11 Pismo Beach Hotels You Should Consider For Your Next Beach Getaway

Whether you are planning a family vacation or romantic getaway, our list of Pismo Beach hotels has something for everyone.

Pismo Beach is the classic California beach town. Nestled along the Central Coast, south of San Luis Obispo and North of Santa Maria, Pismo Beach is a popular vacation spot for Californians looking for white sandy beaches and laid back coastal attitude.

I’ve been visiting Pismo since I was a baby and have stayed at hotels, motels, motels that no longer exist, condos, houses and campers, not only in Pismo itself but also in much of the surrounding area.

Now when I was growing up, there were no upscale hotels in Pismo Beach. We though the Kon Tiki Inn was the height of luxury. But over the past decade, Pismo Beach has renovated the pedestrian plaza near the pier and several new hotels have opened up that give visitors more options downtown than just a condo rental or 2-3 star beach motel.

These new properties, along with the resorts in Pismo’s Shell Beach neighborhood, as well as the classic motels around town, offer hotels for every budget and travel style.

Beachfront Pismo Beach Hotels

If you want an ocean front, on the beach hotel in downtown Pismo Beach, these are the three best options:

• The SeaVenture, Pismo’s oldest beachfront hotel, built in 1986 in a distinctive style that has made it an icon in the area.
• Sandcastle Hotel on the Beach, a great mid-range budget option if you want to be beachfront but not pay Vespera prices. This property has a great little oceanfront bistro and bar on site called The Deck that does morning coffee and quick breakfast plus evening bites.
• Vespera Resort on Pismo Beach, this is a Marriott Autograph property, part of “a global collection of distinctive independent hotels carefully crafted to leave a lasting imprint.” This hotel offers a poolside bar and a full restaurant serving food all day as well as room service. This is probably the only true resort experience that you will find in Pismo Beach. And possibly the only valet parking as well.

If you want your room to face the beach, make sure you book an Ocean Front room category. Ocean View won’t give you that all beach, all ocean view. If you want a balcony room directly on the beach, you might want to call your reservation in, and explain to the reservation agent which room you are interested in.

I will also note that while Vespera is the nicer property versus Sandcastle on the Beach, Sandcastle’s Oceant Front balcony rooms are the closest to the sand. At Vespera you’ll have Ocean Front but still be set back a bit.

Ocean Front Pismo Beach Hotels

In Pismo’s Shell Beach neighborhood, there is a series of clifftop hotels that offer incredible views and a serene area for walking, biking and sitting around a firepit with a glass of wine. However, there is no true beach access from any of these properties, you have to head back toward town or use one of the access staircases that can be found in Shell Beach.

• The Spyglass Inn offers wonderful balconies and ocean views. At night there are firepits lit if you want to wander down and sit for a while. Pick up snacks and wine from DePalo and Sons deli, just steps away, and chill with the waves rolling in the background.

• Dolphin Bay Resort and Spa is an all suites property that offers complete living spaces with kitchens. Some rooms have balconies and ocean views, some may have garden or pool views. There is dining and a spa on site. This resort is a popular wedding venue.

• The Cliffs Hotel and Spa, a property more suited to a romantic getaway than a family vacation, has nice rooms, a lovely spa and upscale dining on site.

Other Ocean Front Pismo Beach Hotels

• The Shore Cliff Hotel is nice option, it is ocean front but not beach front as it is perched on a bluff. However, there is a path to the beach. Perfect hotel for someone who wants to visit the beach but doesn’t want the hustle and bustle of downtown Pismo.

• Lighthouse Suites are another great option if you are looking for ocean views and a balcony. Again, you’ll have to walk to the beach but Ventana Grill is nearby if you want a nice dining option in walking distance.

• The SeaCrest Oceanfront Hotel is a classic Pismo Beach hotel that has been in operation for more than 60 years. The original motel that was built in the same stretch of Highway 1 as the Shore Cliff and Lighthouse Suites, the hotel sits atop the bluffs offering incredible ocean front views and a bit of Pismo history.

A few more Pismo Beach Hotel Suggestions

• Inn at the Pier is a beautiful, modern, beachy property and part of Hilton’s Curio collection. The hotel is situated in perhaps the best spot in town, just off of the pier and within walking distance of everything. The hotel offers a popular rooftop restaurant as well.

• Pismo Beach Club is a new hotel that has taken over the building that the Landmark Hotel used to occupy and renovated it top to bottom and inside out. I haven’t had the chance to look inside yet but from the photos it looks gorgeous and fun.

• The aforementioned Kon Tiki Inn is a Pismo classic that has been open since 1974 and holds a special place in the memories of 80’s kids who used to come here for their summer vacation. It’s still going strong and is a great place to stay with the kids. There is a pool on site and a staircase down to a section of the beach that doesn’t get as crowded as the beach right in town.

Budget Pismo Beach Hotels

• The Sea Gypsy Motel is right on the sand, but make sure you ask for ocean front. This is a bare bones condo style property, if you are on a serious budget and want to be right on the beach, this classic Pismo Beach motel might work. Also very close to Old West Cinnamon Rolls.

• The Edgewater Inn and Suites is a standard two star motel, but does occupy one of the best locations in town. If you can’t stretch to the Sandcastle or the Kon Tiki and want to be steps from the beach, this property could be an option.

For more Central Coast content, check out our post about why San Luis Obispo is the perfect stop on your California Road Trip.

Keep reading…

Napa Travel: How to Organize Your Perfect 3 Day Napa Valley Trip

Welcome to Barcelona: The Quick List of Things To Do in Barcelona That I Include in Every Barcelona Itinerary

Everything You Need to Know About the Electronic Travel Authorization Now Required to Visit the UK