Ruth Ann Angus
Contact Ruth Ann. Be sure and visit me at Candidcow blog.
Fishing off the Harford Pier is Popular
Fishermen Clean a Lingcod at Cleaning Station on the Pier
Opportunistic Gulls Often Get to Feed on Fish Scraps
Port Harford Chandlery & Pub
Beautiful Kelp Floats in the Water Near the Pier
|
|
A Peer at a Pier
by Ruth Ann Angus
For a small town area Avila Beach has more than its share of ocean piers, but one in particular has played a major part in the development of the county.
The Historic Harford Pier at Port San Luis
Harford Pier, which sits at the end of the road in Avila, is a classic working pier. Other piers in California are pleasure piers geared to tourists. At Harford Pier commercial fishing still takes sway and on any given day you can watch a catch being unloaded from one of the Central Coast fishing vessels.
The pier, in what is called Port San Luis, was started by John Harford in the 1870s when he put up a wharf out into deep water at the point of land closest to Point San Luis Lighthouse.
The pier is 1,320 feet long, made of wooden planks. While you can drive down the pier, it is recommended that you walk to really experience the flavor of the pier. You can watch fish destined for market being off-loaded or see local fishermen clean their catch. California brown pelicans perch atop the railings and gulls flit around overhead and wait below in the water hoping for a handout of some scraps. Sea lions cavort in the waters and haul out where they can.
A view of Port San Luis and Avila
|
If fishing is your thing, sign up with Patriot Sportfishing right there on the pier for a half or whole day out on the ocean.
Rockfish are the Abundant Catch of the Day
At the end of the pier is Olde Port Inn restaurant that has occupied that spot since 1970. Over the years it has morphed into something special serving great food that emphasizes both the commercial and sport fishing industry.
Next, stop in nearby the pier at Port Harford Chandlery & Pub and say hello to owners Dottie Kreowski and her son Kevin. Here’s a great place to enjoy a selection of one of the 25 brews offered by the pub and served in iced Mason jars. You can enjoy this or try one of the fine local or international wines. Pay particular attention to the bar that was handcrafted by Kevin from a Monterey Cypress he planted in 1976. Sit a spell and play a game of Chinese Checkers while Kevin tells you about the history of Harford Pier.
"The Chumash referred to Avila as the hole in the sky," Kevin says, "because by midday the fog will break showing a round space of sky letting the sun break through," This tale and stories about the scenes in the historic black and white photos that line the walls will tell you much about the evolution of the pier and the creation of Port San Luis.
Sea Lions Lounge on Any Available Place to Haul Out.
Dottie runs The Alcove, a gift and retail store that shares the name with her shop in Shell Beach. You will find art work, gifts reflecting the area, and a vast assortment of toys. Outside are picnic tables and a set of large chess figures if you fancy trying to win a game.
The building also houses SLO Coast Kayaks where you can sign up for a fully guided ocean kayak tour or try a pastry from Utopia Bakery in San Luis Obispo that is available with a hot cup of Joe at Portside Coffee.
So pass by town, pass by the beach, and drive all the way to the end of the road to Port San Luis and experience something different at Harford Pier.
|
