Sandcastle Hotel on the Beach

It’s all about taking in the amazing views of the spectacular California coast at this cozy, three-story hotel that sits directly on Pismo Beach. Even though it’s a limited-service property, the Sandcastle Inn has a mini-resort feel, with two sprawling decks overlooking the beach complete with fire pits and cozy furniture. Inside, the modest lobby has been nicely updated with sand-colored tile and walls. The breakfast room is an inviting, two-story space with large windows and a gas fireplace. It gets quite crowded during peak times in high season, but it's got plenty of seating with overflow tables outside. The beach is a busy one located in a top tourist area, but this friendly hotel stays relaxed and relatively peaceful. Expect to see both couples and families staying here making the most of their vacation days. 

The Sandcastle Inn enjoys a superior location directly on Pismo Beach in the heart of the charming town’s downtown sector. The town’s marquee attraction, the Pismo Beach Pier, is a four-minute stroll along the beach. Tons of restaurants and shops surround the Pier. Several other hotels are also in the immediate area. The Monarch Butterfly Grove is only a three-minute drive, and the Pismo Beach Premium Outlets is five minutes away by car. It features everything from Polo Ralph Lauren to Coach and Tommy Hilfiger. It’s a scenic drive roughly one hour north on US 101 to the iconic Hearst Castle, and 15 minutes to the San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport. 

Thanks to a complete makeover in 2017, guest rooms at Sandcastle Inn reflect a cheerful, casual, beachy style perfectly suited to their surroundings. A Cali mid-century vibe carries through the rooms, with blond wood furniture, striped bedding, and some jubilant pops of orange. Surf-themed artwork adds another playful detail, and even the two-tone gray carpet has a subtle wave pattern. Bathrooms are also quite stylish and include striking chevron tile in shades of gray lining glass walk-in showers. Bathrooms also hold crisp white ceramic vanities and huge backlit mirrors that provide excellent lighting. The King Room we photographed was exceptionally spacious and included a roomy desk with an upholstered chair. A small oval table and chair gave yet another surface. The Sandcastle's six suites add balconies and sleeper sofas as well. Many other rooms also have private balconies or patios with outstanding ocean views, but others simply have a window overlooking the parking lot. The renovation added remote-controlled air-conditioning to each room. Other standard amenities include Keurig coffeemakers, mini-fridges, robes, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. Suites add microwaves. Some ambient noise from the busy beach or adjacent streets can be heard at times, but the rooms are generally quiet.  

While it's stylish and well situated, Sandcastle Inn remains a limited-service hotel. There's no full restaurant or bar on the premises, no gym, and -- perhaps most notably -- no pool. However, the property is outfitted with large decks on the second and third floors that offer sweeping ocean views and fantastic sunsets. They have fire pits, heat lamps, and comfy outdoor furniture.On-site dining is simply a free continental breakfast as well as free coffee and fruit all day. Guests can also look forward to fresh-baked cookies in the afternoon and free newspapers on weekdays. For other quick pick-me-ups, a small on-site convenience store sells sundries, snacks, and soft drinks. Parking and Wi-Fi are free, and a guest computer in the lobby is available 24/7. Valet dry cleaning and laundry services are available, too.