June 3, 2023

Hotel Californian – the complete guide to Santa Barbara’s chicest hotel

The Hotel Californian reopened in the heart of the Funk Zone on the Santa Barbara waterfront back in 2017. It flawlessly occupies 3 corners of a city block, in all its Spanish Colonial Revival architecture glory. The original Hotel Californian opened in 1925.

Hotel Californian – the property

I got to visit to experience the property and everything it has to offer back in 2019! When we arrived, while being greeted by the wonderful staff at the valet, we were simultaneously in awe of the stunning modern Moorish themed interior décor, which we would continue to gawk over the entire trip – from the elevators, to the light fixtures, to the tile floors – every detail is exquisitely thought out.

Hotel Californian, from California to Italy by Corey Marshall
Hotel Californian, from California to Italy by Corey Marshall

The hotel is the only building around with a 4th floor, resulting in a stunning unobstructed panoramic rooftop view by the pool. Look one way at the Pacific Ocean and the opposite direction at the Santa Ynez Mountains. One of the many reasons I love California!

Hotel Californian – the room

As we stepped into the beautifully designed hotel room, we couldn’t help but be mesmerized by its charm. The bed, with its cloud-like comfort, beckoned us to sink in and relax. The marble bathroom added a touch of luxury, while the balcony offered a stunning view of the courtyard and majestic mountains.

Hotel Californian, from California to Italy by Corey Marshall
Hotel Californian, from California to Italy by Corey Marshall

Every detail was thoughtfully crafted, from the elegant closet doors to the exquisite light fixtures that adorned the room. And to my delight, I discovered a velvet chair that perfectly matched the pair of shoes I had packed for the weekend. It was as if every element had been carefully orchestrated to create a harmonious and unforgettable experience.

Hotel Californian, from California to Italy by Corey Marshall
Hotel Californian, from California to Italy by Corey Marshall

We couldn’t help but be impressed by the attention to detail and the seamless blend of style and comfort. This hotel truly understands the art of creating a space that surpasses expectations. As we settled in, we knew our stay would be nothing short of extraordinary.

Hotel Californian – dining & amenities

Whether you’re seeking a weekend getaway or planning a grand wedding, this property is the epitome of perfection. Prepare to be enchanted by the breathtaking Ballroom, unlike any conventional space you’ve encountered before. At every turn, we were amazed by the abundance of gorgeous corners eagerly awaiting an event to be planned; from multiple rooftops, delightful restaurants, a charming courtyard, and countless other stunning spaces. Indulging in the culinary delights of Blackbird and Goat Tree was an absolute pleasure, and we were enchanted by the ambiance of Djinn, the hotel’s captivating cocktail bar. And just wait until you see their spa!

Blackbird: Tuesday – Saturday for dinner. A unique and upscale culinary destination that celebrates the abundant flavors of the Central Coast. Led by Executive Chef Travis Watson, the coastal location allows them to showcase the best of land and sea. Savor inventive cocktails by renowned mixologist Devon Espinosa, accompanied by a carefully curated selection of local wine and craft beer that beautifully reflects the region’s terroir. With its striking brass fixtures and modern black box aesthetic, Blackbird redefines the upscale dining experience in Santa Barbara, offering a subtle homage to Alfred Hitchcock’s timeless thrillers.

Hotel Californian, from California to Italy by Corey Marshall

Goat Tree: Open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and happy hour daily. This gourmet café with al fresco seating offers fresh, local fare. Their entire menu is infused with a hint of Mediterranean culinary influence. If you’re not looking for a sit down experience, you can drop by for some pastries or other baked goods, cold-pressed juices and coffee or order a seasonally curated picnic basket for your day of beach or wine tasting adventures.

Djinn Library Bar: Open Tuesday – Saturday, 4 – close. The hotel’s cocktail bar, adorned with books and cozy couches to sink into while you enjoy your cocktails and conversations!

Hotel Californian, from California to Italy by Corey Marshall

“In the simplest terms, Djinn are genies. However, to reduce them down to a cartoon image would merely scratch the surface of their role in Moroccan lore. Djinn are mischievous spirits – not necessarily good, not necessarily bad.”

The Society: State & Mason [NEWEST ARRIVAL]: Open Sunday, Monday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday. The Funk Zone’s newest tasting room at the corner of State Street and Mason Avenue. Delight in a remarkable selection of Foley Family Wines, expertly paired with locally-inspired culinary creations by Chef Travis Watson. The Society is the perfect destination for your Santa Barbara wine tasting experience.

