Weekend Avila Beach Goers Wanting to Beat The Heat Need to Plan Ahead for Construction Detours
Jarrod Zinn
AVILA BEACH, Calif. – Many people have their eyes on our coast this weekend to beat the heat.
Businesses are hoping for an influx of customers at Avila Beach, but there’s some construction that people need to be aware of.
Highway 101’s interchange ramps at Avila Beach Drive and Shell Beach Road are closed for another month as part of the county’s plan to ease traffic congestion.
“It’s been a lighter week for sure,” says Jack Kesselring, Peloton Cellars’ tasting room attendant. “And as we get into the down season, I’m sure it’s going to become more and more impactful, just less of the locals coming up here, less people coming from out of town to visit. Now, that school started.”
A roundabout and a park-n-ride are in the works, causing detours to San Luis Bay Drive to the north or Spyglass Road to the south.
“It’s still wonderful down here,” says Kesselring. “It’s nice, right in the mid seventies where it’s always at. We get that nice little breeze that comes through, keep stuff cool. All of our buildings around here have A.C. as well.”
Local businesses remain open, and though they are feeling some impacts from the construction project, they look forward to a bustling weekend due to the higher temperatures.
“We like to come to Avila,” says Paxton Dahmer, who is visiting from Texas with his family to attend a wedding. “There’s just so much to do. Beyond that, you know, the chance to, to get out of the hustle and bustle of San Luis is always a good thing.”
The roundabout will be completed and open for use September 26th, and the second phase of the overall project, the park-n-ride, will be completed in January of 2026.
Locals say the detours are quite efficient and while it may look like they’re causing backups, it’s really only a couple extra minutes to your drive and Avila Beach will be cooler this weekend than communities further inland.
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