Avila Beach, California: Difference between revisions
m →Demographics: replaced: individuals → individuals,, spread out → spread out, |
GreenC bot (talk | contribs) Move 1 url. Wayback Medic 2.5 per WP:URLREQ#articles.latimes.com |
||
(23 intermediate revisions by 16 users not shown) | |||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}} |
|||
{{Infobox settlement |
{{Infobox settlement |
||
|name = Avila Beach |
|name = Avila Beach, California |
||
⚫ | |||
|official_name = |
|||
⚫ | |||
|nickname = |
|nickname = |
||
|motto = |
|motto = |
||
Line 8: | Line 8: | ||
<!-- Images --> |
<!-- Images --> |
||
|image_skyline = Avila Beach 10-12-07.jpg |
|image_skyline = Avila Beach 10-12-07.jpg |
||
|imagesize = 300px |
|||
|image_caption = Avila Beach, with [[Point San Luis]] at left |
|image_caption = Avila Beach, with [[Point San Luis]] at left |
||
|image_flag = |
|image_flag = |
||
Line 14: | Line 13: | ||
<!-- Maps --> |
<!-- Maps --> |
||
|pushpin_map = USA California |
|pushpin_map = USA California#USA |
||
|pushpin_label_position = <!-- the position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none --> |
|pushpin_label_position = <!-- the position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none --> |
||
|pushpin_map_caption = Location within the state of California |
|pushpin_map_caption = Location within the state of California |
||
|pushpin_mapsize = |
|||
|image_map = File:San Luis Obispo County California Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Avila Beach Highlighted 0603330.svg |
|image_map = File:San Luis Obispo County California Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Avila Beach Highlighted 0603330.svg |
||
|map_caption = Location of Avila Beach in San Luis Obispo County, California. |
|map_caption = Location of Avila Beach in San Luis Obispo County, California. |
||
|image_map1 = |
|image_map1 = |
||
|mapsize1 = |
|||
|map_caption1 = |
|map_caption1 = |
||
Line 31: | Line 28: | ||
|subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in California|County]] |
|subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in California|County]] |
||
|subdivision_name2 = [[San Luis Obispo County, California|San Luis Obispo]] |
|subdivision_name2 = [[San Luis Obispo County, California|San Luis Obispo]] |
||
|government_footnotes = |
|government_footnotes = |
||
|government_type = |
|government_type = |
||
Line 41: | Line 39: | ||
<!-- Area------------------> |
<!-- Area------------------> |
||
|area_magnitude = |
|||
| unit_pref = Imperial |
| unit_pref = Imperial |
||
| area_footnotes = <ref name=" |
| area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_06.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 30, 2021}}</ref> |
||
| area_total_sq_mi = 6. |
| area_total_sq_mi = 6.31 |
||
| area_land_sq_mi = 6. |
| area_land_sq_mi = 6.09 |
||
| area_water_sq_mi = 0.22 |
| area_water_sq_mi = 0.22 |
||
| area_total_km2 = 16. |
| area_total_km2 = 16.34 |
||
| area_land_km2 = 15. |
| area_land_km2 = 15.77 |
||
| area_water_km2 = 0.58 |
| area_water_km2 = 0.58 |
||
| area_water_percent = 0.29 |
| area_water_percent = 0.29 |
||
Line 54: | Line 51: | ||
<!-- Population --> |
<!-- Population --> |
||
|population_as_of = [[ |
|population_as_of = [[2020 United States Census|2020]] |
||
|population_footnotes = |
|population_footnotes = |
||
|population_total = |
|population_total = 1576 |
||
|population_density_km2 = |
|population_density_km2 = 99.96 |
||
<!-- General information --> |
<!-- General information --> |
||
Line 77: | Line 74: | ||
|blank1_info = 2582937 |
|blank1_info = 2582937 |
||
|website = |
|website = |
||
⚫ | |||
|footnotes = |
|||
|pop_est_footnotes = |
|||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
|pop_est_footnotes = <ref name="USCensusEst2016">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.2016.html|title=Population and Housing Unit Estimates|accessdate=June 9, 2017}}</ref> |
|||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
}} |
}} |
||
[[File:Avila Beach Sunset.jpg|thumb|upright|Sunset over Avila Beach, May 2010]] |
[[File:Avila Beach Sunset.jpg|thumb|upright|Sunset over Avila Beach, May 2010]] |
||
[[File:Diablo Canyon Power Plant from Port San Luis.jpg|thumb|[[Diablo Canyon Power Plant]] near Port San Luis]] |
[[File:Diablo Canyon Power Plant from Port San Luis.jpg|thumb|[[Diablo Canyon Power Plant]] near Port San Luis]] |
||
[[File:San Luis brochure.tiff|thumb|Brochure for San Luis Hot Springs (now |
