When should you visit San Simeon, CA?
You won't find a bad time to visit San Simeon, but weather and price may impact your travel plans. Like many destinations on the Central Coast, San Simeon has a cool Mediterranean climate, which means moderate weather year-round. Summers bring highs in the upper 70s, while spring and fall highs are in the upper 60s. Even in the winter, the area typically experiences highs in the low 60s.
While the summer months tend to be sunny and dry, winter is rainy season in San Simeon. February tends to be the wettest month of the year, so be sure to bring rain gear if you visit during the winter. Look for discounts, too. Since winter is low season throughout San Obispo County, you can look forward to great deals on hotels in January and February.
Want to make sure you experience San Simeon at its liveliest? Check the town's event calendar for a range of annual festivals and themed events. Mark your calendar for the Harmony Wine & Beer Festival in early August, the Coastal Discovery Center's Ocean Fair in late August, the ARTS Obispo Open Studios Art Tour in October, or the Cayucos Classic Car Show in November. From wine and gourmet dining events to nature walks to cultural festivals, you'll always find something happening in the San Simeon area.
Below is a chart of the current pricing seasonality of hotels and motels in San Simeon, CA:
San Simeon, CA: Prices by Star Rating Class
Below are 3 charts illustrating avg. nightly cost trends by star rating class in San Simeon, CA. Browse these illustrations to evaluate the most cost effective dates to stay in San Simeon for upcoming travels.
Where are the top luxury hotels near San Simeon, CA?
4 Star Average Prices: $239.00
Ready to splash out on a high-end stay in San Simeon? Take a look at the area's best luxury resorts.
At the Morgan San Simeon, it's easy to treat your group to an upscale getaway on the Pacific Coast. This boutique hotel has 55 well-appointed guest rooms, many of which include fireplaces and stunning ocean views. In the afternoon, the hotel's outdoor pool is the ideal place to soak up the sunshine and relax by the water. In the evening, enjoy a drink and live music in the cocktail lounge, and in the morning, help yourself to the complimentary breakfast buffet. Have a memorable meal at the hotel's Mexican restaurant or reserve the private banquet room for an upscale event.
Located in nearby Cambria, the Oceanpoint Ranch offers high-end accommodations near the sparkling Pacific Ocean. This upscale resort hotel has 60 guest rooms along with family-friendly amenities like an arcade, a restaurant, and room service. When you're ready to discover the Central Coast, you'll find countless historical, natural, and cultural highlights within a short drive of the resort.
What are the best budget-friendly hotels in San Simeon, California?
3 Star Average Prices: $191.41
Want to keep your travel costs in check while you're on the West Coast? Book one of the best budget-friendly hotels in San Simeon.
Stay at the Courtesy Inn in San Simeon, and you'll have plenty of spending money left over for excursions and experiences. This budget-friendly motel has 60 guest rooms with basics like comfortable beds and flat-screen TVs. Go for a swim in the indoor pool, relax in the hot tub, or hit the tennis court. Wake up to the hotel's complimentary breakfast before starting your adventure-filled day in San Simeon. Traveling with a furry family member or two? The Courtesy Inn welcomes pets.
At the Days Inn San Simeon, you can choose from queen or king rooms equipped with essentials like mini-fridges. Use the free Wi-Fi to keep family and friends updated on your trip. Fuel up for a fun day with free coffee and the hotel's complimentary Daybreak breakfast. Whether you're planning a day at the beach or an afternoon exploring charming San Simeon, you'll find just what you're looking for a short walk or drive from this budget-friendly hotel.
When you stay at the Silver Surf Motel, you can look forward to comfortable rooms, a convenient location, and a price that works with your travel budget. Guest rooms include basics like mini-fridges, microwaves, and coffee makers so you can keep your favorite drinks and snacks on hand while keeping your dining costs low. Go for a swim in the indoor pool or hit the beach, which is just minutes away from the hotel. This pet-friendly hotel welcomes your furry family members for a nominal fee.
2 Star Average Prices: $102.15
What hotels in San Simeon have the best discounts?
When you stay in San Simeon, there's no reason to pay full price for accommodations. From group discounts to special rates, check out the area's best hotel deals.
AARP members and senior travelers can save at the Fireside Inn on Moonstone Beach. This welcoming inn is minutes from the beach and nestled in charming Cambria.
AAA members can get low rates at the Fogcatcher Inn in Cambria. You'll love the cozy rooms and the convenient location near the Pacific Coast Highway and Cambria's many attractions.
Members of the military and government employees can get discounts at the Quality Inn. This mid-range San Simeon hotel offers rooms with comfortable beds and coffee makers along with free Wi-Fi and complimentary coffee.
Where are the hotels with the most value around San Simeon, CA?
Have your eye on a mid-scale option in San Simeon? Find out why these top lodging choices offer such great value.
When you want a resort experience without the resort prices, Sands by the Sea is an excellent choice. Located right on the Pacific Coast, this mid-range hotel offers easy access to the beach and all of San Simeon's top attractions. Guest rooms come equipped with essentials like mini-fridges, microwaves, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. Go for a run on the nature trails, use the fitness center to stay in shape, or take a dip in the outdoor swimming pool. Enjoy a memorable meal at the on-site Cavalier Restaurant before or after a fun day of exploring California's Central Coast.
Book your stay at the Pelican Inn & Suites in neighboring Cambria, and get excellent value from your stay. This mid-size hotel features spacious rooms with ocean views and essentials like microwaves and mini-fridges. Extras like the outdoor pool, fitness center, and complimentary breakfast ensure that you get plenty of value out of your stay. Reserve the hotel's meeting space for a family-focused get-together or a small conference.
Also located in Cambria, the Cambria Pines Lodge offers quaint accommodations at a great price. The rustic decor sets the scene for an unforgettable getaway on California's Central Coast, and the hotel's many amenities ensure that you'll have just what you need for a comfortable stay. You'll love the free breakfast each morning, the outdoor pool, the gorgeous gardens, the on-site restaurant, and the day spa. This mid-range hotel is the ideal place to host events of all sizes, thanks to the five meeting rooms and 300-person banquet space.
What are the top things to see and do in the San Simeon area?
You can't visit San Simeon without touring the iconic Hearst Castle, located on the northern edge of the town. Perched on what's known as the Enchanted Hill, the Hearst Castle offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, San Simeon, and the surrounding area. Once the home of publishing and media magnate William Randolph Hearst, today, this incredible mansion is open for tours. Take your pick from nearly a dozen guided tours that enable you to explore the gorgeous guest rooms, the art collection, the grounds, and more.
After touring the Hearst Castle, be sure to visit the Hearst Ranch Winery. You'll find the winery's historic tasting room in Sebastian's General Store, a 19th-century building that offers lovely views of San Simeon Bay. Here, you can sample the winery's many red, white, and rosé bottles and purchase some to take home and share with family and friends.
Near downtown San Simeon, you'll also find the perfect place to soak up the sunshine while taking in the beautiful views. At William Randolph Hearst Memorial Beach, you can swim, fish, look for shells, and even kayak. Here, you'll also find picnic tables open to the public and a kayak rental stand that has all the gear you need to get out on the water.
To learn more about marine life that thrives along California's Central Coast, make your way to the Coastal Discovery Center at San Simeon Bay. This free educational center hosts displays that explore the history and wildlife of San Simeon Bay and interactive exhibits that delve into ocean exploration and the impact of watersheds.
Finally, make your way to the Piedras Blancas elephant seal rookery, where you can see elephant seals in their native habitat. Although they gather in the thousands along this 6-mile stretch of coastline all year round, you'll see the most elephant seals during mating season. Plan your trip between late fall and early spring to catch these fascinating creatures at peak population.
Don't wait to plan your trip to San Simeon. Book the ideal hotel or resort, and start designing the perfect itinerary for California's Central Coast.
FAQs about hotels in San Simeon
Recent traveler guest reviews of San Simeon, CA
Below are reviews of the city of San Simeon, CA from an actual visitor's perspective.
"Cooler than where I live, got home to 100+"
Score
4.0 / 5
George S., from 15-Jul-2026
"Beautiful Town"
Score
5.0 / 5
San Simeon is a beautiful clean town with a great choice of dining places and is dog friendly.
Mary C., from 08-Jul-2026
"Peaceful and quiet"
Score
5.0 / 5
Kevin J., from 21-Jun-2026
"San Simeon Creek campground "
Score
5.0 / 5
San Simeon Creek campground is worth every penny. Beautiful trees lots of running water lots of hikes to the beach or surrounding area.
