But...but....where will we stay?

Time for my post about where you might stay in the area, so I did what any self-respecting netizen would do in 2010, I fired up google.

I wish I had better news about hotel prices, but we live in an area that is considered "beach" and tourists pay to stay here. (A little known fact...when you come over the hill on 101 into the Pismo/Shell Beach area, it is the first time you see the ocean from the highway going south after you leave the Golden Gate Bridge. Periodically we have a tourist that is so captivated by the view that they go over the edge, often landing in an ironically placed tennis court...forewarned...)

The other bad news is that there is not much to choose from right near our house. So you will end up staying a few miles away...the good news is, of course, that means you'll be, in general, close to the beach.

Here's the page for Pismo Beach Hotels

From what I know of that list, the Sea Venture is in a nice spot, has a great restaurant (we go there often for a sunset dinner with reasonable corkage), and it sits right on the beach.

The Oxford Suites are purported to be the best value in the area (short of the Motel 6 sort of place).

A little farther away, on the more northerly part of the bay/beach are the places in Shell Beach.

These places, like the Dolphin Bay, are generally pricier.

As the bay circles back on itself at the north end, you'll find the lovely little town of Avila Beach.

Avila is the place the locals go when there is only one spot with sun. It has a protected location, and thus better weather (i.e. less fog most of the time). The Lighthouse Suites are across the street from the beach, and fairly new.

On the way to Avila there are a couple of very nice places as well. Both of these are not on the water, if that's not your cup o' tea.

We go to the restaurant at the Sycamore Springs a lot. We've also sampled several of there +/-100 hillside hot tubs. They have had a mid-week deal where you can buy a meal and get a hot tub. Or you can get a spa treatment which comes with a hot tub. Again...if that's your thing...

Also along the way, in its own little community, is the Avila Village Inn

If college town atmosphere is your thing, and you like to shop downtown (including the world famous Thursday night Farmer's Market), then here is the link for San Luis hotels.

The Apple Farm Inn has country charm, and the also world famous landmark Madonna Inn is worth seeing (the men's room has been a tourist attraction for at least 40 years......really...) even if you don't stay there.

Finally, if you remember the Michael Jackson trial, it was held in the next large town to the south of us, Santa Maria. Santa Maria is big enough to find most everything, including almost all the typical hotel chains. Here's the google link to Santa Maria hotels. 

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