Hotel Californian | Santa Barbara ★ Book Spa Rooms, Wellness Deals & Guest Reviews

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Key details

About the Hotel

36 State Street, Santa Barbara, California, United States

“The hotel's location is perfect for enjoying nearby shopping and Stearns Wharf.”view full review

Hotel Californian showcases a unique blend of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture and Moroccan design influences. This 5-star Santa Barbara hotel offers a rooftop pool, diverse dining options, and access to the vibrant Funk Zone's tasting rooms and culinary experiences.

Rooms & Amenities

Accommodations at Hotel Californian feature custom furnishings by celebrity designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard, elegantly combining classic Spanish and Moroccan elements. Signature rooms include the Alcazar Suite, which provides spacious seating areas and stunning ocean views.

Dining & Drinking

Dining options include Blackbird, offering curated local cuisine, and The Society: State & Mason, serving wines from Foley Family Wines. Tan-Tan poolside dining presents handcrafted cocktails with ocean views.

Leisure & Wellness

Leisure amenities at Hotel Californian include a rooftop pool and a full-service spa, Majorelle, which specializes in customized treatments. Guests can explore the Funk Zone's numerous tasting rooms and dining venues on foot.

Events & Transportation

The hotel features a 2850-square-foot ballroom, a rooftop event deck, and five meeting rooms, making it suitable for corporate events and retreats. Transportation includes proximity to Flixbus and Amtrak services for convenient travel.

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Choose your room type

The hotel offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals

Standard Queen Room

Max:

2 persons

305 sq. feet

Bed options:

1 King-size bed

Shower

Coffee machine

room details

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Standard King Room

Max:

2 persons

360 sq. feet

Bed options:

1 King-size bed

Shower

Coffee machine

room details

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Deluxe King Room

Max:

2 persons

400 sq. feet

Bed options:

1 King-size bed

Shower

Coffee machine

room details

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Price and Room Availability

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Getting around

Comprehensive guide to transport options for seamless travel

City Centre

Santa Barbara4000 ft

Airports

Santa Barbara (SBA) 12.7 mi

Presidente Itamar Franco (iza) 30.3 mi

Train

Santa Barbara Amtrak1000 ft

Facilities

The hotel offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences

Amazing Spa Experience

“I had the most fantastic massages at the spa during my stay. The treatments were so rejuvenating and really helped me unwind. It was a highlight of my trip, and I would recommend it to anyone looking to relax.” view full review

Delicious Room Service

“I ordered room service one night, and it was absolutely delicious! I was actually surprised by the generous portion of Salmon, very fresh and tasty-definitely exceeded my expectations for hotel dining.” view full review

Beautiful Room and Facilities

“My room was beautifully designed, with a generous size and lovely amenities. The bathroom was especially excellent with dual sinks and a large bathtub that I really enjoyed. It made for a comfortable and aesthetically pleasing environment during my stay.” view full review

Great Entertainment Options

“The in-room amenities were fantastic, particularly the Nespresso machine which allowed me to enjoy my coffee just the way I like it in the comfort of my room. It added a nice touch to my overall experience!” view full review

General

No smoking on site
Paid Wi-Fi
Parking
Safe deposit box
24-hour reception
VIP check-in/ -out
Express check-in/ -out
Pets allowed
Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
Wheelchair access
24-hour security
Luggage storage
Allergy-free rooms
Lift
Hairdresser
Coffee shop
Smoke detectors
Electric vehicle charging station
Fire extinguishers
Key card access

Sports & Fitness

Fitness centre
Wind surfing
Canoeing
Hiking
Cycling
Yoga class
Fishing

Services

Free shuttle service
Valet parking
Pet amenities available
Room service
Housekeeping
Laundry
Dry cleaning
Tours/Ticket assistance
Welcome drink
Happy hour

Dining

In-room breakfast
Restaurant
Bar/ Lounge area
Packed lunches
Special diet menus

Business

Business centre
Meeting/ Banquet facilities
Fax/Photocopying

Children

Cots
Board games

Facilities for people with disabilities

Toilet for disabled
Bathroom for disabled

Spa & Leisure

Rooftop pool
Beach access
Beach umbrellas
Sun loungers
Live entertainment
Sun terrace
Spa & wellness centre
Sauna
Jacuzzi
Pedicure
Manicure
Waxing
Body scrub
Facial
Treatment room
Body wraps
Back massage
Head massage
Full body massage
Foot massage
Pool with view
Make up services

