Have you ever had a family vacation you just didn’t want to end? Normally by the end of a trip I’m looking forward to getting home and getting back into a routine. But this last weekend we had a family vacation in Pismo Beach and we all were wishing for another couple of days. For November the weather was absolute perfection (In the 70s every day? Yes please!) and my kids had a blast playing in the ocean and hunting for hermit crabs. We stayed at The Cliffs Hotel and Spa which is ideally located and I can’t wait to tell you all about it! This post is in collaboration with The Cliffs Hotel and Spa. Our family was hosted during our stay, all opinions are completely my own.

family vacation in Pismo Beach

A family vacation to the beach in November might seem like an odd choice but it ended up being absolutely perfect! It was sunny and in the 70s the weekend we were there–that’s about 20 degrees warmer than where we live! The time of year also meant that crowds were low, which is perfect with the current state of things. We knew we wouldn’t have a ton of time to explore so we picked a few activities to do and were pleased that we had time for everything on our list! Mike and I both agree that Pismo Beach is a great location for a family beach trip anytime of year.

5 things to do in Pismo Beach with kids:

• Dinosaur Caves Park
• Monarch Butterfly Grove (late October-February)
• Oceano Sand Dunes
• Pismo Beach Pier and Promenade
• Explore tide pools

The Cliffs Hotel and Spa

the perfect Pismo Beach location

We were very pleased to find The Cliffs Hotel and Spa thanks to a friend of mine. It ended up being within a 10 minute drive of everything we wanted to do! Plus, its location on the cliffs above the beach make for beautiful views and accessible beach fun. We were also located near shopping so we never had to venture far for what we needed, truly maximizing our fun vacation time!

At The Cliffs the beach was just a short walk down some stairs. During low tide there are lots of tide pools for your little ones to explore in. We found so many sea anemones, hermit crabs, and seashells there! Even in November the weather was enjoyable for a day at the beach. The ocean water might have been cold but our kids still had a blast chasing waves and boogey boarding.

family-friendly accommodations

Our family stayed in a Two Queen Bed Suite which also featured a sofa bed. Our room was very spacious and we enjoyed having takeout from the on-site restaurant, Marisol, in our room during our visit. When we arrived there were cookies and milk waiting for our family, which was a very thoughtful touch. There were also plenty of towels, pillows, and bedding for us to use during our stay. The Cliffs Hotel and Spa features several different room and suites types that would work for any family.

To be honest, we weren’t in the room that much though. We were either off exploring Pismo Beach or the hotel grounds. My kids were so excited to swim in a warm pool and the area was always clean and never crowded. Mike and I were able to enjoy some time in the hot tub while we watched the kids splash in the pool nearby. At night we came back to the pool area to enjoy the fire pit and roast some marshmallows before bed.

current pandemic precautions

We loved our family vacation in Pismo Beach at The Cliffs Hotel and it seemed relatively “normal”, but there are some current guidelines in place I’d like you to be aware of:

• Face masks are required in the common spaces of the hotel.
• Maid service is not available every day but if you need anything you can ask.
• The pool area has limited capacity, but it was never an issue for us.
• The hot tub is available by reservation only using a QR code you receive upon arrival. Currently only one party at a time ca reserve a time slot and children under 18 are not allowed.
• The Cliffs Spa offers new Spa Suites that are more private and secluded.

Has your family taken a vacation to Pismo Beach? Which of the amenities at The Cliffs Hotel and Spa would you like best?