Yes, they will let you leave…
For me, the only way to get to Santa Barbara is by driving a sports car up the coast. I like to go through Malibu, catching Highway 1 at Santa Monica. Though this way can get crowded on weekends, the views of the Pacific are spectacular, so leave early.
This is great driving; the sun, sea air, endless blue water, and occasional places you can exceed the speed limit by a mile or two an hour. You will recognize this stretch of road as the place where many car commercials are shot because it has to be one of the most beautiful stretches of California coast. Just past Point Dume, you are forced to make a hard right onto Las Posas road and you will run east for 10 minutes through fields of agriculture, before hitting highway 101 north.
Only a couple of hours north of Los Angeles, Santa Barbara is wonderful escape from the hustle and bustle of L.A., and how the City of Angeles would have turned out if they hadn’t diverted water from the Colorado River, ultimately turning L.A. into a megalopolis it is today. Mediterranean-influenced buildings with red-tile roofs make up a large portion of Santa Barbara, and a reminder of how once California belonged to Mexico.
My wife and I have been to Santa Barbara many times, this visit to celebrate her birthday, and we decided to try a place we had not stayed before, the Hotel Californian.
“Hotel Californian has become a destination for sophisticated sojourners and Santa Barbara locals who relish the property’s world-class services and amenities housed in L.A.-based design deity Martyn Lawrence Bullard’s Moroccan-inspired jewel box.”
– Rebekah Bell, Modern Luxury Interiors California
Three different buildings comprise the Hotel Californian, with reception on State Street. Simply pull up to the valet stand and help with your luggage is both instantaneous and enthusiastic, as our bags made it to the room before we did.
The 121-room hotel is beautiful from the outside, blending in with the surrounding white washed exterior. Inside, the mood switches to a very upscale Moroccan inspired decor that runs throughout the hotel and carries into the rooms themselves. A nice touch, reception directed us to The Society, for our welcome “splash” and we enjoyed a bit of wine and relaxation after the drive, at their on-property wine bar. Across from the hotel, on the corner of State Street and Mason Avenue, The Society has both indoor and alfresco tastings of world-class wines.
Once in, our room was very well appointed, with that distinctive feeling of luxury. Beautiful bathroom, wonderful bed with extra-soft sheets, pillows and bed spread, all contributed to a feeling of cozy extravagance. We had opted for a room with a large balcony that faced the ocean with great views of the piers and beachfront, and I would encourage you to get a balconied room for your stay as well.
The Hotel Californian is ideally located a stone’s throw from the sand, in the “funk zone”, and free bicycles from the valet stand will let you explore the area at a leisurely pace. This part of town is one of the most popular places to visit in Santa Barbara, located between the beach and highway 101. The zone evolved from an industrial and manufacturing part of town, that housed fishing and marine boating areas.
From funny grain elevators and quonset huts to a vibrant, fun-filled area, gradually it became gentrified. You will still see old warehouses from 50 years ago, now home to wine tastings, bike rentals, contemporary murals, casual dining and drinking spots. With lots of places to taste and sample local food and beverage, there’s something fun around every corner.
Several buildings comprise the Hotel Californian and just across the street, a swipe of your room key admits you to the second building. There’s a quick elevator ride up to the third floor and the Tan-Tan rooftop pool deck. Heated to 80 degrees, with lots of chaise lounges on a two-tiered level, here it’s great to watch sunrises or sunsets with a 360 degree views of Santa Barbara, and the twinkling lights of the city are beautiful after dark. Cocktails and bar food makes it easy to stay all day and into the early evening.
A disappointment was missing dining in the hotel itself as its famous restaurant, Blackbird, was closed when we were there, and we look forward to trying it on our next visit.
More (or less) adventurous types can also get to The Hotel Californian by riding on the famous Amtrak Surfliner that runs from San Diego to San Luis Obispo with stops in between. The trip from downtown Los Angeles takes 2-2.5 hours with tracks next to the beach. Jump on at Union Station, and if you are traveling with just a small suitcase, it’s only a couple of blocks walk to the hotel.
The Hotel Californian fills up fast during the summer season and can be sold out on weekends months in advance, so plan accordingly. But they also offer great deals occasionally, if your schedule is flexible.
A wonderful place, a wonderful birthday weekend, the Hotel Californian is on our must-stay list!
