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    Shell Beach Inn

    4.6 (149 reviews)
    ModerateHotels
    Open Open 24 hours

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    Recommended Reviews - Shell Beach Inn

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    Yvette M.

    On our road trip back to Southern California, we made Pismo Beach our overnight rest stop. This Inn had great rates and from the reviews posted, it looked clean and updated. At around 4:30pm, on check in day, we received a call asking if we'd be there by 5pm. The office closes at that time, leaving no staff onsite. We arrived around 7pm and retrieved our keys from a lock box. We were given room 9 with a king size bed. Being an end room, only one wall is shared. The room was clean, updated and pretty spacious. A refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, and two water bottles, along with a small cooler were available in the room. The bathroom area is spacious and has a separate area to get ready as well. Although the shower was large, the water pressure was horrible. The earplugs next to the bed scared me that this place may be loud. We were exhausted and happy that it was initially quiet. However, around 11pm, the guests next door arrived and it was as if they were in our room. I could here every cough, step, conversation, and the loud thuds of luggage hitting the ground. Those earplugs did not help in drowning out any of the noise. Also, this Inn is small, maybe 10 rooms and the parking lot is in the center, with some spots backed up to a room. Great if it's your car, not so much if it belongs to someone else. If you can tolerate noise, then this spot works. It's walking distance to Shell Beach, which is great for a morning walk, and it's near the freeway. I Personally would never stay here again. I was exhausted the next day.

    Hotel

    Cute little stop in Pismo! Walking distance to Dinosaur Caves Park and great food choices (Old SLO for lunch, Blast & Brew for dinner and The Steaming Bean for breakfast sandwiches/coffee). The room was clean and had a kitchenette, which would be great for longer stays. It was surprisingly quiet being so close to the road. The staff was friendly and personable and accommodated our slightly early arrival. Better for couples; we stayed with our kids and might be slightly cramped for a longer stay but worked for our quick overnighter! Would definitely stay again!

    About a block From SB Inn
    Malia M.

    Nice beds and air conditioning! The location is great near the ocean and the room was great except.... There was a loud and constant , unidentified noise for over an hour and the staff person didnt know what it could be, acted dumfounded and only offered complimentary ear plugs? One star for staff 3-4 stars for the room.

    Tonya H.

    Wow! This place is fantastic. Located just out of the craziness that is Pismo Beach, this is a small place with maybe 10 rooms. It's just off Highway 101 and close to a couple of restaurants, a liquor store, a coffee shop and beach access. They have thought of everything in the rooms: a bowl of candy/mints, coffee, ice in a little ice chest and popcorn. Rooms have a fridge and microwave. Wine glasses, water glasses and both kinds of coffee cups - to go and real! AC and heat, a fan for people who need it, small bistro table, other seating in the room and blackout curtains/shades. Bed was fabulous! I was walked to my room by the front desk receptionist which was a nice touch. As a solo traveler I will definitely revisit this place. Safety and comfort

    Bianca C.

    such a great place to stay and probably the best hotel stay i've ever had! my boyfriend and i stayed here for a night and we were kind of upset that it was only for the night because of how much we enjoyed it it felt extremely home-y, it was very clean, and the older lady at the desk for check in was so sweet! they provided coupons for local breakfast places and restaurants, and everything down to the towels in the bathroom was amazing quality. comfortable blankets and pillows. there was an extendable mirror in our bathroom and a vanity right outside of the bathroom (very useful for doing my makeup while the bathroom was occupied.) the pool was heated, the wifi was fast, and checkout was extremely easy since there was no need to notify anyone. this stay was an overall 10/10 and i would 100% recommend to anyone looking to stay in the area!

    King bedroom
    Alysa F.

    Best experience by far! I frequently travel to Pismo and have a family camping trip every summer. Why I didn't know see this place or consider it before is so ridiculous of me! I mate never stay anywhere else again! I loved the experience and quality of the stay! Amazing experience! Book with them!!!

    Kitchen/bar area
    Brandi G.

    This hotel was such a perfect hotel for us. The room was beautifully decorated. I loved all the succulents and plants everywhere. It felt like a home. The staff was welcoming and accommodating and just so sweet. The towels and bedding were soft and comfortable. Very clean. My favorite part was the little kitchen area set up with nice glass cups to pour my beer in. I felt like I was a my own personal bar. The pool area was so relaxing set up with cozy chairs, a tiny propane fire pit, and a blanket. The pool was warm and felt amazing. I don't have a bad thing to say about our stay here. We definitely hope to stay here again.

    Laura S.

    The customer service here is unmatched. The grounds were clean. The heated pool has a fireplace, blankets and music. The decor and amenities in the rooms leave your wanting to plan your next trip. The bedding, beds and pillows and like clouds. Nearby businesses give you 10% discount and they're all so friendly. I'm so glad we chose to stay here

    A few blocks from the hotel.
    Cyndi B.