[[File:San Luis brochure.tiff|thumb|Brochure for San Luis Hot Springs (now [[Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort]]),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grimm |first=Michele |last2=Grimm |first2=Tom |date=1990-05-27 |title=Soak Up Your Cares at Springs |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-05-27-tr-53-story.html |access-date=2024-06-13 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> circa 1915|upright]] |
||
'''Avila Beach''' |
'''Avila Beach''' ([[Spanish language|Spanish]]: ''Ávila'') is an unincorporated community in [[San Luis Obispo County, California|San Luis Obispo County]], [[California]], United States,<ref name=gnis2/> located on [[San Luis Obispo Bay]]<ref>{{gnis|248899|San Luis Obispo Bay}}</ref> about 160 miles (257 km) northwest of [[Los Angeles]], and about {{convert|200 |miles|km}} south of [[San Francisco]]. The population was 1,576 at the 2010 census. For statistical purposes, the [[United States Census Bureau]] has defined Avila Beach as a [[census-designated place]] (CDP).<ref name=gnis/> |
||
==History== |
==History== |
||
The name Avila commemorates Miguel Ávila, who was granted [[Rancho San Miguelito]] in 1842.<ref name=gnis2>{{gnis|255343|Avilla Beach Populated Place}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last= Durham |first= David L. |title= Durham's place names of California's Central Coast: includes Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, San Benito, Monterey & Santa Cruz counties |publisher= Quill Driver Books |year= 2000 |isbn= 978-1-884995-29-3 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=2BgEOqh-zzwC |page= 11}}</ref> The town was established in the latter half of the 19th century, when it served as the main shipping port for [[San Luis Obispo]]. Around this time, Luigi Marre built a honeymoon hotel here and steamboats brought customers from San Francisco and Los Angeles.<ref>David W. Kean, ''Wide Places in the California Roads: The encyclopedia of California's small towns and the roads that lead to them'' (Volume 1 of 4: Southern California Counties), p. 19</ref> |
The name Avila commemorates Miguel Ávila, who was granted [[Rancho San Miguelito]] in 1842.<ref name=gnis2>{{gnis|255343|Avilla Beach Populated Place}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last= Durham |first= David L. |title= Durham's place names of California's Central Coast: includes Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, San Benito, Monterey & Santa Cruz counties |publisher= Quill Driver Books |year= 2000 |isbn= 978-1-884995-29-3 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=2BgEOqh-zzwC |page= 11}}</ref> The town was established in the latter half of the 19th century, when it served as the main shipping port for [[San Luis Obispo]]. Around this time, Luigi Marre built a honeymoon hotel here and steamboats brought customers from San Francisco and Los Angeles.<ref>David W. Kean, ''Wide Places in the California Roads: The encyclopedia of California's small towns and the roads that lead to them'' (Volume 1 of 4: Southern California Counties), p. 19</ref> |
||
Although Avila Beach still has a working commercial fishing pier and the inland areas have extensive apple orchards, tourism is now the main industry. There are few historical structures remaining; among the oldest is the [[Point San Luis Light]], built in 1890 after a series of shipping accidents. |
Although Avila Beach still has a working commercial fishing pier and the inland areas have extensive apple orchards, tourism is now the main industry. There are few historical structures remaining; among the oldest is the [[Point San Luis Light]], built in 1890 after a series of shipping accidents. [[California during World War II|During World War II]] the beach and port were used for the [[Amphibious Training Base Morro Bay]].<ref>[http://militarymuseum.org/ATBMorroBay.html Amphibious Training Base Morro Bay]</ref> |
||
In the late 1990s, [[Unocal]] began the cleanup of decades old oil seepage discovered years earlier from corroding pipes under the township, and which had caused a massive [[oil spill]] under the town.<ref>{{cite news|url= |
In the late 1990s, [[Unocal]] began the cleanup of decades old oil seepage discovered years earlier from corroding pipes under the township, and which had caused a massive [[oil spill]] under the town.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-09-28-mn-44025-story.html|title=A Long-Buried Oil Spill Casts Beach Town Adrift : Pollution: Unocal is removing tainted soil from Avila Beach, but business district may go with it.| work= [[Los Angeles Times]]| first=Richard C. |last= Paddock|date=September 28, 1994}}</ref> Over 6,750 truckloads of contaminated material was sent to a [[Bakersfield, California|Bakersfield]] landfill, and replaced with clean Guadalupe Dunes sand.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Unocal-to-Tear-Down-Toxic-Town-and-Rebuild-It-3003759.php|title=Unocal to Tear Down Toxic Town -- and Rebuild It|work=[[SFGate]]| date= June 8, 1988|first=Glen |last= Martin}}</ref> Many of the town's homes and businesses, including several blocks of Front Street, were razed as a result of the quarter-mile-wide excavation. New buildings, homes, businesses, modern walkways and sea motif walls and benches have been constructed.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sacbee.com/entertainment/living/travel/article2602850.html |title=Avila Beach remakes itself, from disaster to destination|work=[[Sacramento Bee]] |date=July 6, 2014|first=Sam |last=McManis }}</ref> |