Kathleen R., from 25-May-2026
"Close to castle"
Score
4.0 / 5
Troy D., from 10-May-2026
"Great restaurant"
Score
5.0 / 5
Richard L., from 09-May-2026
"Great place for a getaway!"
Score
4.0 / 5
Beautiful city! San Simeon is a great place for a getaway!
Jeremy M., from 03-May-2026
"Very homey"
Score
4.0 / 5
Brenda W., from 27-Mar-2026
" Cambria"
Score
5.0 / 5
Cambria is about ten minutes down the road and is a nice place with plenty of shops and restaurants.
Dale R., from 13-Mar-2026
"A beautiful place to stay"
Score
5.0 / 5
A beautiful place to stay close to the city and to enjoy the nature.
Citlalit C., from 09-Mar-2026
"Found San Simeon a great home base for exploring"
Score
4.0 / 5
Jack C., from 05-Feb-2026
"Very quiet and serene"
Score
5.0 / 5
Susan C., from 27-Oct-2025
"Love this sleepy little town!"
Score
4.0 / 5
Love this sleepy little town!
Michael F., from 22-Oct-2025
"Manta Rey Restaurant"
Score
5.0 / 5
Loved Manta Rey restaurant
Karen B., from 15-Oct-2025
"Favorite Getaway Spot"
Score
5.0 / 5
One of my favorite spots for getting away from crowds.
Susan S., from 12-Oct-2025
"Clean & Well Maintained"
Score
4.0 / 5
Clean and well maintained
Bill C., from 05-Oct-2025
"Hearst Castle"
Score
5.0 / 5
Mary H., from 25-Sep-2025
"Beautiful Area!"
Score
5.0 / 5
Views, Hearst castle tour, small towns (Cambria). On the pacific coast, beautiful!
John P., from 19-Sep-2025
"Quiet sleepy town"
Score
5.0 / 5
Charlie H., from 07-Sep-2025
"The ocean views and open spaces. No crowds."
Score
4.0 / 5
Sheryl H., from 20-Aug-2025
"Hearst Castle was amazing. "
Score
4.0 / 5
Sunset was beautiful.
Marsha M., from 25-Jul-2025
"Great Location"
Score
4.0 / 5
Close to beach and nice restaurants
Becky G., from 23-Jul-2025
"Great Place"
Score
5.0 / 5
Love the peace and weather
of San Simeon.
Diane C., from 20-Jul-2025
"Great Location"
Score
5.0 / 5
Hearst Castle and good restaurants in Cambria
Wifredo B., from 22-Jun-2025
"Nice"
Score
4.0 / 5
San Simeon nice
William P., from 31-May-2025
"Lovely and Quiet
"
Score
5.0 / 5
Quiet
Debbie A., from 28-May-2025
"The Hearst Castle tour isn't to be missed!"
Score
5.0 / 5
The Hearst Castle tour isn't to be missed (they also have ADA tours at no extra charge). We were amazed at the elephant seal beach and the town of Cambria offered numerous eateries and lovely shops with very reasonable pricing. We enjoyed our visit to Harmony (a small craft community) and were lucky enough to be able to see some of the 150 zebras left over from the Hearst personal zoo (they roam free with the cattle on Hearst Ranch now). The Monterey Bay Aquarium is close enough for a day trip. That, also, is not to be missed. Finally, sunrises and sunsets are superb!! Wonderful way to start and end a day.
Monica S., from 24-May-2025
"Close to Cambria and the Hearst Castle"
Score
4.0 / 5
Central to what we were there to see. Close to Cambria, which is really nice, and the Hearst Castle.
Alfred O., from 14-Apr-2025
"Quaint place with good ocean view!"
Score
5.0 / 5
Quaint place with good ocean view!
Patricia F., from 25-Mar-2025
"Undeveloped & Peaceful!"
Score
4.0 / 5
Undeveloped, peaceful.
John E., from 23-Mar-2025
"Great location"
Score
4.0 / 5
Gorgeous cliffs and ocean views, and close to where the elephant seals are. A short drive to Cambria. We love the Hearst Winery which was nearby, but it was closed Tuesday.
Julie T., from 17-Jan-2025
"Beautiful beaches, strolls along the bluffs, firepits."
Score
4.0 / 5
Beautiful beaches, strolls along the bluffs, firepits.
