Shell Beach Inn

Hotels
9.2 (564 reviews)
653 Shell Beach Road , Pismo Beach , us
+1 805-773-4373

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Free
Children allowed

Facilities

WiFi available
Free WiFi
Parking
Free Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Air conditioning
Swimming pool
Heating
Luggage storage
Express check-in/check-out
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Friendly staff
Comfortable rooms
Good location
Clean facilities
Thoughtful amenities
Cons:
Cleanliness issues
Noise disturbances

Categories

Cleanliness
8.1
Room cleanliness received mixed reviews due to issues with flies and cleanliness in the shower.
Service
9.57
Staff received high praise for their hospitality and helpfulness.
Location
9.61
Guests highlighted the great location with easy access to the beach and nearby amenities.
Room Quality
9.56
Rooms were described as cozy and comfortable, with positive feedback on the overall aesthetics.
Amenities
9.09
The motel offered a nice pool and complementary items such as bottled water and snacks.
Value for Money
9.05
Guests felt the pricing was fair for the experience offered.
Food and Beverage
8.6
No specific mentions regarding food and beverage but adequate offerings in the area.
Overall Experience
9.98
Overall feedback was highly positive with many guests eager to return.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-07 15:08

Property Description

Convenient Location

Located in Pismo Beach, Shell Beach Inn is in close proximity to popular attractions such as Clark Center for the Performing Arts and Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa. With California Polytechnic State University just 20 km away, our hotel offers a central location for both leisure and business travelers.

Comfortable Accommodation

Each room at Shell Beach Inn features modern amenities including a flat-screen TV, air conditioning, and a private bathroom with free toiletries. Some rooms even offer a relaxing patio for guests to unwind after a day of exploring the nearby beaches.

Nearby Beaches

Guests can enjoy easy access to Shelter Cove Beach, Margo Dodd Park Beach, and Eldwayen Ocean Park Beach, perfect for soaking up the sun or taking a leisurely stroll along the coast.

Ready to experience a relaxing stay in Pismo Beach? Book your room at Shell Beach Inn now and make unforgettable memories by the beach.

Important information:

Late night arrivals can be arranged and will be charge prepayment of the full amount.Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.
Please inform of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.
A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM

Location

Guest Reviews

9.2
Based on 564 reviews
Cleanliness: 8.1
Service: 9.57
Location: 9.61
Room Quality: 9.56
Amenities: 9.09
Value for Money: 9.05
Food and Beverage: 8.6
Overall Experience: 9.98
C
CINDY • solo_traveller • us
10
This is what excellent looks like
Pros:

They had the room set up beautifully. It was very clean and everything you needed was in there

Cons:

I really needed a regular chair to sit in the high chairs. I cannot sit in them. So I just took a chair from outside and brought it in, it worked perfect. The chair was so comfortable.
You ready to eat

2026-08-29 • via Nuitee
L
Loretta • couple • us
10
Love love shell beach inn …. Location ambience everything
Pros:

Accommodating staff. Clean with nice aesthetics

Cons:

Nothing

2026-08-24 • via Nuitee
L
Lori • extended_group • us
9
Perfect for our drop off of my daughter to Cal Poly.
Pros:

Really cool decor and comfortable. Liked the separate bedroom and layout.

Cons:

We could hear the freeway

2026-08-24 • via Nuitee
D
Debbie • couple • us
10
Felt cozy, like we were staying in someone very nice guest room.
Pros:

Very nice, easy to find, very clean and has everything needed.

2026-08-13 • via Nuitee
D
Debra • couple • us
10
It was only one night, but it was very nice
Pros:

It was close to the Airbnb, where my kids were staying

Cons:

Everything was great

2026-08-07 • via Nuitee
W
Wheatley • solo_traveller • us
6
Pros:

Front desk lady was very helpful. Staff was also helpful.

Cons:

Bed was to soft.

2026-08-07 • via Nuitee
C
Cole • solo_traveller • us
10
Very clean and cared for place!
Pros:

Very cute and well kept property!

Cons:

We liked it all

2026-08-06 • via Nuitee
E
Elizabeth • couple • us
9
wonderful hotel
Pros:

beds super comfy great customer service!

