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Sands by The Sea

2.0 star property
Beach motel with 2 outdoor pools in San Simeon

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Photo gallery for Sands by The Sea

BBQ/picnic area
Lobby sitting area
Lobby
Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds | Desk, blackout drapes, iron/ironing board, free WiFi
Fitness facility

Reviews

8.2 out of 10
Very good

Popular amenities

  • Breakfast available

Explore the area

View in a map
9355 Hearst Dr, San Simeon, CA, 93452
  • Place, Moonstone Beach
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Place, Moonstone Beach Park
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Place, Hearst Castle
    ‪26 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds, No View

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds | Desk, blackout drapes, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds, No View

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(82 reviews)
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Standard Room, 1 King Bed, No View

Standard Room, 1 King Bed | Desk, blackout drapes, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Standard Room, 1 King Bed, No View

8.4 out of 10
Very good
(93 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

About the neighborhood

San Simeon

Steps from the beach.Your stay at this San Simeon motel places you within a 10-minute walk of Cambria State Marine Park and San Simeon State Park. San Simeon Nature Preserve and William Randolph Hearst State Park are also within 3 miles (5 km).
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What's nearby

  • San Simeon State Park - 1 min drive - 0.3 miles
  • Moonstone Beach - 5 min drive - 3.8 miles
  • Moonstone Beach Park - 5 min drive - 4.3 miles
  • San Simeon Pier - 5 min drive - 4.5 miles
  • Hearst Castle - 26 min drive - 8.8 miles

Getting around

  • San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP) - 58 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Cambria Coffee Roasting Company - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Linn's Bakery & Eatery - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Moonstone Beach Bar & Grill - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪JJ's Pizza - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Main Street Grill - ‬6 min drive

About this property

Sands by The Sea

Beach motel with 2 outdoor pools in San Simeon
Sands by The Sea offers its guests 2 outdoor swimming pools and a fitness center. There's a restaurant on site. There's an onsite business center.

Public spaces have free WiFi. The business-friendly Sands by The Sea also features a vending machine, coffee/tea in a common area, and complimentary newspapers in the lobby. Free self parking is available.

This San Simeon motel is smoke free.

  • 33 guestrooms or units
  • 2 levels
  • Business facilities
  • Breakfast available (surcharge)
  • Coffee in lobby
  • Front-desk safe
  • Newspapers in lobby (free)
  • No smoking on site
  • Dining venue
Sands by The Sea offers 33 accommodations with coffee/tea makers and hair dryers. LCD televisions come with premium satellite channels. Refrigerators and microwaves are provided. Bathrooms include shower/tub combinations and complimentary toiletries.

Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access. Business-friendly amenities include desks along with free local calls (restrictions may apply). Additionally, rooms include ceiling fans and blackout drapes/curtains. Housekeeping is offered on request and irons/ironing boards can be requested.

Guests can indulge in a pampering treatment at the motel's full-service spa. Services include deep-tissue massages, hot stone massages, sports massages, and Swedish massages. The spa is open daily.

Similar properties

Exterior

Cavalier Oceanfront Resort

  • Pool
  • Hot Tub
  • Pet friendly
  • Parking included
4.4 out of 5, Excellent, 1,743 reviews
$152 nightly
The price is $171
Oct 2 - Oct 3
Total with taxes and fees
Cavalier Oceanfront Resort

Property amenities

Family friendly

  • 2 outdoor pools
  • In-room microwave
  • In-room refrigerator

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Free self parking on site

Food and drink

  • Daily cooked-to-order breakfast available 7:00 AM to 11:30 AM for a fee: USD 5 to 30 for adults and USD 5 to 30 for children
  • A restaurant
  • Coffee and tea in common areas

Things to do

  • 2 outdoor pools
  • Full-service spa
  • Gym

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Braille/raised signage
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible pool
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk

Room amenities

Entertainment

  • LCD TV with premium cable/satellite channels

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided
  • Blackout drapes

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Shower/bathtub combination
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator

More

  • Ceiling fan
  • Connecting rooms available
  • Desk
  • Free local calls
  • Heating
  • Iron/ironing board on request

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 4 PM; Check-in end time: anytime
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out available
Late check-out fee: USD 150

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open Friday - Sunday (1:00 PM - 9:00 PM)
The check-in location differs from the property location; go to: [9415 Hearst Drive, San Simeon, California 93452]
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

  • Pets are welcome and stay free
  • Maximum 1 pets

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are not available.

