On the scenic shores of Shell Beach, Shell Beach Inn offers a relaxing retreat. With an inviting outdoor pool and comfortable sun loungers, take time to unwind while staying connected with in-room WiFi. Guests rave about the helpful staff.
Pismo Beach Premium Outlets - 4 min drive - 5.9 km
Monarch Butterfly Grove - 5 min drive - 6.6 km
Getting around
San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP) - 17 min drive
Santa Maria, CA (SMX-Santa Maria Public) - 32 min drive
Grover Beach Station - 12 min drive
San Luis Obispo Station - 19 min drive
Guadalupe Station - 28 min drive
Restaurants
Old West Cinnamon Rolls - 3 min drive
Wooly's - 3 min drive
Splash Café Pismo Beach - 3 min drive
Giuseppe's Cucina Italiana - 3 min drive
Vista Steak and Seafood - 2 min drive
About this property
Shell Beach Inn
Shell Beach Inn puts you just a 5-minute drive from Pismo Beach Pier and Avila Hot Springs. Guests can take a dip in the outdoor pool, and freebies like WiFi and self parking are added perks. Also, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and Avila Beach are within a short drive. Fellow travelers love the comfortable beds and helpful staff.
Property amenities
Services
Front desk (limited hours)
Concierge services
Pool loungers
Facilities
An outdoor pool
Accessibility
No elevator (single level property)
Well-lit path to entrance
Room amenities
Be entertained
40-inch flat-screen TV
Premium cable channels
Home comfort
Air conditioning and heating
Ceiling fan
Coffee/tea maker
Iron/ironing board
Sleep well
Bed sheets provided
What to enjoy
Individually furnished and decorated
Freshen up
Hair dryer
Towels
Stay connected
Free WiFi (speed of 25+ Mbps)
Food and drink
Mini-fridge
Microwave
Free bottled water
More
Daily housekeeping
Fees & policies
Policies
This property does not have elevators.
Guests can rest easy knowing there's a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, and a first aid kit on site.
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards and cash.
Credit cards accepted: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover
Frequently asked questions
Does Shell Beach Inn offer free cancellation for a full refund?
Yes, Shell Beach Inn does have fully refundable room rates available to book on our site. If you’ve booked a fully refundable room rate, this can be cancelled up to a few days before check-in depending on the property's cancellation policy. Just make sure to check this property's cancellation policy for the exact terms and conditions.
Is there a pool at Shell Beach Inn?
Yes, there's an outdoor pool.
Are pets allowed at Shell Beach Inn?
Sorry, pets aren't allowed, but service animals are welcome.
Is parking offered on site at Shell Beach Inn?
Yes, there's free self parking.
What are the check-in and check-out times at Shell Beach Inn?
Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: midnight. Check-out time is 11:00 AM. Express check-in and check-out are available.
Is there an onsite casino at Shell Beach Inn?
No, this hotel doesn't have a casino, but Central Coast Casino (6-min drive) is nearby.
What is there to do at Shell Beach Inn and nearby?
Shell Beach Inn has an outdoor pool.
What's the area around Shell Beach Inn like?
Shell Beach Inn is a short 5-minute walk from Margo Dodd Park and 5 minutes' walk from Dinosaur Caves Park. The local area is considered walkable as well as having nice beaches.
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Shell Beach Inn Reviews
Reviews
9.6
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
9.8/10
Cleanliness
9.6/10
Staff & service
9.6/10
Amenities
9.6/10
Property conditions & facilities
9.6/10
Eco-friendliness
Popular mentions
Room
Service staff
Bed
Location
Amenities
Beach
Family friendly
Mint
Ambience
Coffee
What guests liked
The beach is within walking distance and offers stunning views, making it a perfect location for a relaxing getaway. (25 reviews)
The pool was heated, private, and comfortable, with some rooms even having a poolside seating area. (14 reviews)
On-site parking was convenient and easily accessible. (4 reviews)
From real guest reviews summarized by AI.
Reviews
10/10 Exceptional
Oct 3, 2025
Beds were very comfortable
Emily
Emily, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Sep 22, 2025
Great room! Great location.
Michelle
Michelle, 2-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Aug 10, 2025
Great, clean, cozy stay at a great price!
Colleen
Colleen, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Sep 23, 2025
Nice motel, the lady at check-in was the best!! Everything you need near by!!
Jill
Jill, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Sep 4, 2025
Great stay.
We loved our stay at Shell Beach Inn. Next time we'll stay longer for sure. Thanks again Lori.
Erik
Erik, 1-night trip
8/10 Very good
Sep 27, 2025
Room was cozy, clean & comfortable.
Small rooms perfect for an overnight stay.
staff was helpful but has limited hours .
Easy walk to beach & some restaurants . Short drive to downtown .
Katrina
Katrina, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Sep 10, 2025
Nice room with a library!
Cute little inn in Pismo Beach with a wonderful pool! Very clean, comfortable, quiet...and my room even had a library in it! I added a good book I had just finished to the library!
Patricia M
Patricia M, 2-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Jul 7, 2025
Amazing place
Fabio
Fabio, 1-night trip
6/10 Good
Oct 5, 2025
Charming.
Annette
Annette, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Aug 13, 2025
The hotel is adorable. We stayed in room 8. It was cozy and bed was comfortable.
Verified traveler
1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Oct 3, 2025
We stayed in unit #9. The bed was comfortable but lopsided. Felt I was going to roll off. But I love this hotel and everything else was excellent
Rod
Rod, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Jun 17, 2025
Really enjoyed our stay and will return. Staff and room were great.
Terri
Terri, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Jun 15, 2025
Clean and comfortable, attention to details, and like the Shell Beach neighborhood!
Christiane
Christiane, 2-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Aug 21, 2025
Happy travelers
Pismo Beach has always been our choice when visiting Santa Barbara and the central California coastal areas. The hotel is a remodeled motel. The management took extra care to add a number of upscale amenities to make their guests comfortable. The rooms were small but well equipped and thoughtfully decorated. Quiet and convenient.
Ethel
Ethel, 1-night trip
8/10 Very good
Apr 20, 2025
Nice place to stay
Nice room with a friendly person at the front desk.
Verified traveler
1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Jun 22, 2025
A hidden gem. The Shell Beach Inn provided a warm welcome and quirky decor with some nice extra touches such as popcorn and complimentary water. Nice location for sunsets at the nearby coast. Would stay there again.
Dave
Dave, 1-night trip
8/10 Very good
Jun 21, 2025
Charming little property. Rooms were s bit small but comfortable
Sylvia
Sylvia, 3-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Jun 18, 2025
Overall a nice experience
Alan
Alan, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Jul 17, 2025
The room was great loved all the extra pillows on the bed only complaint there was left over sushi in the refrigerator and the toilet seat was loose but other that that it was a beautiful room quit and intimate I will definitely book again
Jorge
Jorge, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Apr 19, 2025
Love the place was very comfortable and home feel. We hope to stay again in the future .
Jessica
Jessica, 3-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Mar 12, 2025
Such a quaint and beautiful hotel, they provided everything l needed to be comfortable.
Maria
Maria, 2-night trip
8/10 Very good
Apr 29, 2025
Out for the Taste of Pismo event. This hotel is close enough to walk.
Christina
Christina, 3-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Feb 22, 2025
Great spot for a weekend getaway!
Super cute motel in Pismo Beach. Highly recommend!
Marissa
Marissa, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
May 12, 2025
Highly recommend this property. Very nice room & heated pool. Excellent staff. Very affordable, a lot of attention to details & in walking distance from good restaurants. We really enjoyed our stay & will be back. Thank you.