2026-08-03 • via Nuitee
V
Vasquez • family_with_children • us
10
Family friendly & clean loved our stay
Pros:

Clean cute

2026-07-22 • via Nuitee
E
Elizabeth • family_with_children • us
8
Excellent stay, comfortable beds, cozy and cute atmosphere.
Pros:

The check in was very easy. No contact check in and clear communication and instructions on how to get keys. The property was very cute.

Cons:

All the propane tanks were empty in the pool area.

2026-07-20 • via Nuitee
T
Thorsten • family_with_children • de
10
Sehr schön und empfehlenswert!
Pros:

Sehr sauber, sehr freundliches Personal, Pool beheizt, Gastfreundschaft wird gelebt, kleine Aufmerksamkeiten im Zimmer bereit gelegt. Liebevoll arrangierte Betten.

2026-07-12 • via Nuitee
C
C467BGjimw • Family
8
Adequately small, compact and reasonably priced.
Pros:

The Shell Beach Inn was small and compact but met our needs for a reasonably priced motel to stay in while returning to our home in the Palm Springs area from Santa Rosa, CA.

2026-07-11 • via Tripadvisor
S
Stay611971 • Family
6
Just ok
Pros:

Positives:
-nice location- walking distance to kids park, nice restaurants, convenience store.
-free parking
-affordable rates
-easy checkin and checkout process
-small boutique hotel so everything is close by- parking, pool etc.

Cons:
-Room is very small and stuffy! Lack of adequate ventilation and lighting was a bummer! Esp. The hallway for hanging clothes and leaving luggage was dark.
-the AC worked on and off, not very well
-no ice machine. They give a small cooler every morning, which melts soon after.
-customer service is hit or a miss. One of the front desk ladies was very nice and pleasant but the other one was not.
-phone is only answered occasionally.
-our entire unit went dark due to a short circuit and it took them a good 15 mins to rest it.
-pool is very small!

Maybe it’s a good option for some people but not for our family. Sadly we will not be back.

2026-07-06 • via Tripadvisor
P
Paula • couple • us
9
Sweet place with nice touches.
Pros:

It’s small with about ten units. The room was quaint with lots of personal touches like a cheese board, glasses, and earplugs(it was not noisy).

Cons:

My inky recommendation would be to provide more shelving or drawers. We stayed three nights and that was a real limit
It’s also three blocks from the coast but not walking distance to a beach area.

2026-07-04 • via Nuitee
S
stephanie • family_with_children • us
10
2026-07-03 • via Nuitee
1
133josephz • Couples
10
We will be back
Pros:

We thoroughly enjoyed staying at the Shell Beach Inn. Our room was clean spacious and the amenities were great! We also like the individual style ofthe room that we stayed in. It was also an easy walk to local restaurants and stores.

2026-07-02 • via Tripadvisor
E
Emily • family_with_children • us
8
Pros:

Very cozy rooms

2026-07-01 • via Nuitee
J
Jason • couple • us
10
2026-06-28 • via Nuitee
J
juliajT9686XH • Family
10
Perfect getaway gem
Pros:

This is the perfect spot! Downtown Pismo can get a bit crazy. This is a quiet, laid-back community. The rooms were so cute, very clean, and had many extra amenities. The staff was amazing. Lori, the host, was so friendly, knowledgeable, and went over and above to make sure our stay was perfect. So much so, we thought she was one of the owners. Thank you Lori, and Shell Beach Inn, we will return!

2026-06-26 • via Tripadvisor
P
Pamela • solo_traveller • us
1
Skip this motel, very disappointing!!
Pros:

We didn't have to sleep in our suv, but probably should have and spent the $250 on gasoline!

Cons:

The bathtub drain was so slow when trying to take a shower, the water was up to the top ready to run on the floor!
I'm waiting for a return call after calling the front office. Also, can't leave a message as voice mail is FULL!!!!
No air conditioning just warm air blowing when turning on the fan!
You need to know this PRIOR to booking a room!
Be transparent on what the room has and doesn't!!!

2026-06-25 • via Nuitee