    Dave and Jodie (hope I spelled that properly) were absolutely lovely. The rooms had recently been remodeled and were fresh and clean. I hope to get back there soon

    Room #7

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    It was a nice stay. The rooms was clean and the front desk was very nice and helpful. The bed was comfortable.

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    Awesome! Super nice staff, welcoming environment, and perfect location for SLO, Pismo, and all the little coastal towns!

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    Page 1 of 4

    Ask the Community - Shell Beach Inn

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    Review Highlights - Shell Beach Inn

    Dave is a very genuinely cool guy and we were able to call him for any questions we had about the area.

    Mentioned in 23 reviews

    Read more highlights

    SeaCrest OceanFront Hotel - Christmas 2025

    SeaCrest OceanFront Hotel

    (1.2k reviews)

    $$$

    What an awesome hotel. Check in was quick. Our room was ready at 1pm. There is a pool with hot…read moretubs and fire pits. The coastal access stairs are well maintained. Be warned, if you go down... you have to climb the stairs back up. LOL. We walked from the hotel on the beach to the Pismo Beach Pier. Leisurely walk was nice but the climb up the stairs can be challenging. LOL. The room was clean and had a small fridge and all the amenities including a kuerig coffee maker. The hotel complimentary breakfast starts at 7am. Eggs, sausage, bagels, waffle and toast. Enough to get your day started. The property is dog friendly and lots of guests have dogs on a leash walking around. The summer we went, there are families with kids. Fun times for all. Our deluxe room comes with a $10 free drink each nice. Also, can't forget the cookies at 3pm. I would return to SeaCrest Ocean Front Hotel.

    We've been staying at Seacrest on and off for many years and have always enjoyed the up front…read morebalcony over looking the beach, and staff has always been great. However, during this recent visit, we did not feel welcomed. When my wife and I approached the front desk for check‑in, the older female employee working the reception (possibly named Debbie or starting with a "D") told us she had not called us yet, even though it was clearly our turn in line. I apologized and stepped back, and only a few seconds later she did not greet us instead up front asked if we had a reservation. From the beginning, her demeanor toward us felt unfriendly and dismissive. We had booked an Ocean View King with a patio, but we were assigned a fourth‑floor room on the east wing of the hotel with only a partial ocean view and a strong smell of urine. it turns out this area of the building are pet friendly. We returned to the front desk, waited again, and when she called us over with "What's up," I explained the issue. She was quiet for a moment, then reassigned us to the main building second‑floor room above the reception area and informed us that no patio rooms were available. Her behavior throughout the check‑in process was discouraging and made us feel unwelcome, which was disappointing--especially considering we spent over $850 for a two‑night stay. However, a part from this staff issue, Seacrest is a great place to stay, the complementary breakfast is great! but yes that one staff was not the greatest...

    Beachcomber Inn - The Pier

    Beachcomber Inn

    (159 reviews)

    $$

    Wife and I stopped by Pismo on our recent road trip and decided to spend a night at the BeachComber…read moreInn. The room was very spacious and comfortable and the location was absolutely perfect--quick 5 minutes walk to the beach! The parking was easy as well! But the one thing that made our stay special was Johnny's hospitality! He was super friendly and amiable and made sure all our questions were answered and our stay was comfortable! We highly recommend this place for anyone looking for a quick, comfortable stay at Pismo Beach!

    My spouse and I decided to plan a weekend getaway and chose to visit Pismo Beach, which is located…read moreon the southern side. I was initially undecided between a few different options, but ultimately decided to stay at Beachcomber Inn. I made a reservation from Friday to Sunday. I had already received an email confirming that check-in would be at 4:00 PM on Friday. However, around 9:00 AM that same morning, I received a phone call informing me that no one had stayed in the room the night before, and that we were welcome to check in at any time without waiting until 4:00 PM. As we all know, most hotels charge extra fees for early check-in or late check-out, so receiving such a generous offer without even asking was truly surprising and very much appreciated. Unfortunately, due to work commitments, we were only able to arrive around 6:00 PM. When we got there, I learned that the person who had called me was the owner, Johnny. We had the chance to meet him in person--he is incredibly friendly, talkative, and genuinely welcoming. He personally showed us around our room, which made the experience even more special. The location of the hotel is outstanding. It's just about a block and a half away from the busy center of Pismo Beach, yet it is remarkably quiet. We had a very peaceful night's sleep, and the room temperature was perfect. Everything we needed was thoughtfully provided--there was a coffee machine with plenty of coffee pods, and the bathroom was fully stocked with essentials like shampoo and shower products. The room itself was spotless and in excellent condition. Additionally, the nearby beaches are only about a 10-minute drive away. We even went to the sand dunes and rode ATVs, which was an incredibly fun experience. I would definitely recommend it to anyone visiting Pismo Beach. Check-out on Sunday was scheduled for 12:00 PM, but once again, Johnny reached out to let us know that no one was checking in after us. He kindly offered that we could check out anytime up until 6:00 PM if we wished. Just like the early check-in, this thoughtful gesture--offered without us even asking--was both surprising and deeply appreciated. He could have easily charged for this, but it was clear from the moment we met him that his priority is simply to provide excellent service and ensure his guests feel comfortable and happy during their stay. We would absolutely recommend staying at Beachcomber Inn when visiting Pismo Beach, and if you have the chance, meeting Johnny in person is truly a pleasure. From now on, we know that every time we visit Pismo Beach, we will choose to stay at this hotel without hesitation. Through this review, we would like to thank him once again and hope to see him again very soon.