Majorelle Spa: Majorelle, a distinctly Moroccan blue found in traditional tiles, windows, and doorways of Marrakesh – evokes a sense of active tranquility. Its deep hue soothes and enlivens, while the rich indigo pigment inspires intense revitalization. Majorelle invites you to discover the sublimity of one-of-a-kind spa treatments tailored to your personalized expression—an essential luxury along the path to wellness.

Hotel Californian, from California to Italy by Corey Marshall

Tan Tan Pool: Open daily. With mesmerizing views of the Pacific Ocean, this is the ultimate rooftop pool in Santa Barbara – an idyllic sanctuary to unwind and escape the ordinary. Treat yourself to refreshing handcrafted cocktails, delectable snacks, and appetizers as you bask in the sun-drenched ambiance poolside.

Hotel Californian – Constellation popup

Hotel Californian, from California to Italy by Corey Marshall

Onto the event of the weekend – curated by Chris Mangless and the entire Hotel Californian team, among so many more. Chris runs Three Three Five in Green Bay, Wisconsin – open one night a week, hosting bands coming through town for dinner on other days and hosting dinner/concerts regularly, combining his passions for both food and music. Chris hits the road a lot, being nicknamed “The Traveling Chef” – putting events together like the one I attended. He has a lot in the works, but the next event is one in Paso Robles towards the end of March!

Opening Night Reception: Meet the Makers [friday]

This was the perfect opening to the weekend with delicious bites by the hotel, cocktails by Bittercube (more on these guys shortly), and a beautiful selection of wines by Desparada Wines out of Paso Robles. The night ended with a beautiful sneak peek of the Pop Up concert scheduled for Saturday night.

The Artists: Boom Forest, Chris Porterfield of Field Report, Langhorne Slim, Stelth Ulvang of the Lumineers, and Arum Rae

7 Pillars of Cocktails class by Bittercube [saturday]

Hotel Californian, from California to Italy by Corey Marshall
Hotel Californian, from California to Italy by Corey Marshall
Hotel Californian, from California to Italy by Corey Marshall

I’ll be honest, I was thinking “ughhh this is going to be so boring”, but it was the complete opposite and became one of the highlights of the whole weekend. Bittercube is a bitters company based out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Ira and Louie of Bittercube made the experience both educational and entertaining, which is basically the perfect balance! We learned the 7 cocktails that make the creation of cocktails possible — and got to taste through half of them. If you’re curious, the 7 are Sour, Daisy, Collins, French 75, Old Fashioned, 212 (Manhattan/Martini) and Stepladder (Negroni). I can’t wait to experiment with cocktails more confidently now! I even ordered a few Bittercube bitters variety sets to give to my cocktail loving friends.

Chef + Winemaker Dinner

Saturday night’s dinner was composed of six courses of food and paired wines. Chef Chris Mangless of Three Three Five, Sous Chef Blake Silberman of Blackbird, and Chef Justin Carlisle of Ardent in Milwaukee each made two of the six courses. The wines of the night were by Desparada Wines and Herman Story Wines out of Paso Robles and Potek Winery out of Santa Barbara.

The Menu

Kampachi Crudo with Pepita and Blood Orange

Market Peas with Almond, 335 Cellar Ham and Duck Liver

Octopus with Gooseberry and sweet potato

Red Cabbage with Pear, Mustard and Speck

Carlisle Beef with Escarole, Spring Onion and Bernaise

Chocolate with Orange

Hotel Californian, from California to Italy by Corey Marshall

A Pop Up concert with Langhorn Slim was held in the gorgeous ballroom and was a perfect close to the evening!

Winemaker Brunch [sunday]

Hotel Californian, from California to Italy by Corey Marshall

The last hoorah was a Winemaker Brunch at Goat Tree on Sunday morning! I ordered chia seed pudding and a quiche. Everything was delicious! It was all paired with wines from Municipal Winemakers out of Santa Barbara.

I am so grateful for my partner in crime for the weekend, Lily of The Lily Studio. I met Lily a couple years ago at an event I was cohosting with Livestrong at a restaurant in Los Angeles. She was pouring wines at the bar and I immediately knew had to be friends! It’s crazy how life works, especially with a little help from social media!

Hotel Californian – upcoming events

Hotel Californian is constantly buzzing with exciting events! Celebrate the full moon with HOWL at Djinn, listen to cool tunes with great food during the summer at Sunset Sessions, take part in a variety of fitness classes during Majorelle Saturday Sessions, Winemaker Dinners & more. Check out more details below and on their full calendar here.

