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. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (460 reviews)
It is a very quaint place. Nice personal atmosphere with clean rooms and spectacular service. This is now my go to place to stay when I visit. If there was a way to give more than 5 stars I would. Very convenient to a liquor store and a few shops.

Reviewed on 25 Jan 2026

Shell Beach Inn
Cottage Inn By The Sea

Cottage Inn By The Sea

3 out of 5
2351 Price St Pismo Beach CA
The price is NZ$291 per night from 9 Feb to 10 Feb
NZ$291
9 Feb - 10 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach hotel in Pismo Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,205 reviews)
Everything was amazing! clean and nice

Reviewed on 26 Jan 2026

Cottage Inn By The Sea
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. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (2,670 reviews)
The location is great. The room was clean and comfortable.

Reviewed on 3 Feb 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 NZ$332 per night from 13 Feb to 14 Feb
NZ$332
13 Feb - 14 Feb
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 ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,769 reviews)
Room was clean and very spacious

Reviewed on 2 Feb 2026

Oxford Suites Pismo Beach
SeaCrest OceanFront Hotel

SeaCrest OceanFront Hotel

3.5 out of 5
2241 Price Street Pismo Beach CA
The price is NZ$285 per night from 8 Feb to 9 Feb
NZ$285
8 Feb - 9 Feb
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 ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,609 reviews)
Nice property we would stay again

Reviewed on 29 Jan 2026

SeaCrest OceanFront Hotel
Madonna Inn

Madonna Inn

3.5 out of 5
100 Madonna Road San Luis Obispo CA
The price is NZ$311 per night from 8 Feb to 9 Feb
NZ$311
8 Feb - 9 Feb
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! (1,362 reviews)
Amenities and staff were wonderful.

Reviewed on 4 Feb 2026

Madonna 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 Pismo Preserve.

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 Avila Valley Barn 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 Pismo Beach Premium Outlets and Monarch Butterfly Grove.

Pacific Estates


Shell Beach Travel Guide

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