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Hotel Californian

5.0 star property

Photo gallery for Hotel Californian

Terrace/patio
Reception
Aerial view
Ballroom
Ballroom

Reviews

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • Spa
  • Pet-friendly
  • Restaurant
  • Air-conditioning
  • Gym

Explore the area

View map
36 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101
  • Place, MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Stearns Wharf
    ‪7 min walk‬
  • Place, Santa Barbara Harbor
    ‪7 min walk‬
  • Airport, Santa Barbara, CA (SBA-Santa Barbara Municipal)
    ‪14 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Room, 2 Queen Beds (Almeria)

Room, 2 Queen Beds (Almeria)

Room, 2 Queen Beds (Almeria)

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(2 reviews)
  • City view
  • 42 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Room, 1 King Bed (Almeria)

Premium bedding, minibar, in-room safe, individually decorated

Room, 1 King Bed (Almeria)

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
(9 reviews)
  • City view
  • 42 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Room, 1 Queen Bed (Almeria)

Room, 1 Queen Bed (Almeria)

Room, 1 Queen Bed (Almeria)

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(4 reviews)
  • City view
  • 42 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Room, 1 King Bed (Cordova)

Room, 1 King Bed (Cordova) | Bathroom

Room, 1 King Bed (Cordova)

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
(7 reviews)
  • Ocean view
  • 59 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Room, 2 Queen Beds (Granada)

Room, 2 Queen Beds (Granada)

Room, 2 Queen Beds (Granada)

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
(4 reviews)
  • Mountain view
  • 51 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Room, 1 King Bed (Granada)

Room, 1 King Bed (Granada)

Room, 1 King Bed (Granada)

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
(5 reviews)
  • Mountain view
  • 51 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Suite (Magellan)

Flat-screen TV, pay films

Suite (Magellan)

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • Mountain view
  • 119 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Room, 2 Queen Beds (Sestina)

Room, 2 Queen Beds (Sestina)

Room, 2 Queen Beds (Sestina)

  • Ocean view
  • 46 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Room, 1 King Bed (Sestina)

Room, 1 King Bed (Sestina) | View from room

Room, 1 King Bed (Sestina)

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
(14 reviews)
  • Ocean view
  • 46 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Room, 1 Queen Bed (Sestina)

Room, 1 Queen Bed (Sestina)

Room, 1 Queen Bed (Sestina)

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(2 reviews)
  • Ocean view
  • 46 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Room, 2 Queen Beds (Sevilla)

Room, 2 Queen Beds (Sevilla)

Room, 2 Queen Beds (Sevilla)

8.6 out of 10
Excellent
(4 reviews)
  • City view
  • 46 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Room, 1 King Bed (Sevilla)

Room, 1 King Bed (Sevilla)

Room, 1 King Bed (Sevilla)

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
(3 reviews)
  • 46 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Room, 1 Queen Bed (Sevilla)

Premium bedding, minibar, in-room safe, individually decorated

Room, 1 Queen Bed (Sevilla)

  • City view
  • 46 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Room, 1 King Bed (Tagerinn)

Room, 1 King Bed (Tagerinn) | View from room

Room, 1 King Bed (Tagerinn)

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(4 reviews)
  • Mountain view
  • 62 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible (Almeria)

Premium bedding, minibar, in-room safe, individually decorated

Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible (Almeria)

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • City view
  • 42 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible (Sevilla)

Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible (Sevilla)

Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible (Sevilla)

  • City view
  • 46 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Room, 2 Queen Beds, Accessible (Sevilla)

Premium bedding, minibar, in-room safe, individually decorated

Room, 2 Queen Beds, Accessible (Sevilla)

  • City view
  • 46 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible (Granada)

Premium bedding, minibar, in-room safe, individually decorated

Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible (Granada)

  • City view
  • 51 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible (Sestina)

Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible (Sestina) | View from room

Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible (Sestina)

  • City view
  • 46 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible (Cordova)

Premium bedding, minibar, in-room safe, individually decorated

Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible (Cordova)

  • City view
  • 59 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

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About the area

Santa Barbara

With a stay at Hotel Californian, you'll be centrally located in Santa Barbara, a 4-minute drive from Santa Barbara Harbor and 6 minutes from Santa Barbara Bowl. .This beach hotel is 10.5 mi (16.9 km) from University of California, Santa Barbara and 0.1 mi (0.1 km) from MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation.

