Hotel Californian, Santa Barbara

Hotel Californian - A Moroccan-inspired seaside resort with rooftop pool, celebrity-designed interiors, and wine experiences in Santa Barbara's Funk Zone

Located in West Beach, this 121-room Santa Barbara hotel features Martyn Lawrence Bullard's Moroccan-inspired design blending Spanish Colonial Revival architecture with contemporary luxury. The property showcases over 1 million handcrafted tiles, many imported from Morocco. Hotel Californian's dining venues include Blackbird restaurant with coastal cuisine by Executive Chef Travis Watson, The Society: State & Mason wine tasting room offering 70+ Foley Family wines, and a rooftop pool with Pacific Ocean views. The 2850-square-foot ballroom, 4500-square-foot plaza, and 3670-square-foot rooftop deck accommodate events. A Turkish-inspired spa, 24-hour fitness center, and custom bicycles enhance the guest experience. Just steps from the beach and one block from the Amtrak station, Hotel Californian anchors the food and wine-centric Funk Zone district.

Pros

Celebrity designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard created distinctive Moroccan-influenced interiors

Rooftop pool and deck provide panoramic views of the coastline and Santa Ynez Mountains

Located in the heart of the Urban Wine Trail with 20+ nearby tasting rooms

Complimentary local transfers within a 2-mile radius

Cons

The bustling Funk Zone location can get crowded during peak times

Some rooms have limited views due to the urban setting