Port San Luis Harbor

Port San Luis in Avila Beach has 4 options for fully-contained camping. No tents allowed. Fully contained RVs only. We stayed in the Woodyard site which does not have any amenities. This campground is really just a pull out along the road on the short cliff overlooking the bay. Spots are well-marked. Host is friendly. Views are tremendous. A little noisy from the road traffic on one side and the ocean on the other. But, easily walkable to the town of Avila Beach and to the working pier in the port. Also accessible to the Bob Jones bike trail. Golf course is a mile away.

The Port has one other dry site called Nobi Point. Sites with full hook-ups are available in another area closer to the pier. Also, full hook-ups for boat trailer camping.

Unfortunately, the Port Authority is building a new glamping campground on the hillside so these oceanfront sites will be going away soon.

We were on Nobi Point #6 for dry camping, gorgeous views, short walk to Beach, half hour walk to town. Nobi has 6 spaces, bigger rigs dwarfed our campervan, one rig’s generator fired up 7am. But campground staff is very good about addressing issues. There is some traffic noise and toilets/showers are about 7 minute walk from Nobi. Despite all that we enjoyed Nobi seems like #6 is only space open for months out, likely because it’s the smallest. Our van < 20 ft so was fine for us.

Sites are now reservable. Online reservations only. Until recently it was first come first served. Prices have gone up. $70 plus required $10 fee for sites with hookup. $50 plus $10 fee for dry camping. Restrooms and showers available at the harbor but nothing in the small campgrounds which are located along the road. Nice beach, fishing pier and a few restaurants in walking distance. While the location is great I think it is seriously overpriced for what you get: a very small spot jammed up against your neighbors.

My wife and I have been coming here for a couple of you. The last couple times we have stayed in the overflow and we noticed a trailer that has not moved. There is a 14 day maximum stay. This guy has been there all summer? We saw him last time. Anyway, His site is quite a mess. If they continue to allow full timers, we probably won’t return.

They've apparently raised their rates since the last review - dry camping is now a crazy $50/night, with full-hookups at $65. We were willing to fork it over since there's no other free camping sites around, and opted for boondocking so we could at least be literally next to the water, whereas the sites with hookups are across the street.

We were parallel parked along the road, near the entrance to the power plant, so traffic was heavy with workers coming and going seemingly all hours of the day and night, but really bad around 6:30-7 am and 4-4:30 pm. Next time, I would park further back toward the piers to avoid some of the noise.

Great cell service, water on-site to purchase for $0.25 (not sure if it's potable or what quantity you receive - the sign didn't say) and a little store and restaurant at the marina within walking distance, plus restrooms and showers there as well. Lots of dumpsters for trash.

The beach is completely dog friendly with some limitations on hours supposedly, but we never saw anyone enforcing it. A great place to launch kayaks or paddleboards. Nearby Avila Beach was adorable and easy biking distance, and Pismo Beach (about 10 minutes' drive) had some great options for food and drink, including lots of gluten free and veggie fare and a great little beer pub called The Boardroom.

We'd come back, but $50 is a bit steep for no services and a nice view, but with lots of traffic.