San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP) - 58 min drive
Restaurants
Main Street Grill - 6 min drive
Moonstone Beach Bar & Grill - 5 min drive
Linn's Restaurant - 8 min drive
The Spot - 7 min drive
Cambria Coffee Roasting Company - 6 min drive
About this property
Sands by The Sea
Motel near Moonstone Beach Park
Consider a stay at Sands by The Sea and take advantage of a gym, a business center, and a full-service spa. Treat yourself to a 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.
You'll also enjoy perks such as:
2 outdoor pools
Free self parking
Cooked-to-order breakfast (surcharge), coffee/tea in the lobby, and a vending machine
A front-desk safe, smoke-free premises, and free newspapers
Guest reviews speak highly of the helpful staff and location
Room features
All guestrooms at Sands by The Sea have amenities such as free WiFi. Guest reviews highly rate the clean rooms at the property.
Extra conveniences in all rooms include:
Heating and ceiling fans
Bathrooms with shower/tub combinations and free toiletries
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
Smoke-free property
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
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
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 at Sands by The Sea?
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).
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Sands by The Sea Reviews
Reviews
8.2
Very Good
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Rating 10 - Excellent. 455 out of 1008 reviews
10 - Excellent
455
Rating 8 - Good. 297 out of 1008 reviews
8 - Good
297
Rating 6 - Okay. 143 out of 1008 reviews
6 - Okay
143
Rating 4 - Poor. 63 out of 1008 reviews
4 - Poor
63
Rating 2 - Terrible. 50 out of 1008 reviews
2 - Terrible
50
7.8/10
Cleanliness
8.4/10
Staff & service
7.8/10
Amenities
7.4/10
Property conditions & facilities
8.0/10
Eco-friendliness
Reviews
8/10
We had a great time while on our trip, room was a lil dingy, rusty and outdated but very clean. Will definitely stay here again but maybe upgrade with a room with a view
guadalupe
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025
8/10
Location
Marc
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025
8/10
great location and amazing property, friendly staff. the room had hair al
Ricky
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025
8/10
Economical, clean and close to the shore.
Pedro
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025
10/10
Worked on price for additional stay if I decide to. I will be back, stayed at Cavalier before. Wonderful staff, great energy here and referred a potential guest who asked me about the property when we stepped out to see the sunset
Eva-Marie
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025
8/10
It is a peaceful and family-friendly place.
Lupe
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025
10/10
Loved the beach access and the way they have it set up beautiful
Nora
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025
8/10
It is a quiet place and the staff is very friendly.
Lupe
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025
10/10
A great stay along the coast. The front desk staff was very helpful.
Bryan
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025
10/10
Loved the property and you can hangout at the fire pits and there is a restaurant next door
nick
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025
8/10
By the beach
Tera
Stayed 1 night in May 2025
10/10
The area is well kept and beach access is great
Nora
8/10
We wanted a hotel close to Hearst Castle and this hotel was a great option. It was fairly priced compared to staying in Carmel which was more expensive. Not many dinner options around.
Linda
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025
10/10
I liked the firepits.
Lupita
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025
10/10
Excellent value. Wonderful location.
Aaron
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025
10/10
We liked the beach it was right behind Motel ..views were beautiful..
Martin
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025
10/10
The ocean is a few steps away …. Sunset was beautiful….
Cristina
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025
8/10
The shower water temperature is a bit tricky to adjust.
Silvia
Stayed 1 night in May 2025
10/10
I love this place… affordable for a last minute getaway. Fire pits to die for.
Amber
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025
10/10
Loved sitting by the fire pits and watching the sunset
Casey
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025
10/10
The property was beautiful
Matthew
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025
10/10
This place is just amazing. So close to the ocean you can easily walk there. We got married and stayed here so came back year later to celebrate.
Jazmine
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025
10/10
Always a fantastic stay!
Shelby
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024
10/10
Great place to stay.
craig
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024
10/10
This is an older property, but it's managed by its upscale neighbor (Cavalier Oceanfront Resort) and provides amenities (fancy toiletries, room service, attentive staff, beach access) that you would not expect in its price range. Definitely attractive for a short stay, for a longer stay visit its neighbor.