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Fee for cooked-to-order breakfast: approximately USD 5 to 30 for adults, and USD 5 to 30 for children
  • Late check-out fee: USD 150

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Cashless transactions are available
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A credit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Diners Club, JCB International, and Carte Blanche. Cash is not accepted. Cashless payment methods are available for all transactions.

We should mention

  • Reservations are needed for massage services and spa treatments. For reservations, contact the motel before arrival using the contact information on the booking confirmation.
  • Connecting/adjoining rooms are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property at the number on your booking confirmation.

Property is also known as

Sands Sea Condo San Simeon
Sands Sea San Simeon
Sands By The Sea Hotel San Simeon
Sands Hotel San Simeon
Sands Motel San Simeon
Sands Sea Motel San Simeon
Sands Sea Motel
Sands Sea
Sands by The Sea Motel
Sands by The Sea San Simeon
Sands by The Sea Motel San Simeon

Frequently asked questions

How close is Sands by The Sea to the airport?

Sands by The Sea is 42 mi (58-min drive) away from the San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

How much does it cost to stay at Sands by The Sea?

As of Sep 25, 2025, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Sands by The Sea on Oct 1, 2025 start from $99.0, excluding taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

Does Sands by The Sea have an airport shuttle?

Airport shuttle services are not available at Sands by The Sea.

How close is Sands by The Sea to the beach?

This motel is 3.2 mi (5-min drive) from Moonstone Beach and 3.3 mi (4-min drive) from William Randolph Hearst Memorial Beach. Don't forget your sunscreen!

Does Sands by The Sea offer free breakfast?

Free breakfast isn’t offered at Sands by The Sea, but cooked-to-order breakfast is offered for a fee of between USD 5 and 30 for adults, USD 5 and 30 for children. It's available every day from 7:00 AM to 11:30 AM.

Is there a casino at Sands by The Sea?

No, there is no casino at this motel.

What time is check-in at Sands by The Sea?

Check-in start time: 4 PM; Check-in end time: anytime.

Is there free parking at Sands by The Sea?

This motel offers free self parking.

Does Sands by The Sea have a pool?

Sands by The Sea features 2 outdoor pools.

Does Sands by The Sea have a restaurant?

Sands by The Sea is home to Cavalier Coastal Kitchen, which features a beachfront location.

Does Sands by The Sea have a spa?

This motel has a spa, which features massages.

How close is Sands by The Sea to downtown San Simeon?

Sands by The Sea is 0.1 mi away from San Simeon.

Reviews

Sands by The Sea Reviews

8.2

Very Good

7.8/10

Cleanliness

8.4/10

Staff & service

8.0/10

Amenities

7.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.0/10

Eco-friendliness
Rating 10 - Excellent. 457 out of 1010 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 290 out of 1010 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 153 out of 1010 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 58 out of 1010 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 52 out of 1010 reviews

Reviews

6/10 Okay

Paul

Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Amelia Sanchez

Liked: Property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

David

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Amazing staff Especially Roxy!!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

David

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The place is amazing!! The staff is super friendly especially Roxy!!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Joni D.

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great stay

We had a great day at the Sands by the sea hotel. The room was very spacious clean and the bed was very comfortable clean bathroom great stay will come again.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

6/10 Okay

Verified traveler

Traveled with family
Older building needs an upgrade. Stained bed sheets. Musty smell
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

GABRIEL

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The coffee was not very good,reception was not very pleasant,a little rude,but otherwise good.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

6/10 Okay

Marie

Traveled with family
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities

Family of 6 trip to Hearst Castle

The hotel provided
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Alen

Traveled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This place was awesome, with a great view of the ocean, very friendly staff and very close to the Hearst Castle. Very enjoyable place with great amenities, unfortunately we weren't able to use it due to one night stay. great and fun to be there.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Laurent

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great location, clean, easy beach access
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Eric

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

4/10 Poor

carl

Traveled with family
Staff were not friendly or helpful
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Monica

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lucinda

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Cindy

Traveled with family
Liked: Amenities
Property staff was very pleasant. The amenities were wonderful. Location near restaurants, beach and a bodega.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Karen

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Good location, near Cambria and the Elephant Seal Viewpoint.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Sylvia

Liked: Amenities
Great place to see a sun set
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Rush

Business traveler, Traveled with partner, Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Excellent restaurant nearby
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jesus C

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Good customer service friendly staff.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

6/10 Okay

Michael

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
No comment
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

shane

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The staff was very friendly and helpful! Thank you for a wonderful stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lawrence

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice location and great. Views from the property.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lesley

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025