United States California The Best Pismo Beach, California, Hotels You can't go wrong with a stay at SeaCrest OceanFront Hotel, our top choice By Christina Liao Updated on 11/18/22 Fact checked by Hans Jasperson Fact checked by Hans Jasperson University of Utah Hans Jasperson has been delivering fact-based information and analysis to business leaders, policymakers, and consumers for over a decade. His research has been shared with members of the U.S. Congress, federal agencies, and policymakers in several states. Since 2019, he has reviewed hundreds of articles for Investopedia, The Balance, Treehugger, and other publications. TripSavvy's fact-checking Share Pin Email Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. For a slow-paced getaway on the California coastline, Pismo Beach’s array of hotels offers just that. Located halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, this is the perfect spot to stop if you’re taking a road trip down picturesque Highway 1. With stretches of beautiful white-sand beach and many properties perched atop bluffs with dramatic views, you may just end up staying an extra night or two. You can either choose to be near downtown where all of the action is or stay a few minutes out to really unwind and relax. And if you want to switch things up, San Luis Obispo’s wine country is just a short drive away. The following properties top their categories based on accolades, customer reviews, top-tier service, and more. Read on for our expert-chosen list of the best hotels in Pismo Beach. The 7 Best Pismo Beach, California Hotels of 2023 Best Overall: Seacrest OceanFront Hotel Best Budget: Dolphin Cove Motel Best for Families: Pismo Lighthouse Suites Best for Luxury: Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa Best Boutique: Inn at the Pier Best for Couples: Spyglass Inn Best Beachfront: SeaVenture Beach Hotel The Best Pismo Beach, California, Hotels View All The Best Pismo Beach, California, Hotels Our Top Picks Seacrest OceanFront Hotel Dolphin Cove Motel Pismo Lighthouse Suites Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa Inn at the Pier Spyglass Inn SeaVenture Beach Hotel See More (4) Final Verdict Compare Hotels Methodology Best Overall : Seacrest OceanFront Hotel 2241 Price St Rates: $$ Resort Fee: No See Rates Why We Chose It SeaCrest OceanFront Hotel offers guests numerous amenities like a pool, live entertainment, and fire pits at a moderate price. Pros & Cons Pros All accommodations have a balcony or patio, most with ocean views Direct beach access Complimentary continental breakfast Complimentary coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and fresh-baked cookies in the afternoon Cons Steep walk down to the beach No spa or fitness center Having earned many accolades like the California Lodging Industry Association’s prestigious Excellence in Lodging and Hospitality award, SeaCrest OceanFront Hotel is a favorite amongst travelers. In addition to top-notch service, the property offers its guests several amenities to make their vacation a relaxing and memorable one, including an outdoor pool, jacuzzis, direct beach access, gas barbecue grills on the terrace, complimentary continental breakfast, and live entertainment. There’s also an on-site restaurant and bar, perfect for dining in or to pick up some items for a picnic on the beach. To rest your head at night, enjoy minimalist accommodations with a balcony or patio, most of which have ocean views and conveniences such as a microwave and refrigerator. Notable Amenities Outdoor pool and 3 outdoor jacuzzisComplimentary self-parkingComplimentary continental breakfastLive entertainmentBarbecue grills on-site for guest useComplimentary wine tastings on select datesMost rooms have a microwave and/or fridge Best Budget : Dolphin Cove Motel 170 Main St Rates: $ Resort Fee: No See Rates Why We Chose It Just steps away from the beach, pier, and downtown, Dolphin Cove Motel offers guests a convenient location at an affordable price. Pros & Cons Pros Walking distance to the beach, pier, and downtown All accommodations have at least a partial beach and ocean view Cons Some outdated decor No on-site restaurant For the no-frills traveler in search of a convenient location and low rates, Dolphin Cove Motel is one of the best budget-friendly options in the area. Within walking distance to the beach, pier, and