Santa Barbara’s must-see Hotel Californian

Following the devastating Thomas Fire to mudslides leading to the closure of Highway 101, Santa Barbara and its neighbors were hit hard. Now is a great time to consider a staycation to give the area some much-needed business.

The newly opened Hotel Californian with its Spanish Colonial Revival architecture and bold Moroccan-modern interiors from celebrity “A-list” designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard, is a mix of luxury, nostalgia, and accessibility. Located steps from the beach and Amtrak Station, the 121-room hotel is adjacent to the Funk Zone, a destination unto itself for contemporary yet laid-back style, wine tasting rooms, a buzzy beer scene and reenergized bounty-to-bar concepts. 

The must-see Hotel Californian includes the restoration of the original 1925 Hotel Californian, home to downtown’s only fourth-floor outdoor event space and a rooftop pool and event deck boasting 360-degree panoramic views.

Guests can also indulge in luxury spa Majorelle; a Mediterranean-influenced signature restaurant Blackbird featuring Santa Barbara-sourced, hyper-seasonal ingredients in a sleek, yet unpretentious atmosphere; and Goat Tree gourmet café – a social gathering spot for casual, all-day dining with al fresco seating, coffee, baked goods and cold-pressed juices.

36 State St, Santa Barbara. 805.882.0100