Why
I Love Avila Beach
Of
the many places I have visited in my life only a handful have built a lasting
impression on me. Perhaps it is the
special characteristics of such places that make them unique, or perhaps it is the
memories made and emotions that are felt that evoke a greater meaning than
other destinations are able to. In my
experience I have never visited a place that has become more special or meaningful
to me than Avila Beach in California.
I was in the third grade when we lived in Pismo Beach
thirty minutes away from Avila Beach. My parents’ busy schedules made a trip
into Avila a treat. Just the drive was
special. The narrow two lane road that leads into the small beach city rises
and curves its way through lush mountains, offering the opportunity for a
fleeting glimpse of a deer or rabbit. I always knew when we were half way there,
because the air becomes thick with the smell of sulfur from a hot spring a few
paces off the road. As a child, I welcomed the scent as an indicator of what
was to come just beyond the mountains.
By day, Avila is alive with foot traffic that crowds the
boardwalk-style street just off the sand.
Small shops are flooded with swimwear, surfing gear, trinkets, and
souvenirs. Street vendors selling hot dogs and shaved ice cones line the
sidewalk leading up to the pier. The beach is usually just as busy with
families picnicking, children building sand castles, and sun bathers soaking
the rays that shine bright, seemingly immune to the overcast that hangs above
the surrounding beaches. There is never a shortage of fun to be had, but it is
Avila at night that I am particularly fond of.
On summer evenings when the sun finally sets and the air
starts to cool, the beach crowd starts clearing out, and the street shops close.
The scents emanating from the many restaurants give way to the salty fragrance
of the sea, which becomes more apparent when a breeze drifts through. On a
lucky night everything is quiet except for the crashing sound of the waves.
Nights such as these are my favorite.
I
recall being young, maybe ten years old, and my parents pulling up and parking
near the old metal swing set that sits in the sand looking out into the water. It was a quiet, cool night. The wind blew
through my hair as I sailed through the sky on a creaking swing. The water was
black and lit only by a soft glow of moon light that illuminated the crest of
the waves as they rolled over themselves before drawing back in. I felt an
unbelievable peace and freedom that has never been duplicated by any other
place in my life.
As
an adult, I picture that moment on the swing when stress overwhelms me. Every time my family takes a trip to the
coast I drive them through the same mountains, past the sulfuric spring, and
straight down to the swing sets. My husband has come to appreciate Avila for
the fish and chips at a small beachfront restaurant. My children love splashing through the water
and making a game of jumping over every slit between the boards on the pier. I
have never met anyone who has been to Avila and not enjoyed the time spent
there. While my love for this beach stems from a special memory and the
feelings it evokes, I believe Avila Beach can appeal to everyone in some way.
I
never turn down the chance to drive into Avila. I love the excitement and the
way the community is alive with locals and tourist during the day. I long for the
solitude and fulfillment the evening air and rumbling waves offer. Many beaches
are alike, but for me, none can compare to Avila.