The most recent wellness additions designed to help guests and locals enhance their self-care routines, while enjoying the luxurious amenities and world-class services that the hotel is known for. 

Majorelle presents Saturday Sessions – Outdoor Complimentary Fitness Classes

Since outdoor season is in full swing, Hotel Californian is bringing back its popular IRL Saturday Sessions. These open-air fitness classes, led by top local instructors, include Pilates, yoga, HIIT, dance cardio, and more. The classes are complimentary, suitable for all fitness levels, and take place every Saturday at 11AM on the Serena Rooftop through October. Can’t make it in person? No problem! You can catch the live streams on Hotel Californian’s Instagram every Saturday. Check their online calendar for the full schedule and registration details.

Global Wellness Weekend: June 9-11, 2023

Hotel Californian is hosting a weekend of rejuvenating events to celebrate Global Wellness Day on June 10, 2023. The festivities begin with a healing Summer Chakra Sound Bath on the evening of June 9th, followed by invigorating outdoor fitness classes on the hotel’s rooftop, offering breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and Santa Ynez Mountains. The weekend also includes a Wellness Expo, where you can enjoy assisted-stretches from Stretch Labs, receive swag bags from Vuori, indulge in chair massages from Majorelle, and savor fine wine from The Society: State & Mason.

Friday, June 9th:

5:00 PM – Summer Chakra Sound Bath with Marquita Davis in Court of Fatima

Saturday, June 10th:

9:00 AM – Pilates + Mobility with Victoria Popoff on Serena Rooftop

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Wellness Expo in Court of Califia 

11:00 AM – Dance Cardio Sculpt with Rachel McClusky on Serena Rooftop

Sunday, June 11th:

10:00 AM – Power Yoga Flow with Emily Pelky on Mirador Rooftop

Individual classes are $10 per class, and the full weekend pass is $30. Register here. 

Note: guests who have booked the new Passport to Wellness package (details below) will receive free access to all events. 

Passport to Wellness

Hotel Californian believes that wellness should be a year-round endeavor, not just limited to a single day. That’s why they have partnered with Corc Yoga, a renowned yoga brand, to introduce the Passport to Wellness package. This unique offering combines luxury, sustainability, and self-care, providing a perfect balance of indulgence and well-being. The package features Corc Yoga’s eco-friendly Renew mats, made from hypoallergenic, antibacterial, and 100% biodegradable cork material. With the Passport to Wellness, guests can enjoy the best of both worlds—embracing wellness while savoring the delights of wine.

Discover the inclusive package that includes a variety of wellness and wine experiences:

  • Experience luxury accommodations at Hotel Californian with Spanish Colonial Revival guestrooms, custom furnishings by Martyn Lawrence Bullard
  • A complimentary Corc Yoga Renew mat to take home
  • A welcome bottle of wine from Foley Family Wines
  • Daily nourishing breakfast options, such as a protein fritatta, seasonal fruit + chia seed parfait, and avocado toast.
  • A daily private fitness class led by local instructor and fitness influencer, Victoria Popoff (based on availability)

The package starts at $1,200.00 plus local taxes and fees.

Majorelle Spa Membership

For frequent visitors and members of the Santa Barbara community, the hotel offers theMajorelle Spa Membership. This exclusive membership includes monthly spa treatments, discounts on treatments, guest rooms, and dining, as well as complimentary access to the fitness center and Tan-Tan rooftop pool, providing breathtaking views of the local area and the Pacific Ocean. Elevate your wellness with this coveted membership.

Check out my Santa Barbara travel guide, complete with more dining and activity options!

Looking for more California travel inspiration?

Happy Travels,

Corey

COMMENTS +

  1. Santa Barbara for a quick getaway from Los Angeles — California to Italy by Corey Marshall says:
    June 1, 2023 at 9:22 AM

    […] Here is another Santa Barbara post I did more recently! I’d love to hear your Santa Barbara recommendations in the comments! And stay tuned to hear about my other favorite quick getaway from Los Angeles. What are your favorites? […]

    Reply

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Growing up near Pasadena, CA, my creativity blossomed as I delved into the LA food scene, food styling, photography, and storytelling. Now, I curate content centered around food, beverage, and travel, while indulging in hobbies like thrifting. Italy holds a special place in my heart, where I found love and embarked on a new chapter in Bologna. Join me on this creative journey of food, travel, and love.

@coreymarshall

@californiatoitaly

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