Hotel Californian

My husband and I spent four nights at Hotel Californian as a base for our trip to the Santa Barbara area. It is situated right near the pier and the waterfront spread out over several buildings. Although the hotel's materials refer to the area as the "funk zone", things were pretty quiet at night. The room was spacious and clean with a nice balcony. We didn't end up eating a full meal there so we cannot comment on the food, but I enjoyed a swim in the pool with a view of the harbor and the mountains. It is an easy walk to the main downtown area which features many shops and restaurants, and there are also some good ones around the hotel itself. All in all a very pleasant visit and we would stay here again if we were back in the area.

Tabitha and her entire team were absolutely mind-blowing—I truly can’t say enough about them. From start to finish, their service was seamless and exceptional. They were efficient, responsive, and proactive, always one step ahead and ready to assist with anything we needed. What stood out most was their genuine warmth and professionalism. Every interaction felt welcoming, thoughtful, and personalized. The team was not only highly organized and detail-oriented, but also incredibly courteous, approachable, and attentive. It’s rare to experience this level of care and consistency. Their dedication, positivity, and commitment to excellence made all the difference. Truly a world-class team—I would return in a heartbeat.

Wonderful property, conveniently located. Loved the pool deck and outdoor spaces. The staff was amazing and helped us plan our days. The dining establishments could have a broader menu, but otherwise enjoyable.

A fantastic stay at Hotel Californian. The location is absolutely perfect right by the beach and the Funk Zone which made exploring Santa Barbara on foot incredibly easy. The design of the hotel is beautiful and feels really special without being formal or stuffy. Our room was styling, comfortable and the whole place has a relaxed luxury feel. The rooftop pool and bar are a highlight with gorgeous views and a great drink / snacks menu. There are plenty of sun loungers and parasols and there is a waiter to take orders. Our travel agent had mentioned it was our anniversary so we were treated to an upgrade and some fizz and chocolate covered strawberries which was a lovely surprise. Service throughout was warm, friendly and professional. We'd happily return and would recommend it to anyone looking to stay in Santa Barbara.

We regularly travel to Santa Barbara for staycations. It’s a beautiful drive from Pasadena especially with the coastline views. We have been staying at the El Encanto for decades but with the new owners there, waiting for things to settle in. Meanwhile, we decided to try out The Californian for late anniversary and early birthday celebrations. The hotel staff are wonderful but need to be more knowledgeable about the Amex Platinum benefits and room types booked. We booked a Sessina room with ocean view but discovered our room was in the old building across the street — a bit tired with a partial view only when standing on the balcony and overlooking another building rooftop. After we called reception, they offered two rooms, one a very nice large suite with a city view and the other the same room type we booked but with a much better ocean view. We chose the latter and were very pleased. The decor in the room itself is monochromatic and some of the furniture is worn and in need of repair and refinishing. A few bright colors might be more enticing. The brass fixtures were not polished and looked dirty with a green patina. Poor choice for a seaside hotel. Breakfast is not on-property but across the street with a limited menu. We will try that shortly. Blackbird, the dinner house was closed so we could not try it. Same for the interior bar. The best part of the stay so far has been the welcome reception at Society, the wine bar on the corner of the hotel. There, we signed up for the wine club while initially waiting for our room on arrival. Justin, the manager, was exceptionally knowledgeable, welcoming, and engaging. He’s a pro and we enjoyed the terrific wine flights. The hotel owner has assembled an impressive stable of wine brands over the years. Try the Two Sisters Reserve Pinot. Exceptional. This is our first time staying in the Funk Zone but we have tried many of the restaurants over the years. The hotel offers a shuttle cart for local transport. Unlike El Encanto though, it cannot take you to Montecito where many of the best restaurants and shopping are located. Unfortunately, “downtown” Santa Barbara is still struggling from Covid times when the city choose to shut down auto traffic and transformed a large section of State Street into a promenade. This has become rather seedy over the past five years, and most of the large shops like Nordstrom and Saks closed with Paseo losing other upscale retailers. There is talk about opening it back up to traffic in an attempt to revitalize the area. I hope they do this. All in will all, we are enjoying our stay. Will we come back? Not sure.