Summer vacation is calling! Pack your bags; it’s time for a beach weekend (or week). We recommend booking your summer vacation at the coast now because beachside hotels fill up fast in the summer months! Especially the ones within walking distance to the beach. *Pro-tip, if you’re looking to get a great deal on your beachside stay, we recommend booking during the week and not during a holiday. Weekends and holidays tend to cost the most at any hotel compared to regular weekday rates. Now that you’re filled in on how to get the best deals, let’s jump into 5 of the best beach hotels on the Central Coast! (Added bonus all of the hotels below are within walking distance from the beach.) From Pismo Beach to Avila Beach to Cayucos to Santa Barbara, get ready to soak up some beach rays, and cool off with the fresh ocean breeze during your summer vacation.

1. Vespera Resort on Pismo Beach
Location: Pismo Beach, California
The first stop on our summer vacation hotel journey is a luxury hotel located in the classic beach town of Pismo Beach. This town is hopping during the summer with local surf lessons, dozens of incredible restaurants, and frequent classic car shows.
At Vespera Resort on Pismo Beach, go from swimming in a heated pool to swimming in the ocean within just a couple of steps! This slice of paradise in Pismo Beach will certainly help you splash into vacation mode. Embodying an upscale beach house-inspired design, Vespera Resort on Pismo Beach offers a fun, active, and stylish escape for guests to relax, unwind, and enjoy the best of this beach town. An onsite restaurant, the Somerset Grill, offers a unique menu highlighting “Coastal Heritage Inspired” cuisine, hand-crafted cocktails, and an extensive list of local beer and wines from Edna Valley and San Luis Obispo County. Dance your beach nights away with regular live music performances by local artists at the hotel. For any pet parents out there, they’re also dog-friendly!
Not sure of what to do here during your stay? You’ll want to take a look at their packages before you book! They offer packages that include tastings, spa days, and more. (Click here to learn more.) They also offer a local guide to activities like surfing, beach hikes, exploring the Monarch Grove and more. (View the complete guide here.)
Hotel Information
Vacation Perks: Dog-Friendly, Onsite Restaurant, Live Music
Phone: (805) 773-1011
Address: 147 Stimson Avenue, Pismo Beach, CA 93449
Book Your Stay

2. The Cliffs Hotel and Spa
Location: Pismo Beach, California
Looking to vacation with the family? This beachside hotel is a popular choice in Pismo Beach for families! This resort features 160 guest rooms and suites. Enjoy onsite dining at the Marisol, where they’re serving up incredibly fresh seafood dishes and hand-crafted cocktails. After dinner, splash into their heated pool with your kids and watch the sunset over the ocean. The beach is only steps away, making collecting seashells with the kids and building sandcastles a breeze!
Did we mention that they have an onsite spa, DiaFeliz Spa? That means your partner can watch the kids while you enjoy some well-deserved rest and relaxation. Trust us when we say, this spa offers it all! Choose from dozens of different options for massages, facials, waxing, and nail services. Their spa books quickly and is booking out more than two weeks in advance. So, we highly recommend placing a reservation with them before your trip.
Hotel Information
Vacation Perks: Dog-Friendly, Onsite Restaurant, Live Music
Phone: (805) 773-5000
Address: 2757 Shell Beach Road, Pismo Beach, CA 93449
Book Your Stay

3. Inn At Avila Beach
Location: Avila Beach, California
Just a hop away from the classic beach town of Pismo Beach, you’ll find Avila Beach. Home to one of the best dog beaches, in our opinion, Avila Beach is a great town for those looking for a slightly quieter beach experience (compared to Pismo Beach).
The Inn at Avila Beach is also conveniently right on the water, overlooking a postcard-worthy slice of the Pacific Ocean coastline. Enjoy breathtaking, panoramic views from your bedroom window. Then, once you’re ready to start exploring, grab a free Coffee House breakfast on their rooftop deck. So you can enjoy an ocean view while you dig into your meal. Throughout the day, you can help yourself to popsicles, popcorn, and freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. Did we mention that they also offer complimentary beach cruisers? Ride down the beach in style! Then, end your evening on a sweet note by grabbing some complimentary pie and ice cream at 8 PM. Looking for some Avila activities for your stay? Check out their guide to local attractions by clicking here.
Hotel Information
Vacation Perks: Complimentary Beach Cruisers, Complimentary Breakfast, Free Snacks
Phone: (805) 595-2300
Address: 256 Front Street, Avila Beach, CA 93424
Book Your Stay

4. On The Beach Bed & Breakfast
Location: Cayucos, California
A little further north up the coastline is the charming beach town of Cayucos. Despite its small size, this city packs a big punch when it comes to food and activities. Enjoy five-star dining or some of the best casual seafood you’ve ever had. There are also plenty of shops with surfboards, antique stores, and more. For families, there are also plenty of parks for kids and tennis courts for adults.
Just a short leap from the beach is where you’ll find On The Beach Bed & Breakfast, a small, family-owned business. On the Beach offers 14 spacious rooms with balconies that feature great views either of the beach or of downtown.
Start your day with a complimentary gourmet hot breakfast. Then relax on the private rooftop deck with other beachgoers or explore the town. (Please note, this deck is currently undergoing renovations.) Looking for a guide on things do to and try? Check out their guide to Cayucos by clicking here. Then wrap up your evening with a taste of local wines and beer with a complimentary sweet treat.
Hotel Information
Vacation Perks: Complimentary Gourmet Breakfast, Private Rooftop Deck
Phone: (805) 995-3200
Address: 181 N. Ocean Avenue, Cayucos, CA 93430
Book Your Stay

5. Hotel Californian
Location: Santa Barbara, California
Tucked between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, you’ll find the serene town of Santa Barbara. Located in the southern part of the Central Coast, it boasts a comfortable Mediterranean climate, with fertile valleys and deep historical roots. It also has an exciting (and growing) food & beverage scene, like the Funk Zone downtown and the Urban Wine Trail.
Once you step onto the property for Hotel Californian, you’ll feel like a star. This 121-room hotel is a magnet for the Hollywood elite and visitors, like yourself, from around the world. This luxury hotel features dazzling spaces from celebrity designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard, the iconoclastic enclave – part history, part imagination, and all Californian. Their individual suites intertwine classic Spanish Colonial Revival architecture with Moroccan influences and rare custom furnishings.
Start your day with a custom bike provided by the hotel during your stay. Bike to one of the local restaurants; there are dozens of them only a short distance away, and start your day with a full stomach. After spending a bit of time exploring, head back to the hotel’s spa, Majorelle. Receive a consultation from their Spa experts, and then try their aromatherapy, treatments, and oils inspired by Moroccan opulence; Majorelle offers signature experiences that are unique to this one-of-a-kind oasis. With 4 individual treatment rooms, men’s & women’s steam rooms, salt massages, baths, face & full-body treatments, and custom experiences, you’ll find yourself completely relaxed and refreshed.
Hotel Information
Vacation Perks: Onsite Spa, Complimentary Bikes
Phone: (805) 882-0100
Address: 36 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Book Your Stay

Transportation For Your Summer Vacation
Our transportation options for summer are filling up fast! Summer wine tours, craft beer tours, and distillery tours (not to mention our private charters to Tin City) are in high demand. With dates filling up quickly, if you’re looking for safe, and reliable transportation for your group, friends, or family for your summer vacation, we recommend booking sooner rather than later. Choose from a wide array of comfortable to luxury vehicles to cruise in, from our Limo Bus to our Mercedes Sprinter LandJet. Email Info@SLOSafeRide.com, or fill out the form below for a free transportation quote.