Wonderful place to hike! But the real gems are the caves. Just be prepared to test how strong and how fit you think you are.Theres two anchored (Mt. Climber) knotted ropes that you use to climb down. Looks tougher than it is. Most people should be able to get down safely. Getting back up, was a little more challenging.

The sea caves are a seriously fun adventure. The trails in are very easy but a lot of the best views and experiences require some light scrambling or climbing. This is a great place to see some marine life and to listen to the ocean crashing.

Kind of cool. Theres just a hole on the side of a cliff that makes this cave. Not that big of deal but neat to just drop by if you have nothing better to do. You park at the parking lot. Then take the trail to the left of the lot (if youre looking towards the end of the lot). There will be a sign that says Beach/Cave. Follow the cave sign pointing right to get to the cave.

Enjoyed the view from inside the cave overlooking the ocean. We also wish visitors would pick up the trash they hike in to keep this place beautiful ️!

Avila Sea Cave, Smuggler Cave, Pirate Beach and Pirate Pirate Nude Beach.They are at the same distance,It is very easy to find them. (google map shows all).Parking is rough for low cars but many spaces.Easy hike to the cave, and along with the coastline. (Definitely worth it).Walking up the mountain is a bit challenging but it returns with great views, spectacular, and very relaxing.Its sad to see so many tagging on rocks, toilet paper, trash everywhere.I will come back here again if I am in town.

Beautiful scenery with so much hiking trails to explore. Unfortunately people have littered and debris is seen everywhere and certain areas smell foul of urine. No potter potties or bathrooms accessible and nearest place with a bathroom is quite a drive. People were carelessly drinking and then hiking or going near the rocks edges. Only observed one highway patrol passing while there and he only did a wrap around. He appeared more concerned about the parked cars then the individuals walking around....most with alcoholic beverages. While hiking we found a cool entrance with trees surrounding us and on one of the trees was a creepy swing. Oddly ever picture I took, the tree and swing would come out and yet my fiance always came out blurry.

Nice little place you can walk down and said off and look at the sea and watch the sunset turn off to the side and theres a beautiful beach

It was a very beautiful and relaxing day! Great to explore on your own or with friends and family. I specially enjoyed the climb up the cave. Very easy hike.

Amazing experience. Nature at its most unique and beautiful.

Cool place to sit end enjoy the stellar view for a bit. There is a few large rocks to sit on while you take it all in. Someone has decided to leave some graffiti for your added pleasure. Definitely a great place for a photo op.

Nice peaceful walk along the cliff sides. Best place for pics that look like professional screensavers.

A nice Cave location giving Birdseye and Panoramic Views of the Avila and Pismo Beach areas including the Coast. There are some challenging trails leading to the bottom of the Cave but not very clean. Lots of young people come there for Alcohol enjoyment so not suitable for Kids. May not be safe after dark as well.

Incredible spot! No bathrooms or food nearby so bring what you need! Its a little bit of a hike down from the lot and the dirt portion of the lot has lots of ruts. Recommend 4x4 or AWD (yes you subi guys and girls). Overall beautiful spot away the the grind of the city. Highly recommend.

A great coastal location with some unique coastline. There are sea caves, archways and some amazing scenery. Well worth a visit.

Awesome people, great energy, theres something special and mysterious here.

So much fun and an easy walk. Note that if you walk down to the beach its clothing optional!

Currently watching the sunset from on top of a rock near the cave. A bit of a steep climb but definitely worth it! Some friends and I took a nice hike down and the closer we got the more fear began to try to take over. At one point I found myself sitting on a rock contemplating whether or not I should continue. But with the help my supportive group of friends, I was able to conquer my fears and experience something that I haven’t done since a child. Caves are filled with such wonder. Curiosity and persistence; all you need when you come here. Happy Exploring!

