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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

Beach
Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds | Room amenity
BBQ/picnic area
Front of property
Standard Room | Desk, blackout drapes, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Reviews

8.2 out of 10
Very good

Popular amenities

  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

View in a map
9355 Hearst Dr, San Simeon, CA, 93452
  • Place, Cambria State Marine Park
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, San Simeon State Park
    ‪6 min walk‬
  • Place, Hearst Castle
    ‪25 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Standard Room, 1 King Bed

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

Standard Room, 1 King Bed

8.2 out of 10
Very good
(95 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds

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

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds

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

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

  • Cambria State Marine Park - 3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • San Simeon State Park - 6 min walk - 0.4 miles
  • Moonstone Beach - 4 min drive - 4.1 miles
  • Moonstone Beach Park - 4 min drive - 4.3 miles
  • Hearst Castle - 25 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
  • ‪Main Street Grill - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Linn's Bakery & Eatery - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪JJ's Pizza - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Moonstone Beach Bar & Grill - ‬5 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

Beach nearby
The Morgan San Simeon - Cambria by Hearst Castle
  • Pool
  • Breakfast included
  • Pet friendly
  • Parking included
4.3 out of 5, Excellent, 1,248 reviews
$85 nightly
The price is $96
Jan 25 - Jan 26
Total with taxes and fees
The Morgan San Simeon - Cambria by Hearst Castle

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
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

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 Jan 15, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Sands by The Sea on Jan 18, 2026 start from $79.0, 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 Swedish massages.

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

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

Sands by The Sea Reviews

Reviews

8.2

Very Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 475 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 280 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 139 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 59 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 48 out of 1001 reviews

7.8/10

Cleanliness

8.6/10

Staff & service

8.0/10

Amenities

7.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

David

Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kathleen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Robert

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The staff was friendly and helped us out after we left an item in our room after leaving. Would definitely stay again on our next trip.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Arina

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

ROXANNE, Youngstown

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

2/10 Terrible

David

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Ragged furniture filthy windows nasty shower curtain rusty fixtures, etc.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

2/10 Terrible

Soheyl, ALISO VIEJO

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
I stayed at this motel hoping for a budget-friendly, no-frills experience. What I got was a crash course in neglect. The room looked like it hadn’t been updated since the early 2000s—if not earlier. The carpet was a striped relic, fraying at the edges and clashing with the mismatched flooring transition strip. The cabinetry was chipped and swollen at the base, likely from years of water damage or poor maintenance. One drawer wouldn’t close properly, and the kickboard was literally falling apart. The door barely latched, and the furniture felt like it had survived multiple moves without a single touch-up. Even the fridge looked like it belonged in a breakroom from a forgotten office building. It’s the kind of place where you keep your shoes on—not just in the bathroom, but everywhere. If you’re nostalgic for the golden age of neglect, this place delivers. Otherwise, spend the extra $20 and find somewhere that doesn’t feel like a set from a low-budget horror film.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

6/10 Okay

Han Na

Traveled with family
Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Prt friendly
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

4/10 Poor

Francis

Traveled with group
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Locked out.

Parking was free and safe. Easy to access the property. The room was generally clean. There is not air conditioning at this property and it had a musty smell. The carpet was filthy! My socks turned dirty from the bathroom to the bed. The room keys deactivated every single day and we were locked out of our room every night of our 3 day stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Janet

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

This hotel has wonderful staff!

The reception staff are wonderful: very helpful and professional. Our room was very clean, but TBH, the carpet needs to be replaced as it is very, very dirty and stained. I would stay here again because the location is great!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Amy

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
The staff is amazing and almost worth coming. As is the view and the chance to have smores at the firepit. The hotel is very dated. Very poor circulation in the room and the inability to open the window was very frustrating. Bath is very small and is only compounded by the shower curtain being so close you lose a 1/3 for the space. For the price you get what you get but could use some basic upgrades. Also the gym is not open until 9 am which kind of sucks.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025

4/10 Poor

Erik

Traveled with family
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The room had no AC just a ceiling fan would have been ok if we could open the window more than 2”. The room was warm to hot the air in the room was dead. We had to keep the door to the room open which some drunk neighbors almost came into our room. The view of the ocean in the morning was beautiful. Kids had fun with the heated pool and checkers board. Fire pits at night where nice.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

6/10 Okay

Amber, Fresno

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Staff is amazing. The room honestly could use a little refresh. There’s no AC, and the heater isn’t the most efficient. There was a chair in our room that was very worn and torn. Beds were just ok. You can really hear people walking around outside but it’s actually pretty quiet after 9pm. We enjoyed the area, but on the first night they only had one fire pit lit. All in all I did enjoy my stay but the room is definitely dated.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ruben

Liked: Staff & service
It was a nice place to stay.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

Susan

Traveled with group
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The room was just ok. There was no air conditioning and the room was musty. I woke with a headache. Coffee was not available in reception until 7:00 a.m. The outside area around the beach was excellent. The lady who checked us in was very friendly and made recommendations for shopping and eating.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Cheryl

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Hotel is right on the water, Beautiful sunset!!!
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Bruce

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kelly

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ellen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Paul, Hanford

Traveled with group, Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I liked it it was nice the room was clean. I wished the windows would open more but it was fine
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

John

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The staff at check in made me feel welcomed, they were attentive to my questions, professional, coupled with that home town hospitality. Made me feel like a regular although it was my first visit. Made an impression on me.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

6/10 Okay

Gunhilde

Traveled with family
The best part are the fire pits by the ocean
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

julia

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We enjoyed our stay! Check in at cavalier resort, then we stayed in a clean but admittedly outdated room on the sands by the sea side. The property had a restaurant which we dined out- nothing fancy but it was up to my standard and a fair priced. The property was awesome and we loved sitting by the fireplace after sunset. Convenient location for visiting Hearst castle and Cambria. I would definitely stay here again- good experience and good value!
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kevin

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Carpet was so dirty that we had to wash our feet - which turned the cloth brown - after showering. Carpet was stained and felt wet in spots. We travel frequently and have never had a room that had carpet this disgusting.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Robin

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