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Pirate's Cove Beach, Avila Beach, CA

Photo: Sergei Gussev, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

Sport & OutdoorLocal GemOutdoor Adventure

Pirate's Cove Beach

Pirate's Cove Beach is an outdoor activity in Avila Beach, CA, part of the Central Coast guide. Cost: free.

Cave Landing Road · Avila Beach, CA

Why you should go…

Pirate's Cove Beach is a small cove along the Shell Beach Bluff Trail near Avila Beach in San Luis Obispo County, California. The trail runs from a trailhead at Cave Landing Road, passing Smuggler's Cave to the south and Pirate's Cove Beach in the middle, before reaching Bluff Drive in the Shell Beach neighborhood of Pismo Beach. Visitors access the beach on foot via the bluff-top coastal trail.

  • #beach
  • #hiking
  • #coastal
  • #views
  • #outdoor

What's around here?

The closest stops to Pirate's Cove Beach, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Sightseeing
    History Buff

    Point San Luis Lighthouse

    $25–$50

    A restored 1890 lighthouse above San Luis Obispo Bay, reached by guided van or kayak tour from Avila Beach.

    2.6 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Stay
    Date Night

    Inn at the Cove

    $50+

    Stay in an oceanfront room with a private patio or balcony above a secluded cove in the Shell Beach part of Pismo Beach.

    3.9 mi awaySwitch it up: Stay

  • Stay
    Family Favorite

    SeaCrest OceanFront Hotel

    $50+

    A Pismo Beach oceanfront hotel on Price Street with direct beach access, a heated pool and an on-site taphouse.

    4.6 mi awaySwitch it up: Stay

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Outdoor Adventure

    Margarita Adventures

    $50+

    A six line zipline canopy tour over Santa Margarita Ranch wine country with a suspension bridge crossing.

    16 mi awayMore like this

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Outdoor Adventure

    Santa Ynez Valley Horseback Rides

    $50+

    Guided horseback trail rides along the Santa Ynez River from a stable at River View Park in Buellton.

    49 mi awayMore like this

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Outdoor Adventure

    Highline Adventures

    $50+

    A zipline and aerial adventure park in the hills west of Buellton in the Santa Ynez Valley.

    51 mi awayMore like this

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