||
==Geography== |
==Geography== |
||
The beach is less than 0.5 miles (0.8 km) long and sheltered in San Luis Bay, which is formed by Point San Luis on the west and Fossil Point on the east. Avila Beach faces south and the 600 foot elevation of Point San Luis breaks the prevailing northwesterly winds. It is therefore usually warmer than the other [[beach]]es on the [[Central Coast of California|Central Coast]]. Most of Avila Beach is undeveloped, except for a few blocks adjacent to the beach with homes, hotels, and small businesses, and a few upscale housing developments inland near a golf course. Avila Beach is also known for its [[hot spring]]s, which are used for resort [[hot tub|spas]]. |
The beach is less than 0.5 miles (0.8 km) long and sheltered in San Luis Bay, which is formed by Point San Luis on the west and Fossil Point on the east. Avila Beach faces south and the 600 foot elevation of Point San Luis breaks the prevailing northwesterly winds. It is therefore usually warmer than the other [[beach]]es on the [[Central Coast of California|Central Coast]]. Most of Avila Beach is undeveloped, except for a few blocks adjacent to the beach with homes, hotels, and small businesses, and a few upscale housing developments inland near a golf course. Avila Beach is also known for its [[hot spring]]s, which are used for resort [[hot tub|spas]]. |
||
[[U.S. Route 101 in California|U.S. Route 101]] and [[California State Route 1|State Highway 1]] bypass this part of the coastline to the east in favor of a more direct route from [[Pismo Beach, California|Pismo Beach]] north to [[San Luis Obispo, California|San Luis Obispo]]. |
|||
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the CDP covers an area of 6.0 square miles (15.6 km<sup>2</sup>), 99.71% of it land, and 0.29% of it water. |
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the CDP covers an area of 6.0 square miles (15.6 km<sup>2</sup>), 99.71% of it land, and 0.29% of it water. |
||
== Climate == |
=== Climate === |
||
Average temperatures vary little during the year, ranging from {{convert|47|-|49|F}} to {{convert|70|-|72|F}} from November through April, and from {{convert|60|-|69|F}} to {{convert|80|-|82|F}} from May through October. Average annual rainfall is {{convert|15|in}}. Along with much of the California coast, winter is the wet season, with more than 70% of the yearly rain falling from December through March, while summer brings drought conditions. |
Average temperatures vary little during the year, ranging from {{convert|47|-|49|F}} to {{convert|70|-|72|F}} from November through April, and from {{convert|60|-|69|F}} to {{convert|80|-|82|F}} from May through October. Average annual rainfall is {{convert|15|in}}. Along with much of the California coast, winter is the wet season, with more than 70% of the yearly rain falling from December through March, while summer brings drought conditions. |
||
==Demographics== |
==Demographics== |
||
{{US Census population |
{{US Census population |
||
|2010= 1627 |
|||
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|accessdate=June 4, 2016}}</ref> |
|||
|2020= 1576 |
|||
|align-fn=center |
|||
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade.html|title=Decennial Census by Decade|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=}}</ref><br>1850–1870<ref name=1870CensusCA1>{{Cite web|title= 1870 Census of Population - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties - California - Almeda County to Sutter County |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1870/population/1870a-12.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref><ref name=1870CensusCA2>{{Cite web|title= 1870 Census of Population - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties - California - Tehama County to Yuba County |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1870/population/1870a-13.