Fantastic place for sunrises or sunsets. Beautiful views of the shoreline with interesting natural arches, most of which are inaccessible without a boat or kayak. Nice place for short hikes or just hanging out and having a picnic. Some areas are cliff-like drops so keep an eye on children or pets. Great area for drones, but can be windy.

Best for people that want to see something new and more secluded

Worth the hike. A wonderful little hidden gem.

Cool little home with the family. Would have been fine starts off there wasnt so much trash.

Been here many times, it is beauty with a splash of awe. It is the wild oceans viewing spot.

Its soul cleansing Ive been coming here for 20 plus years I love it... its truly amazing

Its only 1 cave. Usually crowded. But if your in the area. Its a pretty walk..make sure to go to the free avila barn.

We love the sea caves! It is quite an experience to hike up the short walk to the top of the cliff only to turn the corner and find a huge cave that you can walk through and on the other side a beautiful crystal clear sea welcomes you to enjoy the Sun and Salty Sea Air on the other side of the cliff. My boyfriend and I always when we are in town.

Really cool hiking area. Wear good shoes! We were in flip flops and didnt get to do much as a result.

The views and the weather is so nice here, just the view and the sound of the ocean alone is so relaxing! Its a must to go and visit

Its a nice place. Alot of graffiti and trash does take away from the beauty . And its not to kid friendly after 6 . Light hike

More popular than it used to be. But still a great view

I went here? Mustve been a dream. Ill have to adjust my Google Dream Location Settings.

The view was well worth the hike. Bring water for hike.

Stunning, quiet beach cliffs with great trails and views. Bonus points for killer sunsets.

Very scenic. The cave is cool and of course the view around is wonderful. We were camping at Pismo Beach and made the 20 minute drive to see it and it was definitely worth it. Explore around the area the caves as well.@Mtrach88

Relative seclusion with fairly easy access and the views are great too

Its nice but the walk back up is hard

Really quite an area of exploration, so if you see a tiny little flattened trail, you better follow it. Ropes, past foot steps, and traces of human activity will guide you to caves, indoor bays, and even the tops of cliffs.

My serenity place.

Beautiful hike and views. Lost a star d/t trash and graffiti, which was really disappointing. Please take care of these areas people!

Its nice. Its a nice place. Watch out for some of the guys around there I think theyre a little left of center if you know what I mean. You know a little over the hill and around the bend. Very suspect.

Loved it had a wonderful time with my wife and son. Really beautiful place. Needs a little clean up

Its a very easy hike and the view from the cave is beautiful

Its worth a quick visit if youre in the area. Tacky graffiti all over the small cave took away from what otherwise was a pleasant experience. Very short hike to see it.

Beautiful. The most amazing place in our area.

Great views with good hiking and a secluded beach. Parking lot is a bit rough, kinda tricky with a car but plenty of space. Worth an off the beaten path detour if you are in the area.... And please do your part to keep it clean.

Great views be careful of poison oak and do not go after dark.

There was a lot more trash than normal and people camping in the parking lot.No one wore masks anywhere.

Great place to chill out and find inner zen.

Beautiful enjoy watching the seals

Great hiking trails all along the coast. Theres a beach you can hike down to as well.

Great view from there...

Must go place when visiting SLO. Very beautiful and quiet compared to the nearby beaches.

Nice trail, beautiful houses on trail. Pretty easy hike.

I love the views and parking is pretty easy. Although people seem to be dropping more of their trash up there. There should be more patrolling up there.

Parking here can be HORRIBLE. The parking lot itself isnt very large, but its also not paved / even at all. If you drive a standard compact car, you WILL scrape the bottom of your car in the parking lot.The time that I was here, the cops were towing everyone who parked on the sides of the street leading up to the parking lot as well, so park here at your own risk.

Great little hike. Strange people at the parking area. Many trails to go different directions.

Needs good trash cleanup

Nice spot to stop by your highway 1 trip

Nice trails.Our first path was just north of coastline toward very nice homes.Then we were told that where we parked there are two other trails that take you to the caves. Once we found d those trails the walk was rather easy and we made it to the caves.

