Port San Luis Harbor

Port San Luis is a harbor on San Luis Obispo Bay, about 1.3 miles west of Avila Beach. It is managed by the Port San Luis Harbor District, which has overseen the harbor and surrounding tidelands since 1954. The anchorage is protected by a breakwater, and ashore the district's piers, boatyard, chandlery and restaurants cluster around Harford Landing and Harford Pier. John Harford built the original pier in 1873 to ship goods and passengers to San Luis Obispo; the Point San Luis Lighthouse followed in 1890.

Moorings rather than a marina

There is no large slip marina here. The harbor is mostly a mooring field, with roughly 165 privately owned moorings in water depths of about 20 to 40 feet depending on where you are in the harbor. Mooring placement follows seniority by permit date, annual inspections are mandatory, and the district notes that buying mooring hardware does not by itself guarantee a space in the water. Visitors can use guest moorings, which have been posted at a daily rate with a 14-day maximum, or seasonal rental moorings. Contact the Harbor Patrol for availability.

Harford Pier, hoists and the launch dock

Harford Pier is the working heart of the port. Hoist #1 at the landside base of the pier may be used to lower or lift trailerable small craft; hoists #2 to #4 need Harbor Director approval for small boats on trailers. A separate Trailer Boat Launch dock is for loading, unloading, launching and retrieving only, and unattended vessels are limited to 15 minutes. A floating work dock is free from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. The district map also lists a mobile hoist for launching and hauling, and guest skiff tie-ups.

Anchoring

Anchoring between the piers has been free for 7 days from April to October, with daily fees after that, and a higher daily fee from November to March. Check the current fee schedule before you arrive.

Harbor Patrol and safety

The Harbor Patrol listens on VHF channel 12 for non-emergency traffic and channel 16 for emergencies; the harbor office is at 805-595-5400. No fueling of vehicles or vessels is allowed on the wharf, and smoking is banned on wharves. Check the marine forecast before you plan an overnight on a mooring.