Room features

Air conditioning
Heating
Mini-bar
Soundproofed rooms
Sitting area
Terrace
Garden furniture
Tea and coffee facilities
Dining table
Ironing facilities

Bathroom

Free toiletries
Sink

Media

Flat-screen TV
AM/FM alarm clock

Room decor

Carpeted floor

Location

36 State Street, Santa Barbara, California, United States

Map view

36 State Street, Santa Barbara, California, United States

City landmarks

Harbour

Stearns Wharf

2100 ft

Park

Santa Barbara County Courthouse

1.1 mi

Zoo

Santa Barbara Zoo

1.4 mi

Landmark

Santa Barbara Harbor

4800 ft

Landmark

Susan Quinlan Doll and Teddy Bear Museum

5000 ft

Museum

Santa Barbara Museum of Art

1.1 mi

Museum

Santa Barbara Maritime Museum

4500 ft

School

Santa Barbara City College

4400 ft

Landmark

Carriage and Western Art Museum

2300 ft

Museum

Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara

3700 ft

Park

Chase Palm Park

2300 ft

Museum

Santa Barbara Historical Museum

5000 ft

Museum

Casa de la Guerra Historic House Museum

3900 ft

Park

El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park

5000 ft

Landmark

Santa Barbara Art Glass

1.0 mi

Landmark

Los Banos Del Mar

1.2 mi

Nearby

Museum

MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation

1500 ft

211 Stearns Wharf

Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center

1500 ft

Chapala St & Montecito Street

Moreton Bay Fig Tree

1600 ft

Winery

Santa Barbara Wine Collective

700 ft

217 State St

Reagan Ranch Center

900 ft

Park

Ambassador Park

1400 ft

Yanonali Street

Funk Zone

2000 ft

16 Helena Ave

Santa Barbara Surfing Museum

500 ft

Beach

West Beach

1400 ft

Beach

Loquita Santa Barbara

800 ft

216 East Yanonali Street

Metropulos Fine Foods Merchant

1200 ft

Winery

Municipal Winemakers

500 ft

Store

Surf N Wear's The Beach House

300 ft

409 State St

Faith Mission

1800 ft

Restaurants

Finney's

200 ft

35 State St Suite A

Blackbird

300 ft

36 State St

The Lark

800 ft

131 Anacapa St Suite A

Santa Barbara FisHouse

1000 ft

101 E Cabrillo Blvd

Santo Mezcal

500 ft

119 State St

Bluewater Grill

600 ft

15 East Cabrillo Avenue

Oku

600 ft

29 E Cabrillo Blvd

Lucky Penny

800 ft

127 Anacapa Street

Helena Avenue Bakery

1100 ft

131 Anacapa St Ste C

Enterprise Fish Co

1100 ft

225 State Street

Brass Bear Brewing & Bistro

2100 ft

28 Anacapa St E

Reviews and Ratings

Reviews from guests about their experience.

66%

loved their spa retreat and can’t wait to return.

6.6/10

Nice

Rooms

8.0

Location

9.0

Service

6.2

Dining

5.4

4.5/5 based on 554 reviews

#12 of 55 hotels in Santa Barbara based on Tripadvisor

Samuel

United States, February 2025

5.8/10

My stay at Hotel Californian was a mixed bag. The architectural beauty and spacious rooms stood out, providing a comfortable atmosphere. However, the inconsistent service, particularly at the restaurants, and issues with the room's amenities left me disappointed. Overall, there's potential, but improvements are needed to match the hotel's premium pricing. 🌆

Rooms

7.0

The room was spacious and clean, featuring lovely design elements and a great view. However, I noticed some minor damage on the furniture that diminished the overall experience.

Service

5.0

While some staff were friendly and accommodating, I encountered moments of rudeness from the front desk that were quite off-putting. Restaurant service was also notably slow.

Location

9.0

The location is superb, making it easy to walk to the beach, restaurants, and shopping in downtown Santa Barbara, which I really appreciated.

Dining

5.0

Dining experiences were disappointing, particularly with long wait times for service and low-quality room service options. I hope they improve the dining experience for future guests.