Awesome place to see

Why havent you visit this cave? Its straight outta pirate of Caribbean. Its a shame the cave is vandalized by people who think tagging their name on wall is cool. Also dont bring your sedan into the mud, keep it on asphalt or you will need a tow truck/potentially ruin your car. No parking lot or overseer here.

This was a very beautiful place. We really enjoyed it.

Very nice hidden gem ! Go early the caves were neat but why people feel the need to graffiti it is beyond me the address on google in wrong the city is not slo it is Avila and smugglers cave and Avila sea cave is one of the same . They make it sound like it is two different places and it is not. The path takes you two different ways toward the cave or too the nude beach which when I was there it was not nude lol! . There are a few additional paths all lead to the ocean. Sturdy shoes are a must if you climb the rocks you need good shoes the steps to the beach is about twenty steps down then you get to a rope where you grab a hold of it to take to the bottom. The beach is nice and quiet the water was pretty clear not a lot of seaweed very nice

Excellent spot to watch the sunset!

Really cool spot would get 5 stars but sadly the graffiti destroyed natures beauty.

Beautiful view and beaches in surrounding areas

Didn’t make it down to the caves, couldn’t figure out where the trail was, but it was definitely beautiful and worth the trip up just to enjoy the view. Parking is a little tough, careful with your car, there’s lots of holes!

Very nice beach! Pirates cave is cool!

Nice veiw. A little more people then a few years ago

Beautiful place to hike, take in the view and see the ocean.

All I can say is its a beautiful place

To get to this beautiful sea cave it is only a very small hike of about 10 minutes and the view is very nice!

Really cool place. A must see if you have kids. Kayaking into the caves is amazing but you need the right guide.

Awesome place to go hiking, But beware this is a nude Beach.

There are a number or poorly maintained trails from the top of the hill above Avila- some go down to the beach and the caves and others up the ridge behind. Its a good spot for a short wander or hike. It gets VERY muddy here when it rains. If you go to the beach, be careful not to get trapped by high tide. The one downside of the area is that the main parking has a lot of trash. It seems like Cal-Poly college kids come here to party and judging by some of the vehicles in the lot, homeless folks stay here too.

Very beautiful view and a nice little hike with great weather

The past histories of the caves are the inspiration for tomorrow they were vast...

Hidden gem. Great place.

Anything on the beach is amazing... Beautiful. Relaxing.

10/10 lots of naked people also caves I guess

Cool spot to hike around for an hour or so

BEAUTIFUL!!!

Really cool bluff for fishing or hiking. There is a nice cave here but takes a bit of climbing to get too. For an easier hike try the Pirates Cove side.

Awesome area for short hikes and beautiful views. Note that some of the areas are clothing optional. If you are easily offended or worry about your children, take note of those areas. Otherwise enjoy the beach freely and live life fun.

Mlm

Beautiful. Spectacular. Breathtaking.

So beautiful. I highly recommend and it’s great for families.

Super romantic place with cool graffiti

All I can say is beautiful

Beautiful. Cal poly students were out cleaning and picking up garbage. If only more visitors packed in and packed out their garbage!

Nice Place To camp out.. it just Sucks When It Rains..

Nice place to go and hang out. Rope down is a little sketchy at times but its never broken

Beautiful view!

Beautiful

Really beautiful hike and sunset vantage point. Trail is to the right of the parking area. Beach is to the left.

Cool place to visit if you are in Avila Beach. Go take a hike around a d get some fresh air.

Nice quiet place!

Gorgeous beaches. Caves, shells and sea glass abound. You do have to use some ropes to access some of the beaches. Locals were extremely friendly.

Magical. You can see the history in the rocks and hear the stories of the past from the locals. Beautiful area meant to be respected and cared for.

Really nice and quiet area

Great views, trails and beaches. Wear dependable shoes as the trails and dusty and steep.