Shell Beach Travel Guide

Pismo Beach

Shell Beach cliffs and Pacific Ocean at sunset.  Pismo Beach area, California Coastline
Shell Beach cliffs and Pacific Ocean at sunset.  Pismo Beach area, California Coastline
Cliff access walkway at Shell Beach, Pismo Beach area, California Coastline. Beautiful lighting, golden hour, sunset Pacific Coast
Looking towards the city of Pismo Beach from this beautiful city park.
The high tide tonight at Shell Beach gave us quite a show. There was a large pod of dolphins off shore and birds flying and diving into the water everywhere; the Pelicans were my favorite to watch. Usually we come here during low tide to explore the pools, but this was a different experience and one not to be missed.

Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Shell Beach

Shell Beach Inn

Shell Beach Inn

2 out of 5
653 Shell Beach Rd Pismo Beach CA
Stay at this hotel in Pismo Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (469 reviews)
No complaints! Definitely recommend! Personal parking spot. Nicely decorated room. Pool was great! Had a dedicated parking spot. Wonderful time!

Reviewed on 3 Mar 2026

Shell Beach Inn
Edgewater Inn And Suites

Edgewater Inn And Suites

2 out of 5
280 Wadsworth Ave Pismo Beach CA
Stay at this beach motel in Pismo Beach. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,724 reviews)
Motel not really right on the beach. We could see some ocean but parking lot was our main view. The rooms were very dated but clean. The walls were thin - could hear our neighbors next door and could hear footsteps above us from 7pm until 3am. The price was good and the location near the pier was ...

Reviewed on 3 Mar 2026

Edgewater Inn And Suites
SeaCrest OceanFront Hotel

SeaCrest OceanFront Hotel

3.5 out of 5
2241 Price Street Pismo Beach CA
The price is ฿5,612 per night from 5 Mar to 6 Mar
฿5,612
฿6,437 total
5 Mar - 6 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach hotel in Pismo Beach. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,639 reviews)
Such a beautiful property

Reviewed on 4 Mar 2026

SeaCrest OceanFront Hotel
Oxford Suites Pismo Beach

Oxford Suites Pismo Beach

2.5 out of 5
651 Five Cities Dr Pismo Beach CA
The price is ฿14,956 per night from 14 Mar to 15 Mar
฿14,956
฿17,518 total
14 Mar - 15 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly motel in Pismo Beach. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,776 reviews)
Liked the pre-check in through text, was able to tell them we'd be checking in later at 8pm. There was a mistake on their part and the room was being cleaned when we arrived, so they offered us some free drinks in the cantina. 20 mins later we took our drinks to our lovely room. Great customer service ...

Reviewed on 3 Mar 2026

Oxford Suites Pismo Beach
Madonna Inn

Madonna Inn

3.5 out of 5
100 Madonna Road San Luis Obispo CA
The price is ฿4,671 per night from 5 Mar to 6 Mar
฿4,671
฿6,369 total
5 Mar - 6 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa hotel in San Luis Obispo. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,383 reviews)
Our stay at the Madonna Inn was absolutely incredible! This place has been on our bucket list for years, and it did not disappoint. From the moment we arrived, the beautiful landscape and unique architecture made it feel like we stepped into a dream. The heated 85-degree pool was perfect for relaxing, ...

Reviewed on 3 Mar 2026

Madonna Inn
Spyglass Inn

Spyglass Inn

3 out of 5
2705 Spyglass Dr Pismo Beach CA
The price is ฿4,504 per night from 15 Mar to 16 Mar
฿4,504
฿5,165 total
15 Mar - 16 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Pismo Beach. Enjoy parking (surcharge), a 24-hour front desk and a garden. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in their ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,453 reviews)
Very clean , beautiful view of the ocean. Recommend staying here

Reviewed on 4 Mar 2026

Spyglass Inn
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Shell Beach

Nice Flat Water - cool Breeze no people - it works.

Saint Andrews

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Saint Andrews and surrounding area, you can visit The Spa at Dolphin Bay and Avila Hot Springs.

Saint Andrews
Rugged beach.

South Palisades

While there might not be top attractions in South Palisades, you can explore the larger area and discover places like The Spa at Dolphin Bay and Avila Hot Springs.

South Palisades
Sunset over Pismo Beach. #beachbound

Downtown Pismo Beach

4/5(15 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Downtown Pismo Beach, Pismo State Beach and Pismo Beach Surf Shop are top sights worth seeing.

Downtown Pismo Beach
Pismo Beach Sunset

Pismo Heights

Though Pismo Heights may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Price Anniversary House and Pismo Beach Surf Shop.

Pismo Heights
Beautiful colourful summer sunset behind the valley of the San Luis Obispo Bay, viewed from South Palisades Park in Pismo Beach, California

Sunset Palisades

While Sunset Palisades isn't home to many top sights, Avila Hot Springs and The Spa at Dolphin Bay are some notable places to visit nearby.

Sunset Palisades
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Pacific Estates

Though Pacific Estates may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Price Anniversary House and Pismo Beach Premium Outlets.

Pacific Estates


Shell Beach Travel Guide