    Pacific Point Resort, Formerly Pismo Lighthouse Suites - Spring @Pismo

    Pacific Point Resort, Formerly Pismo Lighthouse Suites

    (466 reviews)

    $$

    Wonderful peaceful location. Really enjoyed the fire pits. Partial Ocean View two room two bath…read moresuite. Staff was warm welcoming and helpful. Room was clean and nicely decorated. We did find the beds to be a bit soft but no big deal. I was worried about the prior reviews about bird poop but our baloney was very clean as was the entire courtyard and pool area. We will return !

    I am struggling with this because I don't like to leave critical reviews. To preface, the property…read moreownership changed hands and they are completing an extensive remodel. First, the good: the staff was fantastic, even dealing with all the difficulties with the property. Always a great attitude and very helpful. So hats off to them. The design and style of the rooms is very nice. Room was very clean. I think the current issue is that property ownership is making some poor choices. Our building was clearly still being worked on. Our first room that we checked in to, when we arrived, the shower was taken apart and a plumber was in the room working on it. We went back to the front desk, and they had no other rooms that were the same, but they got us another room that worked. Unfortunately, the building was running off a generator, and we lost power a couple of times, but it was restored after about 30 minutes. My mom was staying at the hotel as well, and dealt with ants for two days. The hotel did comp her the two days, but she had to move rooms. I think the ownership just reopened too early and should have kept parts of the property closed until they were completely finished. I stayed at the Shorecliff (previous name of the property) last year and it was nice, if a little dated. Not sure why these major systems are not working now. When everything was fine last year. Also, why are they charging $15/day for parking and a $35/day resort fee? It's not fancy like that, I don't think you get a good value for the added fees. Also no breakfast, you have to pay $25 for breakfast buffet that you could get included in your stay in a bunch of other places in Pismo. So yeah, maybe wait until they finish construction.

    Inn at the Pier Pismo Beach, Curio Collection by Hilton

    Inn at the Pier Pismo Beach, Curio Collection by Hilton

    (520 reviews)

    $$$

    Beautiful hotel in an excellent location! It's just a short walk from the pier, with plenty of…read morerestaurants, shops, and convenience stores nearby, so you really have everything you need within walking distance. The room was very clean, and the hotel itself was well maintained. One thing to note is that the bathrooms have an open concept shower, so water can splash onto the floor. Putting down a towel helps, but it's something to be aware of. The hotel also has a small convenience shop in the lobby with snacks, drinks, and essentials like headache medicine. It isn't a huge selection, but with so many stores nearby, it wasn't an issue. They offer on site parking for a fee, which was convenient, and one of my favorite features was the rooftop area it's a great place to relax, eat, and enjoy the atmosphere. Overall, I had a great stay and would definitely choose this hotel again.

    The service and team during check-in and check-out, as well as the valet, were great!…read more However, as others have mentioned, the noise levels were outrageous. I booked a room before reading reviews because it was part of the American Express "Hotel Collection." Usually, I don't worry about issues since they promote it. We stayed in room 205. I chose it because it was far from the elevator and on the opposite side of the street from the nightclub. Little did I know, we were actually right above the lobby kitchen. On our first morning, my wife said it sounded like they were doing maintenance because it was so loud, I was dead asleep! On the second night, we were woken around 5am to music so loud I could make out the words. At first, I thought, "maybe it's the bar across the street and they should be closing soon," since I thought it was still before 2am since the blinds were closed. I was wrong the music kept going. Eventually, I couldn't stand it anymore and got up, realizing it was almost 6am!!! I got up and followed the sound. Using the stairs next to my room, I found the music coming from inside the kitchen right below us. I went in and saw no one there! I went around the building through the front door and found no one there, I used the kitchen door by the lobby to see if I could spot an employee, but there was no one. When I turned back towards the lobby, the front desk attendant was returning and asked if I needed help. I told him, "Yes, turn the music down! It's 6am!" I went back to my room, but I was already awake. I could still hear it, though not as loud. Management should do a better job of enforcing quiet hours; this should not be a free-for-all, especially as the price wasn't cheap. I will not be returning to this property. My wife said, "this is the loudest hotel we've ever stayed at!" We did enjoy the beach chairs, bikes and happy hour up on the roof. Bartender service up there, not so much. Not a good choice on a wedding anniversary trip.