downtown’s notable restaurants and shops, all you’ll need to do is park your car and venture by foot, or bike should you choose to rent one, to get to everywhere you need to go. All rooms have at least partial views of the ocean. And if you’re traveling with the family, two-bedroom suites are also an option. Notable Amenities Complimentary self-parkingBarbecue grills on-site for guest use Best for Families : Pismo Lighthouse Suites 2411 Price St Rates: $$ Resort Fee: No See Rates Why We Chose It Pismo Lighthouse Suites’ expansive Play Deck that features amenities like mini-golf, life-size chess, and ping pong will keep the kids busy and happy. Pros & Cons Pros Play Deck has mini golf, badminton, life-size chess, cornhole, and more All accommodations are suites with conveniences like a microwave and refrigerator Cons No on-site restaurant or bar No on-site spa or fitness center If you’re traveling with kids, look no further than Pismo Lighthouse Suites. To kick off the trip, fresh-baked cookies are offered at check-in. But the real prize is the property’s Play Deck. At the expansive playground, you’ll find a variety of activities and games like mini-golf, life-size chess and checkers, badminton, ping pong, hopscotch, and so much more to keep the little ones entertained. The hotel also offers an outdoor pool with a hot tub, beach access, and tennis courts—basically, everyone will be entertained at all hours. Plus, all of the accommodations here are suites, so there’s plenty of room for the entire family. All of the digs have a balcony or patio, most of which have ocean views, and conveniences like a microwave and refrigerator. While there’s no on-site restaurant, there are several options nearby and downtown is just a few minutes away. Notable Amenities Outdoor pool and JacuzziFresh-baked cookies at check-inPlayground and tennis courts on-siteComplimentary self-parkingComplimentary continental breakfastElectric vehicle charging station Best for Luxury : Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa 2727 Shell Beach Road Rates: $$$ Resort Fee: Yes See Rates Why We Chose It The all-suite Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa provides spacious accommodations, amiable customer service, and is home to one of the best spas in Pismo Beach. Pros & Cons Pros All suites, start at 860 square feet and have balconies, a full kitchen, living room, and dining area Upscale spa offers massages and facials Cons $40 daily resort fee Accommodations do not have air conditioning (typically not an issue given Pismo Beach’s mild coastal climate) Delivering top-notch service, spacious digs, and one of the best spas in Pismo Beach, Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa is one of the most luxe options in the area. All of the accommodations here are suites and have balconies, a full kitchen, living room, dining area, and laundry facilities, making it also an ideal stay for families or long vacations. During your downtime, walk down to the beach and enjoy the tide pools, lounge by the pool, rent one of the bikes, book a massage or facial at the spa, or unwind by an alfresco fire pit at sunset. The property is also home to the beloved oceanfront Lido restaurant that serves Californian fare, a champagne brunch on Sundays, and has an onsite wine cellar with over 800 local and international vinos to choose from. Notable Amenities Outdoor pool and outdoor JacuzziComplimentary valet parkingBikes and barbecue grills on-site for guest use Best Boutique : Inn at the Pier 601 Cypress St Rates: $$$ Resort Fee: Yes See Rates Why We Chose It Just steps away from the pier and boardwalk, Inn at the Pier provides guests with a convenient location in a fairly intimate setting. Pros & Cons Pros Home to the only rooftop bar in Pismo Beach Steps from the pier and boardwalk Cons $30+ resort/valet fee No spa In the thick of all of the action, Inn at the Pier is just steps away from the boardwalk and Pismo Beach pier. The boutique hotel offers guests well-appointed accommodations, many of which have a private patio or balcony with at least a partial view of the ocean. It also happens to be home to the only rooftop bar in the area, where you can enjoy sunset drinks or an alfresco meal while taking in panoramic views of the coastline. The property also has their Blonde restaurant for breakfast, dishing out classics like avocado toast and