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Sands by The Sea

Property class: 2

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Photo gallery for Sands by The Sea

A coastal landscape with a beach, waves, and vegetation. - Sands by The Sea (San Simeon)
A group of people around a fire pit by the ocean at sunset. - Sands by The Sea (San Simeon)
A hotel room with a large bed, two bedside tables with lamps, a ceiling fan, a TV on a wooden stand, and a window with curtains. - Sands by The Sea (San Simeon)
A hotel room with a wooden desk, a black office chair, a microwave, and a television. - Sands by The Sea (San Simeon)
A sign with "Sands by the Sea" and an American flag, with a welcome message. - Sands by The Sea (San Simeon)
Take advantage of a gym, a business center, and a full-service spa at Sands by The Sea. Treat yourself to a Swedish massage or other spa services. The on-site restaurant, Cavalier Coastal Kitchen, features a beachfront location. Stay connected with free in-room WiFi, and guests can find other amenities such as a bar.

Reviews

8.2 out of 10
Very good

Popular amenities

  • Free WiFi

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Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 2 of 2 rooms

View all photos for Standard Room, 1 King Bed

A hotel room with a bed, desk, chair, TV, and a ceiling fan.

Standard Room, 1 King Bed

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

View all photos for Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds

A hotel room with two beds, a desk, a chair, a TV, and a ceiling fan.

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds

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

About the neighborhood

Located in San Simeon, Sands by The Sea is near the beach. Hearst Castle is a notable landmark, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Moonstone Beach and Moonstone Beach Park. Cambria State Marine Park and Coastal Discovery Center at San Simeon Bay are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with windsurfing, surfing/body boarding, and fishing nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking/biking trails. Visit our San Simeon travel guide
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Map
9355 Hearst Dr, San Simeon, CA, 93452

What's nearby

  • A beach with numerous sea lions resting on the sand.
    San Simeon State Park
    8 min walk - 0.5 miles
  • A coastal landscape with waves crashing onto rocks, a distant shoreline with buildings, and a mountain range in the background.
    Moonstone Beach
    5 min drive - 3.8 miles
  • A coastal landscape with a sandy beach, rocky cliffs, and a view of the ocean with waves crashing onto the shore.
    Moonstone Beach Park
    6 min drive - 4.3 miles
  • A historic building with two towers, palm trees, and a well-maintained garden.
    Hearst Castle
    36 min drive - 12.0 miles
  • Cambria State Marine Park
    2 min walk - 0.1 miles

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • Main Street Grill
    6 min drive
  • Cambria Coffee Roasting Company
    6 min drive
  • Moonstone Beach Bar & Grill
    5 min drive
  • Mojo’s Village Bean
    8 min drive
  • Big Sur Restaurant
    7 min walk

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Property amenities

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

Restaurants on site

  • Cavalier Coastal Kitchen

Things to do

  • 2 outdoor pools
  • Full-service spa
  • Gym

Family friendly

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

Conveniences

  • Free newspapers in lobby
  • Safe at front desk
  • Vending machine

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (on request)

Business services

  • Business center

Outdoors

  • Direct access to the beach

Full-service spa

  • Deep-tissue massages
  • Hot stone massages
  • Prenatal massages
  • Spa open daily
  • Sports massages
  • Swedish massages

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

More

  • 2 floors
  • Smoking not allowed

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided
  • Blackout drapes

Bathroom

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

Entertainment

  • LCD TV with satellite premium channels

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 stay free
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
1 total pets

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Property payment types

  • American Express
  • Diners Club
  • Discover
  • JCB International
  • Mastercard
  • Visa

Important information

Optional extras

  • 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

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

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

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
Reservations are required for massage services and spa treatments; reservations can be made by contacting the property prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
The property has connecting/adjoining rooms, which are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property using the number on the booking confirmation

Frequently asked questions

Does Sands by The Sea have a pool?

Yes, this property has 2 outdoor pools.

Is Sands by The Sea pet-friendly?

Yes, this motel allows pets (limit 1 total).

How much is parking?

Self parking is free at this property.

