Best Hotels in Pismo Beach

Check out my list below of the best hotels in Pismo Beach, Ca.

These hotels are best value hotels, the places that will give you the biggest bang for your buck.

Let's expand our definition of "best" a little more so that we know we are on the same page...and so you know you're on the correct page...

DEFINITION: Best Hotels in Pismo Beach California

When you say "BEST" hotels, what is it exactly that you mean?

Because, in my opinion, the best hotels on the central coast are places that are the best "value".

Right? They're nice hotels...clean, modern, great customer service, and near the beach and pier area. They also have many amenities like breakfast, coffee, pool, and especially, a hot tub (maybe that's just me but a hot tub jacuzzi is a REQUIREMENT).

What the best hotels in Pismo Beach are NOT...

1. The best hotels are not...Luxury resorts that will cost you an arm and a leg and a first born child. Oh sure, staying in a Pismo Beach luxury resort is fun once in a while but unless you are very wealthy (I'm not) you're probably looking for lodging that is more affordable. Therefore, luxury lodging does not fit my definition of "best hotels in Pismo Beach".
   
   
2. The best hotels are not...Low end, cheap, and in need of a few upgrades. Not that there's anything wrong with staying in a cheap hotel. They have their place and serve their purpose. I've stayed in them many times because, you know, I love to save a few bucks when I can. In fact, I have a whole page devoted to cheap Pismo hotels here. But they don't fit my definition of BEST hotels in Pismo Beach because, well, they're just not upscale enough.
   
   
3. The best hotels are not...Ten miles from the Pismo pier, beach and shopping areas. Nope, if you're going to stay in Pismo Beach, you want be relatively close to the main part of town where the fun is...the pier, the shopping, and the restaurants.

With all that being said, let's get right into my top 10 best hotels in Pismo Beach...

Top 10 Best Pismo Hotels

Below are my top 10 best value hotels in Pismo Beach. Like Goldilocks said, "not to expensive, not too cheap, but just right". That's an exact quote.

Most of these accommodations will cost you around $150 to $350 depending on the type of room, time of year, and day of the week. Obviously, weekends and summers are higher priced. At super busy times, you might see these hotels reach the $500 range.

In no particular order...

SeaCrest Oceanfront Hotel

The SeaCrest is one of the most popular hotels in Pismo Beach. 

It's a beautiful hotel with great customer service. It also has many amenities including free breakfast, pool, hot tub, beach access, terraces, and barbecues.

They also are pet friendly and have an on-site restaurant and bar.

It's about 10 blocks north of the Pismo pier area.

seacrestpismo.com   805.773.4608

Inn at the Pier

Inn at the Pier is one of the newest and nicest hotels in Pismo. Prices can sometimes get a little high but I decided to let it squeak into my list, mainly because of its location.

It's close to the pier and Pomeroy Ave shopping areas (like, SUPER close) and many of the rooms have balconies with ocean views. It has a restaurant on-site (although there are several within walking distance also).

My favorite thing about Inn at the Pier is their cool outside upper deck with a pool, hot tub, and patio area. Order a few drinks and relax while overlooking the pier, beach, and sunset.

theinnatthepier.com   805-295-5565

Kon Tiki Inn

When you stay at Pismo's Kon Tiki Inn you might find yourself wondering if you accidentally ended up in Waikiki.

The beautiful curving architecture of this hotel slowly wraps around the outdoor pool and hot tub area with magnificent views of the Pacific Ocean and sandy Pismo beach.

They provide a free continental breakfast and there is a quality restaurant on-site plus a bar and health club. 

About 7 or 8 blocks north of the Pismo pier area.

*No Pets *No Smoking

kontikiinn.com    805-773-4833

Shore Cliff Hotel

If your the type of person who isn't interested in getting that sand in your shoes and salt water in your ears, Shore Cliff may be the place for you.  It's perfect for those who would rather avoid the beach, grab a good book, and sit high up on a cliff overlooking the Pacific. They'll even provide the book with their take-one/leave-one mini library.

They named the Shore Cliff perfectly...It's high up on a CLIFF next to the SHORE. Makes sense.