Richard F., from 24-Dec-2024
"The proximity to the ocean which is mesmerizing."
Score
4.0 / 5
The proximity to the ocean which is mesmerizing.
Philip S., from 11-Nov-2024
"Beautiful Area"
Score
4.0 / 5
The area is beautiful. Multiple places to hike.
Lawrence G., from 23-Sep-2024
"Hearst Castle"
Score
5.0 / 5
Hearst Castle
Nancy S., from 30-Jul-2024
"Love San Simeon, the restaurants, the ocean view!"
Score
4.0 / 5
I have always loved San Simeon. The restaurants, the ocean view, and all the friendly people.
Jeannie D., from 20-Jul-2024
"Peaceful and quaint! Loved it!"
Score
4.0 / 5
Peaceful and quaint! Loved it!
James F., from 14-Jul-2024
"Close to the beach and Hearst Winery."
Score
4.0 / 5
Love the beach and quietness and the closeness to good food in Cambria and the Hearst Winery.
Beverly D., from 10-Jul-2024
"Relaxing Place"
Score
5.0 / 5
Less crowded, relaxing place.
Sally D., from 02-Jul-2024
"Great location, view and restaurants!"
Score
4.0 / 5
Loved everything, from the location to the view to the restaurants.
Greg N., from 28-Apr-2024
"Beautiful Ocean View!"
Score
5.0 / 5
Great weather! Beautiful ocean view!
Lora H., from 25-Feb-2024
"Quiet Uncrowded Place"
Score
4.0 / 5
Quiet and not crowded.
Robert M., from 15-Feb-2024
"Beautiful Area with Hiking Trails & Awesome Views"
Score
4.0 / 5
It is a beautiful area with very nice hiking trails. The views are awesome.
Donna W., from 05-Oct-2023
"My Happy Place!"
Score
4.0 / 5
I adore the San Simeon, Ragged Point and Cambria area. It's my happy place!
Stacy R., from 01-Oct-2023
"The Beaches!"
Score
4.0 / 5
The beaches!
Michael W., from 29-Apr-2023
"The Beach!"
Score
5.0 / 5
Love the beach!
Laura B., from 28-Dec-2022
"Hotel is near Hearst Castle and Elephant Seal Observation Area"
Score
5.0 / 5
Hotel is very close to the Hearst Castle and the Elephant Seal Observation
Area.
Kristi W., from 16-Dec-2022
"Beach"
Score
4.0 / 5
The beach!
Christiaan M., from 21-Nov-2022
"The OCEAN!!!"
Score
5.0 / 5
View of and smell of the ocean!!
Diane H., from 16-Sep-2022
"Good Location Near Hearst Castle"
Score
4.0 / 5
This is a good location to see Hearst Castle, Elephant Seals and shopping and dining at Cambria.
Judith B., from 01-Sep-2022
"Hearst Castle & Cambria"
Score
4.0 / 5
Visited Cambria & Hearst Castle. Great seafood restaurants all in close proximity.
Joyce S., from 24-Jul-2022
"The Ocean!"
Score
4.0 / 5
Ocean!
Shakeh M., from 21-Jul-2022
"Hearst Castle"
Score
5.0 / 5
Visited Cambria & Hearst Castle. Great seafood restaurants. All in close proximity .
Joyce S., from 12-Jul-2022
"The BEACH!"
Score
5.0 / 5
We love walking on the beach and out on the peninsula!
Margaret S., from 23-Jun-2022
"Room was comfortable and clean."
Score
4.0 / 5
Beautiful
Gary H., from 15-Jun-2022
"By The Ocean!"
Score
4.0 / 5
By the ocean!
Robert F., from 13-May-2022
"Beach at your door!"
Score
4.0 / 5
Beach at your door!
Williams D., from 11-May-2022
"Close to the BEACH!"
Score
4.0 / 5
Close to the beach
Ann C., from 31-Mar-2022
"The BEACH!"
Score
4.0 / 5
Very close to beach; friendly people.
Ann Z., from 05-Mar-2022
"A relaxing place to stay!"
Score
4.0 / 5
Everything you need is right here for a relaxing time on the beautiful central coast.
Michael W., from 07-Dec-2021
The average traveler rating of the city of San Simeon, CA shown above is
4.4 out of 5 based on 60 reviews