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1880-1890<ref name=1890CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1890 Census of Population - Population of California by Minor Civil Divisions |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1890/bulletins/demographics/134-population-of-ca.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref><br> 1900<ref name=1900CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1900 Census of Population - Population of California by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1900/bulletins/demographic/10-population-ca.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1910<ref name=1910CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1910 Census of Population - Supplement for California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1910/abstract/supplement-ca.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1920<ref name=1920CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1920 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1920/bulletins/demographics/population-ca-number-of-inhabitants.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref><br> 1930<ref name=1930CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1930 Census of Population - Number and Distribution of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1930/population-volume-1/03815512v1ch03.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1940<ref name=1940CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1940 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1940/population-volume-1/33973538v1ch03.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1950<ref name=1950CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1950 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1950/population-volume-1/vol-01-08.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref><br> 1960<ref name=1960CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1960 Census of Population - General population Characteristics - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1960/population-volume-1/vol-01-06-d.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1970<ref name=1970CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1970 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1970a_ca1-01.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1980<ref name=1980CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1980a_caAB-01.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref><br> 1990<ref name=1990CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1990 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/cen1990/cph2/cph-2-6.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> |
|||
2000<ref name=2000CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/2003/dec/phc-3-6.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 2010<ref name=2010CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 2010 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/2010/cph-2/cph-2-6.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> |
|||
}} |
}} |
||
The [[2010 United States Census]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0603330|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140715032732/http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0603330|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 15, 2014|title=2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Avilla Beach CDP|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| |
The [[2010 United States Census]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0603330|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140715032732/http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0603330|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 15, 2014|title=2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Avilla Beach CDP|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=July 12, 2014}}</ref> reported that Avila Beach had a population of 1,627. The population density was {{convert|269.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of Avila Beach was 1,507 (92.6%) [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 13 (0.8%) [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 7 (0.4%) [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 33 (2.0%) [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0 (0.0%) [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 34 (2.1%) from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 33 (2.0%) from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 111 persons (6.8%). |
||
The Census reported that 1,627 people (100% of the population) lived in households, 0 (0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized. |