Facilities

6.0

The amenities like the rooftop pool and spa services added some enjoyment, but overall maintenance and attention to guest requests could be improved.

Tony

United States, January 2025

7.0/10

I had mixed feelings about my stay. The hotel's gorgeous architecture and prime location near the beach were definite highlights, but I encountered some serious service and room issues that dampened the experience. My requests for special decorations for a surprise anniversary celebration were not fulfilled, and the cleanliness of the room left much to be desired, especially the dirty carpet. Overall, while the ambiance and facilities are impressive, the quality of service and attention to detail needs significant improvement.

Rooms

6.0

The room was poorly cleaned with cobwebs and a dirty carpet. I expected more given the price I paid.

Service

5.0

The service was inconsistent. While some staff were accommodating, the miscommunication about my anniversary preparations was frustrating.

Location

8.0

The hotel's location is perfect, close to the beach and local attractions, making it easy to explore Santa Barbara.

Dining

5.0

Dining options were subpar, and the food by the pool served in to-go boxes felt unusual and didn't meet my expectations.

Facilities

6.0

The hotel's facilities, including the rooftop pool, were lovely, but the distance from my room to main amenities was inconvenient.

George

United States, December 2024

7.2/10

During my stay at Hotel Californian, I was attracted by its stunning architectural beauty and spacious rooms, but unfortunately, I found much of the experience lacking for the price I paid. While the interior was lovely, the service did not meet the expectations that typically accompany such a high rate, and some aspects of my stay left me feeling disappointed. Overall, the hotel has potential, but several improvements are needed to truly stand out. 🌟

Rooms

7.0

My room was clean and spacious, featuring beautiful design elements, but I noticed some minor damage to the furniture that detracted from the overall luxury experience.

Service

5.0

I found the service to be inconsistent; while some staff were pleasant, others felt unfriendly and lacked professionalism, which negatively affected my stay.

Location

9.0

The location is superb, just a block from the beach and surrounded by excellent dining and shopping options, making it convenient to explore Santa Barbara.

Dining

5.0

While the dining options, especially at The Goat Tree, showcased great food, the service there was lacking, which was frustrating given the quality of what was on the menu.

Facilities

5.0

The facilities were decent, though I was disappointed with the pool area, which had a disturbing smell and wasn't inviting for relaxation.

John

United States, December 2024

5.8/10

My stay at Hotel Californian was a mixed bag. The architectural beauty of the hotel is stunning, and my room was spacious and well-appointed. However, I faced some issues with service, particularly with room amenities and dining options during my visit, which did detract from the overall experience.

Rooms

10.0

My room was large, immaculate, and well-appointed, with very nice bed linens. It definitely contributed to a comfortable stay.

Service

6.0

While the staff was generally friendly, I encountered delays in getting basic services and a lack of attention during my dining experiences.

Location

10.0

The hotel is conveniently located near local attractions, making it easy to explore Santa Barbara.

Dining

6.0

I had high hopes for dining options, but found the restaurant service to be lacking, leading me to seek alternatives.

Facilities

6.0

Although the hotel had many promising facilities, some were not operational or fell short of expectations, such as room service and the spa.

Tony

United States, October 2024

7.4/10

I had a nice stay at Hotel Californian, particularly because of the welcoming staff and spacious room. The hotel's location near the beach made it convenient for enjoying local attractions. However, I did have a few concerns about the value for the price and the poolside food experience. which was a bit underwhelming. Overall, it was a lovely getaway despite some minor hitches.

Rooms

10.0

The room was clean, spacious, and luxurious. I appreciated the attention to detail in its presentation and the provision of complimentary bottled water.

Service

10.0

The valet staff greeted me with smiles and were incredibly efficient, while the front desk manager addressed my concerns about space for baby essentials with an upgrade.

Location

9.0

The hotel's location was prime, just a block from the beach and allowed me easy access to nearby attractions like wine tasting at Margerum.

Dining

6.0

I enjoyed breakfast at Goat Tree, especially the avocado toast. However, food served at the pool was presented in to-go boxes, which felt odd for the setting.

Facilities

7.0

The rooftop pool was a great spot to relax, but I found the noise from the staff below a bit distracting.