What's nearby

  • MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • West Beach - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Stearns Wharf - 7 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Santa Barbara Harbor - 7 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Santa Barbara City College - 10 min walk - 0.9 km

Getting around

  • Santa Barbara Station - 8 min walk
  • Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) - 17 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Jeannine’s American Bakery And Restaurant - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪SB Biergarten - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Chad’s - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪Finney’s Crafthouse & Kitchen - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪The Harbor Restaurant - ‬6 min walk

About this property

Hotel Californian

Stylish beach retreat with outdoor pool
Hotel Californian offers 121 air-conditioned accommodations with minibars and laptop-compatible safes. Each accommodation is individually furnished and decorated. Beds feature premium bedding. Flat-screen televisions come with premium satellite channels and pay movies.

Bathrooms include bathtubs or showers, bathrobes, slippers, and designer toiletries. Business-friendly amenities include desks along with free local calls (restrictions may apply). Additionally, rooms include espresso makers and complimentary bottled water. A nightly turndown service is provided and housekeeping is offered daily.

Recreational amenities at the hotel include an outdoor pool and a fitness center.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.

The onsite spa has 4 treatment rooms including rooms for couples. Services include deep-tissue massages, Swedish massages, facials, and body wraps. The spa is equipped with a steam room. A variety of treatment therapies are provided, including aromatherapy. The spa is open daily.
Make yourself at home in one of the 121 individually decorated guestrooms, featuring minibars and espresso makers. Flat-screen televisions are provided for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with bathtubs or showers feature designer toiletries and bathrobes. Conveniences include laptop-compatible safes and desks, and housekeeping is provided daily.
Pamper yourself with a visit to the spa, which offers massages, body treatments, and facials. You're sure to appreciate the recreational amenities, including an outdoor pool, a fitness center, and bicycles to rent. This hotel also features concierge services, a hair salon, and a picnic area.
Grab a bite to eat at one of the hotel's 3 restaurants, or stay in and take advantage of the room service (during limited hours). Snacks are also available at the coffee shop/cafe. Relax with your favorite drink at the bar/lounge or the poolside bar. Full breakfasts are available daily from 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM for a fee.
Featured amenities include a business center, dry cleaning/laundry services, and a 24-hour front desk. Self parking (subject to charges) is available onsite.
Full breakfasts are available for a surcharge and are served each morning between 7:00 AM and 1:00 PM.
Hotel Californian has 3 restaurants on site.
Room service (during limited hours) is available.

Awards and affiliations

The property is a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts.

Property amenities

Parking and transport

  • Electric car charging station on site
  • Covered parking on site (USD 60 per night)
  • Covered valet parking on site (USD 60 per night; includes in/out privileges)
  • Limited on-site valet and self parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking and van parking available

Food and drink

  • Daily full breakfast available 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM for a fee: USD 8 to 22 for adults and USD 5 to 18 for children
  • 3 restaurants
  • A bar/lounge
  • A coffee shop/cafe
  • A poolside bar
  • Couples/private dining

Things to do

  • Bicycle rentals
  • Free children's club
  • Full-service spa
  • Games
  • Gym
  • Library
  • Outdoor pool
  • Private wine tours
  • Wine tasting room
  • Wine tours

Family friendly

  • Children's games
  • Free children's club
  • In-room cot
  • Laundry facilities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Rollaway/extra bed (surcharge)
  • Soundproofed rooms

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Hair salon
  • Laundry facilities
  • Luggage storage
  • Safe at front desk

Guest services

  • Concierge services
  • Dry cleaning/laundry service
  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Porter/bellhop
  • Proposal/romance packages
  • Tour and ticket assistance
  • Turndown service

Business services

  • Business centre
  • Meeting rooms

Outdoors

  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Picnic area
  • Pool loungers
  • Terrace

Full-service spa

  • 4 treatment rooms
  • Aromatherapy
  • Body scrubs
  • Body wraps
  • Couples treatment rooms
  • Deep-tissue massages
  • Detox wraps
  • Facials
  • Manicures/pedicures
  • Spa open daily
  • Steam room
  • Swedish massages

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Assistive listening devices
  • Bathroom emergency pull cord
  • Braille/raised signage
  • Grab bar near toilet
  • Lift
  • Low-height counter and sink
  • Raised toilet seat
  • Valet for wheelchair-equipped vehicles
  • Wheelchair accessibility
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible business centre
  • Wheelchair-accessible concierge desk
  • Wheelchair-accessible gym
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible path of travel
  • Wheelchair-accessible path to lift
  • Wheelchair-accessible pool
  • Wheelchair-accessible public bathroom
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk
  • Wheelchair-accessible restaurant
  • Wheelchair-accessible spa
  • Wheelchair-accessible van parking

More

  • 3 buildings
  • 4 floors
  • Ballroom
  • Banquet hall
  • Built in 2017
  • Smoke-free property

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Blackout drapes
  • Free cot
  • Premium bedding
  • Rollaway/extra bed (surcharge)