The Census reported that 1,627 people (100% of the population) lived in households, 0 (0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized. |
||
Line 117: | Line 117: | ||
The population was spread out, with 183 people (11.2%) under the age of 18, 74 people (4.5%) aged 18 to 24, 263 people (16.2%) aged 25 to 44, 597 people (36.7%) aged 45 to 64, and 510 people (31.3%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 56.9 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.0 males. |
The population was spread out, with 183 people (11.2%) under the age of 18, 74 people (4.5%) aged 18 to 24, 263 people (16.2%) aged 25 to 44, 597 people (36.7%) aged 45 to 64, and 510 people (31.3%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 56.9 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.0 males. |
||
There were 1,093 housing units at an average density of 181.3 |
There were 1,093 housing units at an average density of {{convert|181.3|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}, of which 529 (62.8%) were owner-occupied, and 313 (37.2%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.1%; the rental vacancy rate was 7.4%. 1,074 people (66.0% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 553 people (34.0%) lived in rental housing units. |
||
==Economy== |
|||
==Points of interest== |
|||
[[File:My Whale Captures (7846805436).jpg|thumb|Humpback whales are becoming features for local tourism.]] |
[[File:My Whale Captures (7846805436).jpg|thumb|Humpback whales are becoming features for local tourism.]] |
||
Avila Beach |
Avila Beach and adjacent [[Port San Luis]] have three piers: Avila Beach Pier, {{convert|1,685|ft|m}} in length, is open to tourist strolling and recreational [[fishing]];<ref>{{cite web | url=http://portsanluis.com/2236/Avila-Pier | title=Avila Pier Closed | access-date=September 16, 2016}}</ref> Harford Pier, which is for commercial fishing boats to offload their wares since 1873;<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.worldportsource.com/ports/USA_CA_Port_San_Luis_Harbor_1581.php | title=World Port Source - Port San Luis Harbor | access-date=July 15, 2012}}</ref> and the [[California Polytechnic State University]] (Cal Poly SLO) Pier, part of the university's marine research program, is not publicly accessible. |
||
The pier has become a site for [[whale watching]] as numbers of [[grey whale|grays]] and [[humpback whale]]s come into bays around the pier to feed and draw crowds during the seasons.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ksby.com/story/29353053/people-flock-from-all-over-to-check-out-whales-in-avila-beach|title=People flock from all over to check out whales in Avila Beach|first=Kathrene|last=Herndon|date=June 18, 2015|work=[[KSBY]]|access-date=November 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151013112025/http://www.ksby.com/story/29353053/people-flock-from-all-over-to-check-out-whales-in-avila-beach|archive-date=October 13, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
|||
[[Diablo Canyon Power Plant]], the last remaining [[nuclear power]] plant in California, is located in a remote |
[[Diablo Canyon Power Plant]], the last remaining [[nuclear power]] plant in California, is located in a remote area, about {{convert|6|mi}} northwest of the beach..<ref>{{Cite news|last=Gardner|first=Timothy|date=2021-11-09|title=Saving nuclear plant could help California hit climate goals -report|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/saving-nuclear-plant-could-help-california-hit-climate-goals-report-2021-11-08/|access-date=2021-11-10}}</ref><ref>{{Cite Q|Q114357328|access-date=2022-10-03}}</ref> |
||
==In popular culture== |
|||
The Avila Beach Pier was featured in a [[Super Bowl XLIV|Super Bowl]] advertisement on February 7, 2010.{{citation needed|date=June 2014}} |
|||
The Avila Beach Pier was featured in a [[Super Bowl XLIV|Super Bowl]] advertisement on February 7, 2010.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2010-02-07|title=Behind the Scenes of Bridgestone's Super Bowl Spots|url=https://adage.com/article/special-report-super-bowl-2010/marketing-scenes-bridgestone-s-super-bowl-ads/141968|access-date=2021-11-10|website=Ad Age|language=en}}</ref> |
|||
Avila Beach was the primary shooting location for the 1979 film ''[[California Dreaming (1979 film)|California Dreaming]]'', which starred [[Dennis Christopher]], [[Glynnis O'Connor]], and [[Seymour Cassel]].{{ |
Avila Beach was the primary shooting location for the 1979 film ''[[California Dreaming (1979 film)|California Dreaming]]'', which starred [[Dennis Christopher]], [[Glynnis O'Connor]], and [[Seymour Cassel]].<ref>{{Cite web|author=Staff report|title=Film series to feature movies made in SLO County|url=https://santamariatimes.com/news/local/film-series-to-feature-movies-made-in-slo-county/article_49594992-03df-11e3-8fd9-001a4bcf887a.html|access-date=2021-11-10|website=Santa Maria Times|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Weltner|first=Anna|title=SLOIFF screens films shot in SLO County|url=https://www.newtimesslo.com/sanluisobispo/sloiff-screens-films-shot-in-slo-county/Content?oid=2946694|access-date=2021-11-10|website=New Times San Luis Obispo|language=en}}</ref> |
||
==Gallery== |
==Gallery== |
||
Line 149: | Line 150: | ||
== External links == |
== External links == |
||
{{ |
{{Commons category|Avila Beach, California}} |
||
{{Wikivoyage|Avila Beach}} |
{{Wikivoyage|Avila Beach}} |
||
*[https://www.avilabeachcsd.org Avila Beach Community Services District] |
*[https://www.avilabeachcsd.org Avila Beach Community Services District] |
||
Line 157: | Line 158: | ||
{{San Luis Obispo County, California}} |
{{San Luis Obispo County, California}} |
||
{{authority control}} |
{{authority control}} |
||
Latest revision as of 22:53, 14 August 2024
Avila Beach, California | |
---|---|
![]() Avila Beach, with Point San Luis at left | |
![]() Location of Avila Beach in San Luis Obispo County, California. | |
Coordinates: 35°11′57″N 120°43′15″W / 35.19917°N 120.72083°W | |
Land | ![]() |
State | ![]() |
County | San Luis Obispo |
Area | |
• Total | 6.31 sq mi (16.34 km2) |
• Land | 6.09 sq mi (15.77 km2) |
• Water | 0.22 sq mi (0.58 km2) 0.29% |
Elevation | 430 ft (130 m) |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 1,576 |
• Density | 258.91/sq mi (99.96/km2) |
Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
ZIP codes | 93424 |
Area code | 805 |
FIPS code | 06-03330 |
GNIS feature ID | 2582937 |
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9f/Avila_Beach_Sunset.jpg/170px-Avila_Beach_Sunset.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/42/Diablo_Canyon_Power_Plant_from_Port_San_Luis.jpg/220px-Diablo_Canyon_Power_Plant_from_Port_San_Luis.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a9/San_Luis_brochure.tiff/lossless-page1-170px-San_Luis_brochure.tiff.png)
Avila Beach (Spanish: Ávila) is an unincorporated community in San Luis Obispo County, California, United States,[4] located on San Luis Obispo Bay[5] about 160 miles (257 km) northwest of Los Angeles, and about 200 miles (320 km) south of San Francisco. The population was 1,576 at the 2010 census. For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau has defined Avila Beach as a census-designated place (CDP).[2]
History
[edit]The name Avila commemorates Miguel Ávila, who was granted Rancho San Miguelito in 1842.[4][6] The town was established in the latter half of the 19th century, when it served as the main shipping port for San Luis Obispo. Around this time, Luigi Marre built a honeymoon hotel here and steamboats brought customers from San Francisco and Los Angeles.[7]
Although Avila Beach still has a working commercial fishing pier and the inland areas have extensive apple orchards, tourism is now the main industry. There are few historical structures remaining; among the oldest is the Point San Luis Light, built in 1890 after a series of shipping accidents. During World War II the beach and port were used for the Amphibious Training Base Morro Bay.[8]
In the late 1990s, Unocal began the cleanup of decades old oil seepage discovered years earlier from corroding pipes under the township, and which had caused a massive oil spill under the town.[9] Over 6,750 truckloads of contaminated material was sent to a Bakersfield landfill, and replaced with clean Guadalupe Dunes sand.[10] Many of the town's homes and businesses, including several blocks of Front Street, were razed as a result of the quarter-mile-wide excavation. New buildings, homes, businesses, modern walkways and sea motif walls and benches have been constructed.[11]
Geography
[edit]The beach is less than 0.5 miles (0.8 km) long and sheltered in San Luis Bay, which is formed by Point San Luis on the west and Fossil Point on the east. Avila Beach faces south and the 600 foot elevation of Point San Luis breaks the prevailing northwesterly winds. It is therefore usually warmer than the other beaches on the Central Coast. Most of Avila Beach is undeveloped, except for a few blocks adjacent to the beach with homes, hotels, and small businesses, and a few upscale housing developments inland near a golf course. Avila Beach is also known for its hot springs, which are used for resort spas.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP covers an area of 6.0 square miles (15.6 km2), 99.71% of it land, and 0.29% of it water.
Climate
[edit]Average temperatures vary little during the year, ranging from 47–49 °F (8–9 °C) to 70–72 °F (21–22 °C) from November through April, and from 60–69 °F (16–21 °C) to 80–82 °F (27–28 °C) from May through October. Average annual rainfall is 15 inches (380 mm). Along with much of the California coast, winter is the wet season, with more than 70% of the yearly rain falling from December through March, while summer brings drought conditions.
Demographics
[edit]Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
2010 | 1,627 | — | |
2020 | 1,576 | −3.1% | |
U.S. Decennial Census[12] 1850–1870[13][14] 1880-1890[15] 1900[16] 1910[17] 1920[18] 1930[19] 1940[20] 1950[21] 1960[22] 1970[23] 1980[24] 1990[25] 2000[26] 2010[27] |
The 2010 United States Census[28] reported that Avila Beach had a population of 1,627. The population density was 269.9 inhabitants per square mile (104.2/km2). The racial makeup of Avila Beach was 1,507 (92.6%) White, 13 (0.8%) African American, 7 (0.4%) Native American, 33 (2.0%) Asian, 0 (0.0%) Pacific Islander, 34 (2.1%) from other races, and 33 (2.0%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 111 persons (6.8%).
The Census reported that 1,627 people (100% of the population) lived in households, 0 (0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.
There were 842 households, out of which 115 (13.7%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 416 (49.4%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 39 (4.6%) had a female householder with no husband present, 16 (1.9%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 36 (4.3%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 14 (1.7%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 296 households (35.2%) were made up of individuals, and 108 (12.8%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.93. There were 471 families (55.9% of all households); the average family size was 2.45.
The population was spread out, with 183 people (11.2%) under the age of 18, 74 people (4.5%) aged 18 to 24, 263 people (16.2%) aged 25 to 44, 597 people (36.7%) aged 45 to 64, and 510 people (31.3%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 56.9 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.0 males.
There were 1,093 housing units at an average density of 181.3 per square mile (70.0/km2), of which 529 (62.8%) were owner-occupied, and 313 (37.2%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.1%; the rental vacancy rate was 7.4%. 1,074 people (66.0% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 553 people (34.0%) lived in rental housing units.
Economy
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/25/My_Whale_Captures_%287846805436%29.jpg/220px-My_Whale_Captures_%287846805436%29.jpg)
Avila Beach and adjacent Port San Luis have three piers: Avila Beach Pier, 1,685 feet (514 m) in length, is open to tourist strolling and recreational fishing;[29] Harford Pier, which is for commercial fishing boats to offload their wares since 1873;[30] and the California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly SLO) Pier, part of the university's marine research program, is not publicly accessible.