It's a beautiful hotel where every room has a view of the ocean.  Enjoy the large heated pool, hot tub, and the grassy park-like setting that leads to the famous Shore Cliff overlook.

Also enjoy their tennis courts, bocci ball court, and fitness room.

It's located about one mile north of the Pismo Beach pier and shops. No restaurant on-site but Ventana Grill is nearby.

Pet friendly. Suites available.

shorecliff.com    805-773-4671

Inn at the Cove

Not to be confused with Inn at the Pier.  Inn at the Cove is about 1 mile north of the Pismo Beach downtown and pier area.

Set high up on the edge of the bluffs with a pool, hot tub, and beautiful outdoor area. You can take the beach access staircase down to a small secluded beach area.

Free breakfast, pet friendly.

No restaurant on-site but Ventana Grill and Shell Beach eateries are nearby.

innatthecove.com     805-773-3511

Oxford Suites Pismo Beach

Oxford Suites is an excellent opportunity to stay in a classy hotel but at a slightly lower price.

It's location is several blocks away from the beach and seashore and that means lower prices. But they absolutely did not skimp on quality when the built this beautiful hotel.

It's approximately 1 mile from the Pismo pier and only one block from the Pismo Outlet Center and several restaurants.

Enjoy a free breakfast each morning, the bar/cantina on-site, fitness center, and heated pool with children's wading pool.

Non-smoking hotel. Pet friendly.

oxfordsuitespismobeach.com    805.773.3773

Sandcastle Hotel on the Beach

One of the newer Pismo Beach hotels located close to the center of things.

Beachfront, oceanfront, restaurant on-site, close to pier and downtown Pismo, private terraces/balconies, and a big beautiful patio area with fire pits bordering the beach.

No pool. No hot tub. No pets allowed.

sandcastlehotelonthebeach.com     (805) 773-2422

Dolphin Cove Motel

The Dolphin Cove Motel is not as slick and classy as others on this list of best hotels in Pismo Beach. It's an older hotel with some slightly older furnishings and decorating.  BUT...the location is hard to beat.

It's pretty much touching the sand and the seawall. Of all the Pismo hotels that are beach front, this one is the least expensive.  And that's why I wanted to include in in this list.  It has less frills but it will also cost you a bit less.

The pier, the Pomeroy Ave shopping and restaurants, AND the Price St restaurants are all within walking distance.

No pool and no hot tub (no one's perfect) but they do have a nice outdoor patio area overlooking the beach.

So, if you want a hotel close to the beach and downtown areas AND you want to save a few bucks, this is your place.

*No Pets Allowed

dolphincovemotel.com      (805) 773-4706

Edgewater Inn & Suites

The Edgewater is another older hotel near the pier area and with prices near the low end. Rooms have recently been updated with fresh paint and new flooring as well as newer furniture.

It's just a couple blocks north of the pier and shopping areas. It's slightly up on a bluff with staircase access to the beach and volleyball courts.

Enjoy a large pool, hot tub, complementary bakery items twice per day, along with coffee, in the lobby.

Pet Friendly.

edgewater-inn.com     (805) 773-4811

Beach House Inn & Suites

For my 10th and final hotel on the list of best hotels in Pismo Beach I'm going with Beachhouse Inn & Suites.

It's actually a little bit outside my price range for this list, sometimes reaching as much as $400 plus, but it is a super nice hotel, built recently. And if you really, really like your suite, you can buy it and move in permanently. It's more of a condominium than a hotel.

It has a great location, just a couple blocks from the pier and beach.

pismoinn.com     805-773-7476

SUMMARY: Best Hotels in Pismo Beach, California

So there you have it, my list of the best hotels in Pismo Beach. 

If I were to add a couple of honorable mentions, I would add the Quality Inn (formerly The Rose Garden Inn) a decent hotel with pool, hot tub, and close to Pismo Outlets. 

The 2nd would be Cottage Inn By The Sea, an absolutely beautiful hotel designed after the English cottages complete with shrub gardens, pool, hot tub, and is close to the sea.

So, grab one of those best hotels in Pismo Beach and I'LL SEE YOU THERE!