Step into the Shell Café at Pismo Beach and you will be treated to a wonderful time at one of the oldest continually running restaurants on the Central Coast. Our history is rich with great tradition. Price Street is the old El Camino Real, the main road between northern and southern California. Our restaurant was the midway point between Santa Barbara and Hearst Castle in San Simeon. Hollywood celebrity friends of William Randolph Hearst found the restaurant a perfect place to relax with a great view of the Pacific Ocean and have a bite to eat on their way up the coast to visit the Castle.

Much has changed over the years. In 1926, hamburgers were 9 cents and omelets were 2 for 25 cents. Also, Shell Café’s four main dining rooms as well as our patio dining area have continuously evolved from the 1920’s until present day.  In our Garden room, you can see the original outside wall of the restaurant. This wall is covered in abalone and Pismo Clam shells that are over 70 years old. This is where the name Shell Café originated.  You can also see the picture of the 1929 Motorcycle Rally, of which we were one of the original sponsors. Mementos and pictures of celebrities can be seen throughout our restaurant from each era. Beside the restaurant there are little cottages where guests used to stay while visiting our beautiful area. Some of these cottages are over 90 years old and we are continually renovating these cottages and sharing the simple life here on the Central Coast. 

From Shell Café to the Busy Bee to JD Scrambles to JJ’s at the Beach and back to Shell Café our great tradition of service and great food continues to grow in Pismo Beach.

So, please come back soon and bring your friends.

Sincerely,
Shell Café