We’re in a time of transition and, like other prime travel destinations around the world, Santa Barbara is in the throes of it. At the moment, the area south of the tracks and the freeway — a.k.a. The Funk Zone — emerged as the city’s definitive “it” neighborhood, especially in the way high-concept dining, wine tasting rooms, funky art galleries and the city’s Old Money/Old Hollywood past co-exist. The crown jewel topping this expanse is Hotel Californian. Built in 1925, it remains a visual representation of what Santa Barbara was in the 20^th century and what it could become in this one.

© Elyse Glickman

Recognizing the hotel was a product of 1920’s Hollywood, celebrity interior designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard used Moroccan-inspired Art Deco motifs and fixtures to keep the Spanish Colonial Revival architecture visually relevant for discerning travelers a century later. He consciously swapped out the familiar blue/white/seafoam hotel color scheme found in other Santa Barbara hotels for black, white, gold and bright earth tones to connect the two ‘20s decades across three distinct structures (the main Californian, State and Mason buildings) covering the corners of facing city blocks.

What makes Hotel Californian inviting in 2023 are exclusive amenities ranging from a perfectly appointed fitness room to Majorelle Spa’s inclusion of a Moroccan hammam; a rooftop deck and pool in the second building; and Djinn, the lobby-adjoining library lounge serving up craft cocktails and evening entertainment. The star attraction at Djinn is Devon Espinosa, who refined his cocktail crafting technique at West Hollywood’s innovative The Church Key bar.

© Elyse Glickman

As Santa Barbara remains a wine lover’s paradise, Hotel Californian’s location is ideal for exploring the many tasting rooms of the Funk Zone. At the corner of the Californian building, the hotel’s The Society: State & