We stayed here for 2 nights on a drive up Highway 1 from LA to SF.

The staff here at reception were some of the friendliest people we had met since arriving in the US, and very helpful if you need any advice.

The rooms are basic but comfortable, the bathroom works well, good shower, and heat lights are an added bonus.

There isn't breakfast but if you walk a block up the road there is a bakery that makes great pastries, bagels, and decent coffee. There are also a lot of restaurants, with varying prices and varying cuisine, all within a block or two's walk from the motel.

Note that you have to drive to get to the beach/boardwalk, but if you stay near to the water you are very limited for food and have to drive into the town, so we felt staying near the town was the better option.

We booked online at the last minute with a discount so felt it was very good value, unfortunately I don't know what the rack rates are though.

We didn't notice the chemical smell which the last review mentioned.

It is a short drive from here to Hearst Castle, and to the best location to view the elephant seals.

I would definitely recommend this place to anyone planning to stay in Cambria. As others said, it is basic, but it is very comfortable. And the lovely staff make it even better.

TIP: book online for Hearst castle, especially if you are on a strict timeline. Although we were there in the low season, we had to wait until the next day for our tour, and if we were on a tighter timetable would have had to skip it altogether. With some shuffling around we were still able to fit it in, but I can see why people recommend to book ahead!

While this motel allows dogs, and isn't very expensive, I would not recommend it. The chemical smell was enough to gag a maggot! I tried airing it out - to no avail - plus there wasn't a screen in the window...the bathroom was almost bigger than the bedroom. The bathroom floor was slippery and had mold stains around the floor and tub. The shower head hit you in the belly and there was no real closet nor an ironing board/iron. The bedspread was vintage 70's and the TV screen was smaller than my laptop's. What's cheaper than one-ply TP? Cuz that's what they had on the roll. The bed was like sleeping on a rock, although rocks might be softer!? Yeah, the outside of the place looks cute and it is a short walk to stores/restaurants, but I'd much rather pay more and stay someplace AVERAGE on the inside and out...

Just spent two nights at the Creekside Inn. It was perfect for what we wanted. No frills, but super clean, big spacious rooms that looked over the creek. Sitting on the balcony watching the sunset, walking a few blocks to drinks and dinner. The owner was great, super helpful. Location, though not right on the beach, just a short drive and you are there. Restaurants walking distance was very nice. We will definitely stay there again.

While not the place if your preference is upscale, I just stayed there for the third time. The price reflects a good value but there are no luxuries there. It's nothing fancy but it's comfortable, clean, friendly, welcoming, has a good clientele, is small enough to get personal attention, owner-operated so they are invested in taking care of you, etc. Same hospitable owners were there to greet me in Cheers style - they remember you. Better location than the beach if you want to walk to dinner. Friendly not only to pets but to motorcycles (old towels to clean bikes). Free wifi. Free pastries, fruit and coffee in the morning (al least on the weekends).