Sands by The Sea

2.0 star property

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for Sands by The Sea

A coastal landscape with a beach, waves, and vegetation.
A group of people around a fire pit by the ocean at sunset.
A sign with "Sands by the Sea" and an American flag, with a welcome message.
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.
A hotel room with a wooden desk, a black office chair, a microwave, and a television.

Reviews

8.2 out of 10
Very good

Popular amenities

  • Free WiFi
The current price is $124
$110 nightly
$124 total
Total with taxes and fees
Aug 5 - Aug 6

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
    ‪36 min drive‬

Room options

Standard Room, 1 King Bed

8.4 out of 10
Very good
(111 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free WiFi

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(95 reviews)
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds
  • Free WiFi

DOUBLE TWO QUEEN BEDS

  • Sleeps 4
  • Free WiFi

Double king size bed

  • 215 sq ft
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free WiFi

DOUBLE KING SIZE BED

  • Sleeps 4
  • Free WiFi

Similar properties

About the neighborhood

San Simeon

When you stay at Sands by The Sea in San Simeon, you'll be by the ocean, within a 10-minute drive of Moonstone Beach Park and Moonstone Beach. .This beach motel is 8.4 mi (13.5 km) from Hearst Castle and 0.1 mi (0.2 km) from Cambria State Marine Park.

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 - 5 min drive - 3.8 miles
  • Moonstone Beach Park - 6 min drive - 4.3 miles
  • Hearst Castle - 36 min drive - 12.0 miles

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • ‪Main Street Grill - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Luigi’s Pizza - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Cambria Coffee Roasting Company - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Linn's Bakery & Eatery - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Big Sur Restaurant - ‬8 min walk

About this property

Sands by The Sea

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.

2 outdoor swimming pools are on site along with a fitness center.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.

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.
Make yourself at home in one of the 33 guestrooms featuring refrigerators and microwaves. LCD televisions with satellite programming provide entertainment, while complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include desks and coffee/tea makers, and housekeeping is provided on request.
Relax at the full-service spa, where you can enjoy massages. You're sure to appreciate the recreational amenities, which include 2 outdoor pools and a fitness center. This motel also features complimentary wireless internet access and a vending machine.
Enjoy a satisfying meal at Cavalier Coastal Kitchen serving guests of Sands by The Sea. Cooked-to-order breakfasts are available daily from 7:00 AM to 11:30 AM for a fee.
Featured amenities include a business center, complimentary newspapers in the lobby, and a safe deposit box at the front desk. Free self parking is available onsite.
Cooked-to-order breakfasts are available for a surcharge and are served each morning between 7:00 AM and 11:30 AM.
Cavalier Coastal Kitchen - This restaurant is located on the beach. Guests can enjoy drinks at the bar. Open daily.

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 premium cable/satellite 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
Rollaway/extra beds are not available

Property payment types

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

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

Sands by The Sea Reviews

Reviews

8.2

Very Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 500 out of 1020 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 257 out of 1020 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 149 out of 1020 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 65 out of 1020 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 49 out of 1020 reviews

8.0/10

Cleanliness

8.8/10

Staff & service

8.0/10

Amenities

7.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Alla

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This hotel has a beautiful location and very comfortable beds. The staff were friendly and welcoming, always making sure we had everything we needed.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Nick

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Clean rooms nice staff
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Cheryl

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
There is really not a better hotel for the price in the Central Coast area. The staff is always exceptional, the property is beautiful (LOVE the fire pits!), and the restaurant is reasonable with a decent menu. Highly recommend!!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Gary

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Decent for the location
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Jimmy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Everything was excellent thank you
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Bruce

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
Rooms were a little tired but on the over all is was great. Awesome water pressure in shower. The fire pit was great in the evening
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Christen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I love it here. Affordable and by the beach.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Kerry

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful location.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Laurel

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Love staying at the sands by the sea/cavilier... Very clean...quite...polite and helpful staff....the restaurant has a great menu and very nice wait staff...pools and hot tubs are great...nice beach access...the weather was great....close by Cambria and Hearst Castle...the wildlife was wonderful this trip...the zebras were out and grazing. Hwy 1 is open and the scenery was wonderful.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Christie Mae

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Great amenities (pool, heated jacuzzi, volleyball, fire pit, outdoor games)
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Israel

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great hotel for the price. We did a weekend getaway with our toddler and puppy both enjoyed. Best part is the beautiful views from the courtyard. Staff were helpful and friendly. Overall a great hotel with a peaceful atmosphere.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Min

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Good location
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Ray

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Clean rooms , customer fruendly staff and great ocean view .
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Jon

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We love it here. Very affordable for decent rooms and an amazing location. The extras of having fires at night above the beach make it worth every penny!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Eliana

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Every thing is good
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Fabian

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Parking is good
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Pedro

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great staff ll
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2026
Verified review

4/10 Poor

Aldo

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Amenities
Clean decent rooms with absolutely no view of the ocean. Staff was friendly and very helpful and tried to be accommodating with the very c***** room I got
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Julie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Sunset on the beach was the best!!
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Alberto

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Staff are amazing , room was clean
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Teresa

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Friendly and helpful staff. Restaurant conveniently located there. Room was spacious and comfortable. Pet friendly. Lovely property. The beach is in the back! Nice firepits are lit at sunset.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Anna Maria

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Friendly staff and nice amenities
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

tina

Liked: Cleanliness
Quiet, clean and comfortable
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Laura

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Everything, I loved this placed
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Michael

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Clean rooms, attentive staff.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025