First off, this is the only affordable motel near the Hearst Castle that has a heated indoor pool. This is an absolute necessity if you want a pool because it is COLD right next to the Pacific Ocean where all the motels are. However, the passageway to the pool is gated, so cold air pours into the pool area and collects just above the warm water. You quickly learn to keep well submerged to avoid chills! The pool is very large and well kept.

The Pacific Ocean as mentioned above is a couple of minute walk around to the side of the property. Our kids really enjoyed playing in the surf. It's cold, though. The wind is cold, too. Bring pants and jackets. Ironically, it was incredibly hot at the Hearst Castle.

We paid $90 for a single night, which was not bad for California oceanside motels. The room was very nice, the breakfast passable but unmemorable, and the heater worked flawless all night (did I mention it was COLD outside). I only met a fairly nice middle aged man in the office during my stay, no dour women as mentioned in other reviews.

We ate pizza from some Cambria pizzaria that was decent but way overpriced (like all California and Nevada pizzarias I noticed). Don't come to coastal California and expect to find good Mexican food as some reviewers have complained. That's just unrealistic. Try East LA if you want authentic Mexican food.

Gas in Cambria is way overpriced, even by California standards.

Lastly, it's a really quick drive to the Hearst Castle from this motel. Don't forget to stop and see the elephant seals at the first or second pulloff on the coastal highway north of HC. Allow 4 or 5 hours to drive to Monterrey. Stay up the road in Marina if you can't afford $130/night or more for a cramped room in Monterrey and don't really care to walk the town in the evening.

It seems the prices at this motel more than triple when you go over memorial weekend. We paid $160 and did not enjoy our stay. Arrived at 8pm to be greeted by the miserable owner who said she wondered when we were going to turn up and why hadn't we phoned ahead to say we would be late?

If I'm paying that kind of money for a slightly grimy motel room I don't expect to be told off when I turn up!

Had a terrible meal at the mexican place next door and overall this was the only night in a 3 week vacation that we didn't enjoy.

Don't stay in San Simeon if you are travelling up the coast, the rocky point inn about 10 minutes up the road is fabulous.

My sister and I recently stayed at the Sands on our way to visit Hearst Castle and a drive up to Big Sur. We were pleasantly surprised by the Sands. The off-season rate was reasonable and we had no trouble booking a second night. The motel is ocean side and a short walk to a pleasant beach. There is a nice restaurant, Cavalier's a short walk away. Our room itself was very clean and large, with internet hookup, a microwave and a small fridge. We had an ocean view. The bathroom was large and very clean as well. The Sands serves a wonderful free breakfast starting at 7:30 with good coffee, juice, fruit, hard boiled eggs and fresh muffins. If you can't wait until 7:30 there is a coffeemaker in the room. All in all, we loved it there and will be back!

We returned to the Sands for 3 nights in Dec. Got our rooms for $40 including continental breakfast. The hotel was empty and we had the place all to ourselves. This was our third visit to this property and have always found it nicely maintained. After a week in Vegas it was a nice place to unwind. We toured Cambria, Morro Bay, Hearst Castle, etc. and had the usual good time. My wife enjoyed watching the seals on the beach. It's a nice place to stay in the off season. No problems here.