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

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

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

Check-out is at 11:00 AM. Late check-out is available for USD 150.

Where is Sands by The Sea located?

Offering direct access to the beach, this San Simeon motel is 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 mi (5 km).

Can I cancel my reservation for free and receive a full refund?

Yes, this property offers free cancellation on select room rates, because flexibility matters! Please refer to the property cancellation policy on our site for more details about any exclusions or requirements.

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Reviews

Sands by The Sea Reviews

8.2

Very Good

8.0

Cleanliness

4.0

Location

8.6

Staff & service

7.6

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 499 out of 1002 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 242 out of 1002 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 145 out of 1002 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 65 out of 1002 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 51 out of 1002 reviews

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Friendly staff, cookies and coffee in the lobby. Clean rooms, easy access to the Highway and surrounding areas. Close to Hearst Castle and beaches.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This is a great place for dog owners, the rooms are perfect for that, and pretty nice for humans too. We have stayed here before
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
The staff was friendly. The place is older but nice and clean. The price is right. We would stay there again.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Good place to reach to beach.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Staff & service, amenities
Staff was amazing and super helpful, the hotel we stayed at was a “sister” hotel of the Cavalier, not bad for the price. The property itself is a bit outdated, outlets were broken & loose making it hard to charge any electronics, but the plus is being a sister facility you are able to utilize all of the amenities of the Cavalier hotel as well.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The lady who checked us in was personable and helpful. Beach fires were nice. We enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location. Very clean rooms. Staff super helpful and friendly.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Nice location for a drive up Pacific Coast Highway or a visit to Hearst Castle. The restaurant on property is nice, with good food and fair prices (there are limited dining options in San Simeon. Close to the beach. Quiet. Not modern. Parking lot needs repair. Staff is exceptionally nice and on duty 24 hours per day.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful hidden gem right on the ocean! We walked 150 feet to the water, and at night several large stone and clay "chimenea's" were each stocked nightly with 100 pounds of wood. Upon arrival, the surprise bottle of champagne was unexpected and much appreciated. Having coin operated laundry facilities was a major plus. Finally, the restaurant on-site is quite good with a very diverse menu and very friendly staff. Love this place!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Really loved this location. So relaxing and laid back while the property and staff were excellent. No breakfast but good coffee. The restaurant service was slow but to be expected after a beautiful sunset crowd arrived.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Direct beach access, quiet
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was really clean, just perfect for a weekend trip
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Near ocean, Next time go to there, I will go to there with dogs.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2026
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Liked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Staff & service
Great location. Room walls were a little thin. You could hear everybody next-door. went to the lobby during the day to ask for recommendations for restaurants and the staff was not very helpful. They acted like they were being bothered. Fire pits outside are amazing and there is a great view.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice view of the sea
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
My favorite economy hotel in San Simeon! Dog friendly is very nice. Beautiful property have been staying there over 15 years now! Thank you Sands for a wonderful get away.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great place to stay with kids. Outdoor games and right on the ocean
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Loved my stay there. Beautiful location and view. Awesome staff specially the front desk Lady-evening shift. Super sweet and helpful.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Amazing cozy place, especially for this price! The staff is super nice and friendly, absolutely loved the ocean in the back with fire pits! Loved that it’s dog friendly too!
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This is a great property! Staff is wonderful!! Great price for the location!!
Stayed 1 night in May 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
We appreciated that the property was pet friendly! Being on the sea-side of the highway was also very convenient to watch the sunset. The staff were accommodating with early check in. There are no “ocean-facing” rooms with Sands by the Sea however. There wasn’t an obvious safe in the room. Attempted to get WiFi to work, but was unsuccessful.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
loved the bon fire and views
Stayed 1 night in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Amazing view,
Stayed 4 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This was our second stay when passing thru San Simeon , such a wonderful affordable place to stop at for the night or more. We especially enjoy the location which is almost on the shore, easy parking, and love our evening walks around the grounds. Hospitality was great , only thing is that breakfast ended too early for us. We’ll be back😊.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We enjoy this property. A lot of amenities and close proximity to the beach. Friendly staff.
Stayed 1 night in May 2026