We've stayed at the San Simeon Pines many times while on our annual 4-day or so vacation to Cambria, staying here when we need to keep the prices more moderate, staying at the Fog Catcher when times are more flush.

You won't mistake the San Simeon Pines for an upscale establishment. But the rooms are clean and comfy, the staff pleasant and helpful, and the location on Moonstone Beach is terrific. It's a very short drive whether you're going to visit Hearst Castle, shop or dine in Cambria Village proper, and just half an hour or so to the Paso Robles area for wine tasting (or dining at McPhee's in Templeton!).

There's a breakfast room with Continental breakfast offerings: coffee/tea/juice, sweet rolls & muffins, cold cereal, which certainly helps trims costs.

Then there are on-site activities such as a croquet pitch and a wonderfully dismal nine-hole pitch-and-putt golf course complete with bumpy greens...it's the only place in the world that I golf and the experience is a hoot.

The walks along Moonstone Beach are variously serene, engaging (when the otters, elephant seals, or migrating whales are visible), uplifting, and just downright pleasant.

I expect we'll stay here again.

Let's do the time warp again!!

First off, any hotel/motel that has separate 'Adult areas' and 'Family areas' is awesome!
I made a last minute reservation for a King Fireplace room. The people that handle their phone reservations weren't very friendly or helpful the two times I called.
I discovered they save rooms for online reservations so if they tell you by phone they are booked for a certain room, you can probably go online and book it from their website for less money. They wont tell you that tho.
Kinda lame.
Anyways... paid $144 for a King Fireplace room the week after Christmas. Many places in town were booked up so this seemed like a great deal!

The lady working the desk at check in was super friendly. This place is old skool. They don't even use a computer system. My receipt was handwritten. I loved that!! ......... like going back in time.

The 'resort' is very dated, but super clean and very well taken care of. Lots of trees and grass. It feels more like you are in a cabin in the mountains and not right by the beach.

The room was big and had vaulted ceilings and a new flat screen TV which I think was the first update in the last decade.
Nice fireplace in the corner that we lit right away because it was cold!
They supply pre-cut logs for the fireplace and some blue goo to use to get the fire going.

The place was clean and quiet.

My only complaint is that the shower sucks!!!! The water saving shower head is horrible!!!! I mean horrible. I understand they are trying to save water, but damn... I'm on vacation here... it would be nice to have a nice shower.

This place is a great deal compared to other places on Moonstone Beach Drive as long as you don't mind the dated appearance and crappy shower!

We have stayed there 2 or 3 times a year over the past 20 years. First as a couple and now with our 5 and 2 year old. It is perfect for both. Right next to beautiful lookout point to watch sunsets and otters. Or walk down golf course to Moonstone Beach, our kids favorite. Yes rooms aren't modern but very clean and just fine.

Very nice and quiet place to spend a weekend. Very very close to downtown Cambria, elephant seals, beach - just a great place. People were very friendly and helpful with restaurants and even which things on the menus were really good. Definitely would go there again!