Simply Shell Beach

Shell Beach is a quaint, off-set of Pismo Beach. Some spots in Shell Beach that both tourists and locals love are:

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Zorro’s Café and Cantina

Tina Uvalle, a server at Zorro’s, has worked there about 9 years now. She explains how the most popular item on the menu is the Chili Verde Omelet, and the Machaca being  a close second.

Uvalle also talks about who the restaurant attracts. “In the last couple of years there has been a lot more tourists. Locals like to come in during the off season because they don’t like when it’s really busy.”

In her opinion Uvalle considers Zorro’s to be a great place for everyone. She says, “It’s great food and excellent service. People also like to bring their dogs out on the patio. It’s also one of the only breakfast places in Shell.”


The Steaming Bean

   Beki Morrison, a barista at the Steaming Bean, claims they have a lot to offer. The Steaming Bean has tea, coffee, and smoothies, but their reputation is for their coffee. Morrison says a good smoothie to try is the Shell Beach Sunset, but the most popular coffee drink is the Kona Mocha.
    Morrison says, “On the weekdays it’s almost all the local regulars, but on he weekends we get about 60% tourists.” She explains how its nice having a mix of customers, having a lot of regulars but also seeing new faces experiencing the Steaming Bean.
    So why go to the Steaming Bean? Morrison says, “It has a great relaxed atmosphere, outgoing baristas, top of our one of a kind delicious drinks, not to mention it is only a block away from the beach.” They are also unique compared to usual coffee shops she adds, “The first Saturday of the month we change the art displayed and as a promotion for the artists we have live music and wine tasting from 1-5pm.”

Shell Beach Surf Shop

    The Shell Beach Surf Shop’s motto is, “Friends-Family-Community.” They are the only surf shop in Shell Beach and are located in the Spyglass Plaza. Their product brands include everything from The Arbor Collective to something more local like Forever Stoked.
    They offer surf lessons which cost $85 for a two hour private session and all the instructors are CPR certified.
    SBSS also does rentals for:
  • Surf boards, $20 for all day
  • Wet suits, $15 for all day
  • Beach cruisers, $20 for all day

What makes Shell Beach Surf Shop unique is their movie nights. The first Saturday of every month they have a screening of a surfing movie. Every one is welcome and it is free.


Spyglass Inn

    Spyglass Inn has been located in Shell Beach for 34 years now and is right above the ocean.
    The Assistant Manager, Jason Gentry, talks about the sales of the hotel within the past couple years. “The economy has not really affected us that much. 2011 was a record year for us, but 2012 has been affected because of all the remodeling.” Spyglass Inn is adding new balconies to some of  the ocean-side rooms.
    There are 82 rooms at Spyglass, 38 of them including ocean views. The rest include bay views and pool views.
    Gentry also explains how most of the patrons of Spyglass are people from Fresno and Bakersfield, but they also get a lot of people from Los Angeles wanting to get away for a weekend. Spyglass offers some promotional packages throughout the different seasons, however, locals get 10% off year round.