed of corn salsa and greens that added a whole layer of delicious complexity to the meal. I ate happily while enjoying conversation with some of the other patrons.
HotelTonight – Avila Beach Hotels Are Available
I was full, happy and ready to rest. I opened my HotelTonight app and booked an Avila Beach hotel room in seconds. 20 minutes later, I was lounging on my bed, getting ready to fall asleep. I was thankful to have seen such a beautiful place that day.
