Avila Fat Cats / California / United States

This is named after the restaurant it is in front of, and it's a bit of a fickle spot only breaking a few times a year.  When it does break it is a spot for pros only as it takes a lot of skill to ride properly and if you don't have enough then it will pound you.

There isn't really much of a beach as such, you are going in from the parking lot in front of the restaurant. Because it doesn't break very often this is a quiet spot and most people will head for the nearby Avila beach even if it is breaking. 

This place works on a falling tide, at the mid or high tide position, with the swell coming from the north, north-west or west. The swell will start at about 1 m and hold up to around 2.5 m. It breaks against the jetty, and it's actually the backwash you are riding away from the beach on waves that are powerful and ledgey.  Length is short and most days won't see any more than about 50 m, though the odd good day can deliver up to 150 m.

Apart from the restaurant here, there are a few places in the town where you can get food and drink, or find somewhere to stay. If you prefer the feel of a bigger city, San Luis Obispo isn't too far away to drive.

This is a very local spot, and given that they wait most of the year for it to break you can forgive them for being a bit possessive.  There are also a lot of rocks under the water, so don't come here at low tide.