Hotel Californian

Visited the hotel in late December when SB was a bit of zoo and was concerned about some negative reviews I had read. My experience was as I had hoped it would be: quite, comfortable and welcoming. Staff was professional and committed to delivering the promise of the brand.

The room decor shows a great attention to detail and the standard rooms are generously sized. We were there on a rainy weekend which wasn't ideal but the fantastic location made it easy for us to get lunches and dinners nearby. As far as nice hotels within proximity (walking) to all the cool things within the Funk Zone, this is the place to stay. It's also a quick/easy drive to Coast Village Road in Montecito.

Majorelle Spa was excellent. Blackbird food was just only adequate and overpriced. Cocktails though were great. The turndown service at night was uninspiring. Seriously deliver some treats.

This was our third stay at Hotel Californian. The property is beautiful, the rooms gorgeous ,and the location is excellent on State street, right by the beach and pier. Above all, the service, especially during our recent stay, was memorable. Special thanks to reservations manager, Amy Maguire. We had a family emergency that threatened our arrival date and Amy was so helpful in working with us, providing flexibility so that we were able to make our visit. Amy also assisted us with an issue with Expedia, as we had accidently made the reservation through them and then cancelled it due to the emergency (a word of caution: Expedia can come off as the hotel directly). Amy is not only professional, she is caring and totally customer focused. Hotel Californian is SO lucky to have her! Thank you, Amy. We look forward to seeing you and the whole service team at Hotel Californian soon!

From the moment we connected with Gabby before our arrival, her level of care, attention to detail, and genuine excitement for our celebration set the tone for what became an unforgettable 20th anniversary. She truly went above and beyond to make our stay meaningful, special, and memorable, and we felt that in every thoughtful touch along the way. The champagne and chocolate covered strawberries waiting in our room, along with the personalized note, were such an awesome surprise. We were so thankful for the staff making us feel celebrated from the very first moment. The front desk team was instrumental in helping me surprise my wife with a bouquet of flowers on our anniversary day, a moment she absolutely loved. I am so thankful for the staff coordinating that behind the scenes and making the surprise seamless and so meaningful for us. Hotel Californian, thank you for caring so much about our experience. Because of you, Santa Barbara will always hold a very special place in our story.