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! (2,733 reviews)
The hot tub was roped off and we were not given a reason why. Kind of a big bummer for a beach trip in February.

Reviewed on 6 Mar 2026

Edgewater Inn And Suites
Oxford Suites Pismo Beach

Oxford Suites Pismo Beach

2.5 out of 5
651 Five Cities Dr Pismo Beach CA
The price is ฿6,128 per night from 7 Mar to 8 Mar
฿6,128
฿7,393 total
7 Mar - 8 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! (1,779 reviews)
Easy access from Highway. Clean. Good value.

Reviewed on 4 Mar 2026

Oxford Suites Pismo Beach
Best Western Casa Grande Inn

Best Western Casa Grande Inn

2.5 out of 5
850 Oak Park Blvd Pismo Beach CA
The price is ฿2,502 per night from 11 Mar to 12 Mar
฿2,502
฿2,840 total
11 Mar - 12 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Pismo Beach. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,233 reviews)
For the most part the stay was good, it was quiet and the room was ok. The door leading out of the room lead to a drop-off at the edge of the walkway, so if you weren't careful, you could step off a high edge and take a fall and injure yourself. I had to have the hotel get a safety cone to put in ...

Reviewed on 4 Mar 2026

Best Western Casa Grande Inn
SeaCrest OceanFront Hotel

SeaCrest OceanFront Hotel

3.5 out of 5
2241 Price Street Pismo Beach CA
The price is ฿6,323 per night from 15 Mar to 16 Mar
฿6,323
฿7,252 total
15 Mar - 16 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! (1,640 reviews)
Such a beautiful property

Reviewed on 4 Mar 2026

SeaCrest OceanFront Hotel
Spyglass Inn

Spyglass Inn

3 out of 5
2705 Spyglass Dr Pismo Beach CA
The price is ฿4,999 per night from 10 Mar to 11 Mar
฿4,999
฿5,734 total
10 Mar - 11 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! (1,460 reviews)
yes

Reviewed on 5 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