    Pacific Point Resort, Formerly Shore Cliff Hotel - Red wine

    Pacific Point Resort, Formerly Shore Cliff Hotel

    (339 reviews)

    $$

    I found the Shore Cliff Hotel from my late husband's old videos of road trips he made with his…read moredaughter while she was a young girl. Knowing him, I knew he would have chosen a beautiful place that would have made their trip memorable. so for my first ever birthday after he passed, I decided to come here. I knew I wouldn't be disappointed. #pismobeach #pelicans #pacific #visitcalifornia #californiacoast Note that Shore Cliff is now called the Pacific Point Resort From their website A California Classic For over 50 years, Pacific Point has stood a testament to the era when the Golden State discovered its Golden promise. In that time, we've embraced the tides of change, while never drifting far from our surf-culture roots. Today, our 170-room resort is freshly renovated, but still very much a California classic. Blending modern amenities with an unmistakable sense of '70s coastal soul, we pair a design-meets-destination aesthetic with service that adapts to meet the moment -- much like the shoreline. Set atop the cliffs, overlooking the water, this is more than a front-row ticket to one of nature's greatest performances. It's a serene gateway to all of the sun-kissed potential that pulls people to the Central Coast.

    Beautiful location but this is wildly overpriced for what it is. This facility is a made over motel…read morecalling itself a resort. There are a dozen others on that same stretch of beach that are all about the same quality at about half the price. Some of the bigger issues include we had were the result of pretty manipulative photos. They do an amazing job at making the motel look like a newly built facility. It is definitely not that. They do a good job redecorating the rooms but at the core the rooms are still old. Other issues with them calling this a resort include: the pool was a motel style pool. A/C clanked all night. TP in was one ply and rough! Bed was ancient and super lumpy. If you want to charge $400+ for midweek nights and then add $55 for parking and a "resort fee" you need to actually be a legit resort. This isn't.

    Cottage Inn by the Sea - Ocean view fire pits

    Cottage Inn by the Sea

    (519 reviews)

    $$

    ABSOLUTELY LOVED OUR STAY!…read more My husband and I stayed at Cottage Inn by the Sea for a special getaway and had such a wonderful experience. The location is absolutely beautiful, and being right on the bluffs overlooking the ocean made the whole trip feel special. The views are incredible, and we loved being able to walk right down to the beach. Our room was cozy, clean, and comfortable, and the fireplace was such a nice touch, especially in the evening. We had an upstairs room with a gorgeous ocean view and loved waking up to it every morning. We slept great, the bed and pillows were very comfortable, and we really appreciated having Starbucks coffee right in our room. The Bistro was also convenient for grabbing breakfast in the morning. Another thing we really appreciated was that parking was only $12 per night. So many hotels we looked at in the area were charging much higher parking fees plus additional resort or amenity fees, so we thought Cottage Inn was very reasonable. One of our favorite parts of the property was sitting outside by the fire pits in the evening. There is something so relaxing about the cool coastal air, listening to the ocean, and sitting around a fire. The property has such a charming California beach atmosphere. The staff were wonderful from check-in to check-out. Everyone we encountered was friendly, welcoming, and helpful. We also loved that Cottage Inn feels like a true beach getaway rather than a big corporate hotel. The fireplaces, ocean views, beach access, fire pits, and location are exactly what we were looking for. We came here wanting a relaxing Pismo Beach getaway and that's exactly what we got. We would absolutely stay at Cottage Inn by the Sea again and are already talking about coming back! Five stars from us!

    Mr Taylor K Please…read moredon't make it seem like you offered a substantial amount as a gesture. I paid over $2000. You offered me $600 which was the night that was the least expensive. And as I mentioned to your management before, I was trying to enjoy my anniversary instead of calling and emailing every issue that I was having which would've distracted me from the nice time I was trying to have please don't make excuses the stay was horrible. I'll never stay again especially due to the horrible customer service I received after I submitted my complaints. And the reason I know this is unacceptable is because the last time I had a horrible experience with a business they knew exactly how to compensate and I have since returned to them with a much better visit . Get it together cottage inn you need to do better .

    Shell Beach Inn - hotels - Updated September 2026

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