The Cliffs Hotel & Spa has been part of one family’s tradition of returning to Pismo Beach together for nearly 30 years. What began as a summer family vacation has grown into years of sister trips, romantic getaways, and visits with their dogs, all connected by time spent together on California’s Central Coast.
As they shared their story with us, they also reflected on the places, experiences, and little moments around Pismo Beach that became part of their family memories. Returning after all these years brought many of those memories back, reminding them of who they were, the people they shared these trips with, and how much has changed while some things have stayed familiar. This is their story of nearly three decades of family vacations, traditions, and memories made at The Cliffs and throughout Pismo Beach.
For almost 30 years, The Cliffs has been part of our family story.
Our mom was a single mom and a teacher, and every summer she would teach summer school. When it was over, she gave us one vacation: a trip to The Cliffs. It was close enough to home to feel easy, but far enough away to feel like we had gone somewhere. We were right on the ocean, we felt safe, and as kids, it felt completely magical.
Some of the best memories of our lives happened here. And somehow, all these years later, coming back still gives us that same feeling.
As adults, there can be so much emphasis on finding the next place, the newest hotel, the destination we haven’t seen yet. But there’s something equally beautiful about returning. About knowing the view. Remembering who you were the last time you stood there. Bringing new versions of yourself back to a place that has held so many old ones.
And over all those years, our family changed and grew. Some of our sweetest memories are of bringing our dogs with us, including the ones who are no longer here. They got to be part of this place too: mornings on the beach, wandering around town, piling into the room together at the end of the day. Looking back now, those ordinary little moments feel incredibly precious. We didn’t know at the time that they would become some of the memories we’d hold onto most.
The Cliffs has seen us as little girls with our mom, as teenagers, with beloved dogs by our side, as sisters growing into our own lives, and now as women returning together.
Maybe that’s what makes a place feel like home. Not that you never leave it, but that you keep finding your way back.
We’re so grateful for nearly three decades of memories here, for everyone we’ve gotten to share this place with along the way, and for the memories we’re still making.
Best,
Catherine
Create memories that last long after the sand is shaken from their shoes and the sun has set on your last adventure of the vacation!
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