Shell Beach Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

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

Activities


Our pick of the best Shell Beach Hotel Deals

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! (472 reviews)
Parking was great, right by our door, no fees, no valet, so easy. Room was clean and housekeeper even left a note, (Maria, I believe). We arrived late, and the innkeeper Daniel, left a code in a lockbox, and sent a secure electronic key via my mobile device. Very close to restaurants, thinking breakfast ...

Reviewed on 9 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! (2,751 reviews)
Friendly staff. Clean room. Nice ocean view

Reviewed on 9 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 AU$323 per night from 15 Mar to 16 Mar
AU$323
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! (1,631 reviews)
Nice ocean view clean room nice and accommodating staff

Reviewed on 9 Mar 2026

SeaCrest OceanFront Hotel
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 AU$134 per night from 16 Mar to 17 Mar
AU$134
16 Mar - 17 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! (1,240 reviews)
The room was not clean when I got in. Clearly the glitter on the side table overlooked by staff. I was exhausted from driving so I just laid down and woke up because the thermostat was malfunctioning and I couldn’t get it to work so at 76 degrees I was roasting. Called the front desk at 1:00 in the ...

Reviewed on 10 Mar 2026

Best Western Casa Grande Inn
Madonna Inn

Madonna Inn

3.5 out of 5
100 Madonna Road San Luis Obispo CA
The price is AU$271 per night from 17 Mar to 18 Mar
AU$271
17 Mar - 18 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! (1,377 reviews)
We had a great time at the Madonna Inn, the only drawback was that we only stayed one night, we should have stayed longer to enjoy all that it has to offer. Next time we will definitely stay longer. It was great fun choosing our room, and am already looking forward to staying there again.

Reviewed on 10 Mar 2026

Madonna Inn
Spyglass Inn

Spyglass Inn

3 out of 5
2705 Spyglass Dr Pismo Beach CA
The price is AU$269 per night from 7 Apr to 8 Apr
AU$269
7 Apr - 8 Apr
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! (1,472 reviews)
The Spyglass Inn was a perfect location for my wife and I. The room with an ocean view balcony was great. Nice walkway to the adjoining hotels. Will definitely stay here again.

Reviewed on 10 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.

The Annual Holiday Sale

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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

4.5/5(8 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
Default Image

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

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