Bathroom

  • Bathtub or shower
  • Designer toiletries
  • Dressing gowns
  • Private bathroom
  • Slippers
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • Flat-screen TV with premium satellite channels
  • Pay films

Food and drink

  • Champagne service
  • Espresso maker
  • Free bottled water
  • Limited room service
  • Minibar

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Desk
  • Free local calls
  • Individual decor
  • Individual furnishings
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Laptop workspace
  • Laptop-compatible safe
  • Soundproofed rooms

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 4 PM; Check-in end time: anytime
Early check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before noon
Contactless check-out available
Late check-out subject to availability

Special check-in instructions

An adult age 18 or older must assume all liability for the booking
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

Pets allowed for an extra charge of USD 200.00 per accommodation, per stay, plus a deposit of USD 200.00 per stay
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
Food and water bowls are available

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are available for USD 50.0 per night
Free cribs are available on request at the property

Payment types

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:

  • Resort fee: USD 62.81 per accommodation, per night
The resort fee includes:
  • Additional inclusions
  • In-room bottled water
  • Internet access
  • Newspaper
  • Phone calls
  • Shuttle service

We have included all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

  • Fee for full breakfast: approximately USD 8 to 22 for adults, and USD 5 to 18 for children
  • Covered self parking fee: USD 60 per night
  • Covered valet parking fee: USD 60 per night (in/out privileges)
  • Pet deposit: USD 200.00 per stay
  • Pet fee: USD 200.00 per accommodation, per stay
  • Service animals are exempt from fees
  • Rollaway bed fee: USD 50.0 per night

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards and debit cards; cash is not accepted
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room

Property is also known as

Hotel Californian Hotel Santa Barbara
Hotel Californian Hotel
Hotel Californian Santa Barbara
Hotel Californian Hotel Santa Barbara
Hotel Californian Hotel
Hotel Californian Santa Barbara
Californian Santa Barbara

Hotel Californian Reviews

Reviews

9.2

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 698 out of 935 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 134 out of 935 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 58 out of 935 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 29 out of 935 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 16 out of 935 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

9.2/10

Staff & service

9.0/10

Amenities

9.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Jill

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Spotless rooms and the beds were AMAZING
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lydia

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
The room was beautiful, and the hotel is in a great location. We got an early check-in, always nice. Lots of restaurants in the area. Easy walk to the wharf and beach. Going the opposite direction on State St., you come to the busy area of State St. Further on down (10 min. drive), you come to lower State St. with a calmer vibe of restaurants and shops. Wish we had been able to stay longer.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Danielle

Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Marnee

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Moti, Encino

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Love the design and location.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Michael

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Amazing staff, beautiful property, and killer walk score. The overall decor was perfectly Santa Barbara. The rooftop pool and deck were fantastic for views.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ryan

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Lovely hotel, with some amazing Spanish architectural influences in the design. 10/10 would stay again.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Michael

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Elegant. Quiet. Super comfortable. Excellent decor. Excellent staff
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Carlos

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Staff friendly and helpful. Excellent location.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Elliot

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great valet and housekeeping services. Amazing location.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Felipe, New York

Business traveller
Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very clean room very modern furniture great bathroom service impeccable
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Greg

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Loved our stay
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Scott

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Staff was excellent
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

2/10 Terrible

Michelle

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service, amenities
This hotel truly sucked. The service was poor, restaurant & bar closed on a holiday weekend. Had to order room service that didn’t have a full bar - ordered $100 champagne that was served in a plastic pitcher with no top and warm. Waiter didn’t even pour for us. Took 30 min to receive towels at the pool and security failed to recognize us as guests and tried to deny us entry. $1200 per night? Sucked really badly!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nadine

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Clifford

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Gabby (manager) and the rest of her staff did everything to make our 10th wedding anniversary something special. I truly plan on making this trip to SB and staying at Hotel Californian an annual trip. The proximity to the beach was incredible. The rooftop pool has an incredible view. I took my time selecting a hotel that would make this a special weekend. And there was definitely some concern prior to arriving that my expectations would not be met. But with Gabby’s guidance, our stay felt special and classy. I would highly recommend staying here.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Abraham, Scottsdale

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The best hotel in Santa Barbara. Great attentive and friendly staff. The premises take you away to Caribbean paradise feeling.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Julian

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Anna

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tiananmen

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The staff made us feel welcome from the time we arrived to when we checked out. Very accommodating and polite. We had a great little getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city. We will definitely be back!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christopher

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great room! Comfortable bed nice art work, first rate liquors, coffee snacks. Pleasant staff. Great location.
Panoramic view.
View of the ocean.
Nice art.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Michael

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Svetlana, San Jose

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

2/10 Terrible

Ripsime

Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

mary

Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025