Avila Beach Golf Resort
Avila Beach Golf Resort offers an 18-hole public course blending coastal panoramas with canyon terrain. While maintenance varies, the natural setting and strategic layout provide a compelling experience for players willing to embrace its rugged charm.
Course Overview
Positioned along California’s scenic Central Coast, Avila Beach Golf Resort offers an 18-hole public course set amid a unique coastal and canyon landscape. Although the course is currently a work in progress with maintenance challenges, it still presents an engaging experience for golfers seeking a blend of natural beauty and diverse shot-making opportunities. Stretching across terrain where coastal breezes mingle with canyon walls, the layout demands strategic navigation rather than brute force.
The routing takes players through fluctuating conditions, beginning with holes that wind through lush, bird-rich enclaves where sightings of bald eagles and herons are common. These early holes favor precision as fairways narrow and patches of rough grow tall. Closer to the ocean, the course opens up, rewarding thoughtful club selection and course management, especially on holes with elevated greens and bunkers serving as guardians. The 10th hole stands out with a view that frames the nearby beach, offering a rare combination of sea air and green challenge.
While the course's natural setting is undeniably captivating, golfers should expect uneven playing surfaces, especially on greens and some fairways, where the turf can be patchy in places. Sand bunkers often run hard and hold weeds, lending an additional element of difficulty. Cart paths are somewhat rough, so players planning to ride should prepare for a bumpy journey, while those walking will find soft terrain but should wear sturdy shoes due to occasional muddy patches.
Avila Beach Golf Resort is accessible to all skill levels but may especially appeal to players who enjoy a walk in varied terrain and are comfortable adapting to course conditions that emphasize shot creativity. The clubhouse serves as a casual hub, with Mulligans Bar and Grill offering hearty breakfasts and refreshments after play.
To make the most of a visit, golfers are advised to bring their patience along with their clubs. While course upkeep is a work in progress, the setting remains a compelling reason to explore this coastal-golf destination. Its wildlife, combined with the proximity to both canyon and sea, ensures a round filled with memorable visuals even when the course demands resilience.
Course Highlights
Holes that transition from lush bird habitats to open coastal breezes, the ocean-view 10th hole offering a unique seaside backdrop, a course framed by canyon walls and bird rookeries, bunkers characterized by firm sand with natural weeds, and a layout that tests precision with narrow fairways and subtle elevation changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Guest Reviews
Jacob Bowers
Played last weekend. The course is getting in better shape. Cart girl Jackie was awesome. Super nice and made really great drinks. Made it back around to us pretty quick.
Frank Lovero
Lots of dead areas. Green were good.
David
Place has a lot of potential, has gone downhill in quality a lot, a large portion of the greens are messed up in terms of quality. Some have craters, others look like a minefield. The fairways need major work, mainly more water, it's a dry cow pasture out there. People drive up to the greens here and worsen the conditions. A lot of people don't fix their ball marks
David
Place has a lot of potential, has gone downhill in quality a lot, a large portion of the greens are messed up in terms of quality. Some have craters, others look like a minefield. The fairways need major work, mainly more water, it's a dry cow pasture out there. People drive up to the greens here and worsen the conditions. A lot of people don't fix their ball marks
Ruben Duran
Came to play 18 with some friends, drove 2 1/2 hrs from Visalia and it was the best decision we made. I really enjoyed the canyons that surrounded us and then hole 10 had the view of the beach. We will definitely come back. Well I made it back today 5/17/2025, this time I had a bacon breakfast burrito from Mulligans bar and grill and it was delicious. Weather was great. Only thing I would change is the cart paths and trails are horrible, they really need to be updated very uncomfortable cart ride. But I will do it again, I'll just stay off the paths.
J. Mark Pierce
This golf course is in a beautiful setting where a small river empies into the bay. It's surrounded by a rookery with birds of all kinds everwhere...we saw bald eagles, hawks, herons and many others too numerous to name, but the golf course itself is a mess. The greens are crusty, and bumpy...some covered with lots of bird poop. The sand traps are as hard as a rock, have weeds growing in them and haven't been raked in ages. The driving range balls were old, and mostly yellow and cracked, and the driving range only allows for irons to be hit, no woods. The driving range mats are all falling apart...you can't even use a tee in your warm ups. This course could really be something special, but it isn't. I would say they mostly cater to their regular locals who drive their carts right up next to the greens. Such a shame. This course has gone to ruin. It used to be maintained....not any more.
Marie Kang-Scott
We noticed a significant change in the Avila Beach Golf Course, once known as one of the most beautiful and unique courses on the Central Coast. The first 9 holes were muddy, and the fairways were overrun with weeds and high grass, leading to our cart getting stuck in the mud multiple times. The back 9 was dry and had somewhat better fairways. On the 18th hole, we had a gallery of people watching us tee off, which was an interesting experience amidst the challenges of the day.
John O’Heir
Terrible condition waste of money half of the greens are unplayable
Dee Shaw
Very poorly maintained greens, fairways and boxes. Driving range was a joke.
Susan Huls
Played there 4 days ago, the condition of the course is deplorable! The parches of dead turf or bare dirt on the greens make putting impossible, fairways are riddled with holes from ground squirrels, rocks and dry grass. Cart paths are dangerous to drive on, there’s not 3 feet of level asphalt anywhere. Don’t waste your money, golf balls ( guaranteed you will lose several) or time.
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Course Details
Access & Location
6464 Ana Bay Rd, Avila Beach, CA 93424, USA
Mulligans Bar and Grill - Casual dining and beverage service available on-site
Walking is permitted; course terrain varies between soft, sometimes muddy fairways and firmer coastal sections. Appropriate footwear recommended.
Open to the public daily; tee times recommended during peak season
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