HOTEL CALIFORNIAN, Santa Barbara

Hotel Californian - A Martyn Lawrence Bullard-designed coastal resort with rooftop pool, Moroccan spa, and direct beach access in Santa Barbara's Funk Zone

Located in West Beach, this 121-room Santa Barbara hotel features celebrity designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard's Moroccan-influenced interiors behind a restored 1920s Spanish Colonial Revival facade. The property includes a rooftop pool and deck offering panoramic views of the coastline and Santa Ynez Mountains. Executive Chef Travis Watson oversees multiple dining venues, including Blackbird restaurant and The Society: State & Mason wine tasting room featuring over 70 Foley Family wines. Guest accommodations range from standard rooms to the Alcazar presidential suite, with the largest rooms featuring fireplaces and mountain or ocean views. A Turkish-inspired Majorelle Spa provides treatment rooms and steam facilities. The property sits one block from the Amtrak station and steps from the beach, positioning guests at the entrance of the food and wine-centric Funk Zone district.

Pros

Over 1 million hand-painted Moroccan tiles throughout the property design

Rooftop event deck provides 360-degree views of ocean and mountains

Complimentary local transfers within 2-mile radius

Four distinctive dining venues specializing in local wines and coastal cuisine

Cons

Limited self-parking available in public garage

Surrounding Funk Zone area can get crowded during peak seasons