Dolphin Bay Resort Walkway, Shell Beach

San Luis Obispo, CA Print   Leave a comment

Description

The walkway in front of Dolphin Bay Resort is the nicest place to come at sunset! Here the ocean teems with life: dolphins, seals, and pelicans dive-bombing the water. Avila Bay glows in the most gorgeous way- I still haven't figured out what makes it glow so- possibly because the water is so still- but it glows in the richest most wonderful blue. Come in the early evening and take a walk down the hundred or so stairs to Shell Beach. There are tide pools galore. Families with curious kids comb the swirling water for finds. Circles of college students enjoy the great feeling at the beach. It is absolutely magic to walk the shoreline at sunset with the subdued light hitting the foamy waves. Bliss! The red cliffs have interesting formations and come close to the water, giving the beach a cozy feel. Happy souls sit on the edge of the cliffs at South Palisades Park up above you.
In the daytime this beach is surprisingly warm. The cliffs seem to whisk the cold sea air above and away from you. You can often come dressed for the beach rather than in a sweater like you usually need to do in Central California.
To the east of the hotel there is a ship playground you can walk to called Spyglass Park.
For drinks, check out Lido, in Dolphin Bay Resort, which has a happy hour 2-5pm with an ocean view.

Photo Gallery

The sparkling bay.	Pampas grass by the path that leads to the beach.	The path that leads from the beach stairs to Shell Beach Rd.
Remaining light of the day.	Shell Beach, below South Palisades Park.	Families enjoy the tide pools at the bottom of the beach stairs.
View to the southeast toward Pismo Beach from the tide pools.	A couple enjoys the bright ocean views at Dolphin Bay Resort.	A seal in a perfect blue-green wave.
View from our room.	A young beachgoer immersed in a paradise of bright greens and blues.	The colors!
Dolphin sculpture at Dolphin Bay Resort.	The cliffs that shelter the beach.	Rock formation by the tide pools.
Aaah, this is the life...

Directions

Exit Highway 101 at Spyglass Dr. Turn toward the ocean on Spyglass Dr and then immediately right on Shell Beach/Frontage Rd. Dolphin Bay Resort is on your left. There is also a parking lot on your right, directly across the street from a trail that leads to the beach access stairs and to the Dolphin Bay Resort walkway.
The address is 2727 Shell Beach Road, Shell Beach, CA 93449, call (805) 773-4300.

This is an interactive map, you can zoom and move it.

Overall Visitor Rating:

Peg 12/15/2016 06:37	Such a sweet spot with a beautiful view looking out to the bay! Happy we stayed here and will come back again next time!
James 10/08/2010 16:49	can't believe I used to swim to the other side and back...gret pic!
Michelle 09/21/2010 09:59	speechless....
jeannine 08/27/2010 16:56	We ended up staying for almost four hours! We took rests underneath some amazing rock formations in the cliffs and enjoyed the sunset from the park up top. ...‎
Geoff 07/21/2010 13:17	Love that seal in the wave! Cheers