The Seven Mile Walk

We were staying at our time share, the San Luis Bay Inn in Avila California when I decided to take the walk, a seven mile loop around the resort winding through the hills and cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Little did I know then, the ground on which we would tread, would have special meaning.

This sprawling structure, the San Luis Bay Inn was converted from a modest hotel built in the 1950's to a time share. It is located high on a hill and can be seen for miles as a landmark of the tiny town of Avila. It is endearingly called the Pink Palace, due to its' salmon colored stucco facade. The small town of Avila is nestled in the secluded San Luis Bay in the Pacific Ocean. It is located five miles north of the famed Pismo Beach area and consists of only a one mile stretch of curved beach surrounded by steep hills. Several huge boulders jut out into the water. Only a few homes can be seen scattered in the hills.

In 1999, Unocol was ordered to clean up massive spillages from leaking oil tanks that were hidden in the surrounding hills. They removed a huge amount of contaminated beach after which new sand was brought in by trucks like ants marching to a new nest. Now the town has been restored to its original beauty and once again it is thriving. The miniature yacht club building that was located on the pier and the quaint country store on Front Street, were removed from their sites and returned after all the work was done.

We come to this unique and picturesque area twice a year to golf and enjoy the refreshing ocean breezes that blow in from the beach down below. There are panoramic views of the entire town from the picture windows. There are dozens of yachts anchored out in the bay with a water taxi the only way to deliver their crew.

The resort organizes many events, and the walk was one. Our guide, a young student from Cal-Poly in San Luis Obispo, Ca. would be leading us today. Before taking the walk, I found a booklet in the lobby with some history of the area. Avila was the original pier where goods were loaded off of ships and loaded into horsedrawn wagons for the five mile trip to San Luis Obispo. I found out it was not only a thriving fish port, but also home to the Chumash (pronouced Shoe-mash)Indian tribe, more than one hundred years ago. They lived, hunted and fished in the area. Avila Beach was established in 1867.

Early on the morning of the walk, a dozen or so of the guests gathered in the lobby,

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