lemon ricotta pancakes. During the day, lounge at the sundeck or outdoor pool or grab one of the beach cruisers for a ride along the shore. Notable Amenities Outdoor poolRooftop barValet parkingBikes on-site for guest useElectric vehicle charging stations Best for Couples : Spyglass Inn 2705 Spyglass Dr Rates: $$ Resort Fee: No See Rates Why We Chose It With its oceanfront fire pits and cozy fireplaces in select accommodations, Spyglass Inn is ideal for striking up some romance. Pros & Cons Pros Some accommodations have balconies and cozy fireplaces Oceanfront fire pits with exceptional views Cons Accommodations do not have air conditioning (typically not an issue given Pismo Beach’s mild coastal climate) No fitness center There’s perhaps nothing quite like the comforting warmth of flames to help set the mood for a romantic night and Spyglass Inn offers just that. Dotted around its grounds are oceanfront fire pits where you and your significant other can relish in the crackling wood and burning embers with panoramic views of the coastline. If you prefer something more private, some of their accommodations even have in-room fireplaces so that you can cozy up in your own digs with a glass of wine or two. The property also offers its guests an outdoor pool to relax next to; easy access to the beach; an all-day, seafood-forward restaurant; and an intimate spa for some pampering. Notable Amenities Outdoor poolSpaFire pitsComplimentary self-parking Best Beachfront : SeaVenture Beach Hotel 100 Ocean View Ave Rates: $$ Resort Fee: Yes See Rates Why We Chose It One of just two hotels right on the sand, SeaVenture Beach Hotel offers the easiest access to both the Pacific Ocean and downtown. Pros & Cons Pros Located right on the beach Most of the accommodations have a balcony with a Jacuzzi Within walking distance to the pier and downtown Cons $30+ daily resort/parking fee No on-site pool, spa, or fitness center On-site restaurant only serves dinner Monday-Friday (open for all meals on Saturday and Sunday) While many properties in the area are located on a bluff above the coastline and offer guests beach access via a walk down steps, there are few that actually sit right on the sand. One of those, however, is SeaVenture Beach Hotel. You won’t find a pool at the hotel given its prime location right in front of the Pacific, but the majority of the accommodations do have a Jacuzzi on the balcony. Some of the rooms also have a fireplace if you really want to up the romance factor. For dining, the on-site restaurant serves up coastal cuisine for dinner and a weekend Brunch with a bottomless champagne and mimosa option, but for the rest of your meals, you can head into downtown just a few blocks away. Notable Amenities Beachfront restaurant Final Verdict Pismo Beach’s hotels capture the essence of this slow-paced town’s laid-back vibe. White-glove service isn’t what you come here for, but rather a friendly and inviting atmosphere that’s great for couples and families alike. For romantic getaways, Spyglass Inn offers cozy fire pits for you to snuggle up to while kids will love running around at Pismo Lighthouse Suites’ Play Deck. Most of the area’s favored properties are perched atop a bluff with dramatic views, like SeaCrest OceanFront Hotel and Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa, but if you want to be right on the sand, SeaVenture Beach Hotel has you covered. Compare the Best Pismo Beach, California Hotels Property Rates Resort Fee No. of Rooms Free Wi-Fi SeaCrest OceanFront Hotel Best Overall $$ No 158 Yes Dolphin Cove Motel Best Budget $ No 21 Yes Pismo Lighthouse Suites Best for Families $$ No 70 Yes Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa Best for Luxury $$$ $40+ 60 Yes Inn at the Pier Best Boutique $$$ $30+ 100+ Yes Spyglass Inn Best for Couples $$ No 82 Yes SeaVenture Beach Hotel Best Beachfront $$ $30+ 50 Yes How We Chose These Hotels We evaluated around a dozen hotels in Pismo Beach before settling on the best for the chosen categories. Notable amenities, pricing, quality of service, and location were all taken into consideration. In determining this list, we evaluated numerous customer reviews and considered whether the property has collected any accolades in recent years. Pismo Beach Pier at Sunset. Bill Richards/Flickr/CC BY-NC 2.0 Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies