Cave Landing Beach

Cave Landing Beach is a hidden and hard-to-reach beach below Cave Landing in Avila Beach, California. Most of the visitors to Cave Landing will head down the main trail that leads to Pirates Cove Beach and the best-known cave (which is actually a tunnel). This man-made tunnel, which has many nicknames including Smugglers Cave, leads to a viewpoint that looks west toward Port San Luis and the three piers of Avila Beach. This viewpoint also looks down on a small beach that seems impossible to reach. Well it is challenging but there is a way down.

Back at the parking lot there is a trail just south of the main trail (closer to the ocean) that heads in the same direction as the main trail but then drops down toward the ocean shore. It leads to a spot where a fixed rope is usually in place to aid in descending a steep and exposed cliff. Without the rope this descent is not possible for those of us that are not technical climbers. If the rope is frail or if you are not comfortable with rappelling, then do not attempt the descent. Wearing shoes with good traction helps. Stay back from the cliffs as people have fallen to their deaths in the Pirates Cove area.

If the tide is low then it is possible to roam around the coves down there. To the east is the biggest beach (pebbly) which has a cave behind it. Around the bend to the west (toward Avila Beach) there is another fixed line that helps with a precarious ledge traverse. This route leads to another cave, a beautiful rock arch, and more exploration. All of this is not for the meek so don’t set your sights on this beach unless you are comfortable with climbing and scrambling. Check tide charts before you go and don’t go alone.

Address

Cave Landing Rd
Avila Beach, CA 93401

Other Names

Avila Sea Caves, Mallagh Landing, Lone Rock, Fossil Point

Owner

SLO County

Pet Details

Dogs not advised due to rope access (ok on leash on the trails along the bluff)

Fees

Free parking

Activities

Beach Exploration

Amenities

Sea Caves, Tunnel, Trails, Rock Arch

Links

Tide Tables
Water Temperature