The pier has become a site for whale watching as numbers of grays and humpback whales come into bays around the pier to feed and draw crowds during the seasons.[31]
Diablo Canyon Power Plant, the last remaining nuclear power plant in California, is located in a remote area, about 6 miles (9.7 km) northwest of the beach..[32][33]
In popular culture
[edit]The Avila Beach Pier was featured in a Super Bowl advertisement on February 7, 2010.[34]
Avila Beach was the primary shooting location for the 1979 film California Dreaming, which starred Dennis Christopher, Glynnis O'Connor, and Seymour Cassel.[35][36]
Gallery
[edit]-
Port San Luis Pier. The pier also has a live fish market and harbor patrol office.
-
Avila Beach and its piers.
-
See Canyon in Avila Beach, with apple orchards visible in the distance.
-
Avila Beach and Harford Pier, late 19th century. Point San Luis and Whaler's Island are visible in the near distance.
-
Humpback whale lunge feeding off Avila Beach, 2012
-
Diablo Canyon Power Plant
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
- ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Avilla Beach Census Designated Place
- ^ Grimm, Michele; Grimm, Tom (May 27, 1990). "Soak Up Your Cares at Springs". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
- ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Avilla Beach Populated Place
- ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: San Luis Obispo Bay
- ^ Durham, David L. (2000). Durham's place names of California's Central Coast: includes Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, San Benito, Monterey & Santa Cruz counties. Quill Driver Books. p. 11. ISBN 978-1-884995-29-3.
- ^ David W. Kean, Wide Places in the California Roads: The encyclopedia of California's small towns and the roads that lead to them (Volume 1 of 4: Southern California Counties), p. 19
- ^ Amphibious Training Base Morro Bay
- ^ Paddock, Richard C. (September 28, 1994). "A Long-Buried Oil Spill Casts Beach Town Adrift : Pollution: Unocal is removing tainted soil from Avila Beach, but business district may go with it". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ Martin, Glen (June 8, 1988). "Unocal to Tear Down Toxic Town -- and Rebuild It". SFGate.
- ^ McManis, Sam (July 6, 2014). "Avila Beach remakes itself, from disaster to destination". Sacramento Bee.
- ^ "Decennial Census by Decade". United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "1870 Census of Population - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties - California - Almeda County to Sutter County" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "1870 Census of Population - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties - California - Tehama County to Yuba County" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "1890 Census of Population - Population of California by Minor Civil Divisions" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "1900 Census of Population - Population of California by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "1910 Census of Population - Supplement for California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "1920 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "1930 Census of Population - Number and Distribution of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "1940 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "1950 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "1960 Census of Population - General population Characteristics - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "1970 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "1990 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "2010 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Avilla Beach CDP". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
- ^ "Avila Pier Closed". Retrieved September 16, 2016.
- ^ "World Port Source - Port San Luis Harbor". Retrieved July 15, 2012.
- ^ Herndon, Kathrene (June 18, 2015). "People flock from all over to check out whales in Avila Beach". KSBY. Archived from the original on October 13, 2015. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
- ^ Gardner, Timothy (November 9, 2021). "Saving nuclear plant could help California hit climate goals -report". Reuters. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
- ^ Katherine Blunt (October 16, 2021). "California Scrambles to Find Electricity to Offset Plant Closures". The Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Wikidata Q114357328. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
- ^ "Behind the Scenes of Bridgestone's Super Bowl Spots". Ad Age. February 7, 2010. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
- ^ Staff report. "Film series to feature movies made in SLO County". Santa Maria Times. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
- ^ Weltner, Anna. "SLOIFF screens films shot in SLO County". New Times San Luis Obispo. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
External links
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dd/Wikivoyage-Logo-v3-icon.svg/40px-Wikivoyage-Logo-v3-icon.svg.png)
- Avila Beach Community Services District
- Port San Luis Harbor
- The Point San Luis Lighthouse Point San Luis Lighthouse Keepers
- Central Coast Aquarium - Avila Beach