
By J.C. Thomas
Pismo Beach is the quintessential Central Coast beach town. Getaway perfection is found in Pismo’s setting, just off Highway 101, midway between LA and the Bay Area, with stunning oceanfront scenery and a relaxed, visitor-friendly vibe. These enticing attributes are all amplified when you stay at the Cliffs Hotel and Spa, a welcoming and luxurious property set on a high bluff over Shell Beach.
Almost all corners of the property, including most guest rooms and the swimming pool, boast expansive ocean views. The panorama is especially dazzling at sunset. Each evening, the hotel rings a bell in celebration of that enchanting, photogenic moment when the sun lands on the horizon. This is the beauty of a California oceanfront hotel – the invitation to take a mindful moment and observe the magic of the celestial cycle from one of the loveliest spots on Earth. At the Cliffs Hotel, you might do so from your private balcony or patio, an Adirondack chair on the oceanfront lawn, or maybe the hot tub.

Mornings at the hotel are a delight as well. Grab a coffee from the lobby and take a stroll along the wide walkway that follows the edge of a tall, rugged bluff. The loop path is about a 10-minute walk, but it’s a pleasure to slow your pace, especially if you have an otherwise activity-packed day ahead. Dense beds of succulents line the path, alive with bees and songbirds and punctuated by benches and viewpoints. You can see for miles up and down the coast, with sea birds and raptors circling up high in the typically bright blue skies.
Four steep flights of stairs lead down from the hotel property to Shell Beach, so add a beach adventure to your itinerary if that feels do-able. Or, plan a visit to the popular Avila Beach, 5 minutes north of the hotel. Downtown Pismo with its amusement-lined pier, wide sands and surf scene, is also just 5 minutes away by car.

The Cliffs Hotel and Spa is an ideal home base for exploring Pismo Beach with its excellent restaurants and boutiques, plus the wineries, hiking trails, golf courses, fishing spots and other attractions throughout San Luis Obispo County. For assistance with your dining or activity plans, consult the hotel’s on-site concierge.
Cliffs Hotel guestrooms and suites
The Cliffs Hotel and Spa offers 160 room options including 27 suites, each with a private balcony or patio and ocean or courtyard views. All the rooms and suites are designed with an open concept and feature a soaking tub in the Italian marble bathroom, a Keurig coffee maker, work station, and large HDTV with in-room movie system.

My family of four (two adults and two children) chose a signature ocean/pool room with two queen beds. These spacious rooms, all on the second floor or higher and facing north for premium views, are also available with one king bed, and some have fireplaces. The coast-inspired decor, with a color scheme of seafoam and sand, creates a serene vibe. This is enhanced when you open all the curtains for the freshest of breezes, sink into the plush bedding and savor the restful experience.
For larger, more exclusive accommodations, consider upgrading to a suite. Some offer wrap-around balconies and upper floor settings for panoramic views. Serena rooms on the fifth floor are reserved for adults only, while select rooms are dog-friendly, complete with a dog bed, water bowl and treats.
Guest services and luxurious amenities
One of the most enticing amenities at the Cliffs Hotel and Spa is the large, oceanfront pool area. In addition to the heated swimming pool, the area includes a hot tub and a seasonal bar offering poolside lunch and cocktail service. Enjoy quiet hours at the pool from 7 to 10 pm, ideal for sunset-gazing from the water or a lounger. The oceanfront lawn around the pool area offers Adirondack chairs and fire pits. It’s the location for year-round events such as complimentary Zumba classes.

The Spa at The Cliffs is a full-service spa with a comprehensive menu of beauty and wellness treatments. Spa guests enjoy complimentary champagne and herbal tea as well as access to a Finnish-style dry sauna. Luxury skincare products, clothing, jewelry, home goods and gifts are available at The Boutique at The Cliffs. There hotel also features a 24-hour fitness center.
Valet and self-parking options are available as well as EV charging stations. Call in advance to arrange a complimentary shuttle service to and from San Luis Obispo Airport or the Amtrak station.
Marisol at The Cliffs is the hotel’s on-site restaurant, offering indoor and outdoor seating. It’s open for brunch, lunch and dinner seven days a week and has a full bar with ocean views and big screens for watching sports. Executive chef Troy Tolbert emphasizes local ingredients in his creative menu items. Exemplary dishes include the acai bowl or filet mignon burrito at brunch, lunch fare like crispy fish tacos and Thai chicken lettuce wraps, and substantial dinner entrees such as pork tomahawk and lamb shank birria. Marisol’s menu is also available to hotel guests as room service.

Details
2757 Shell Beach Road, Pismo Beach, CA 93449
(805) 773-5000
Related: Discover Incredible Eats in SLO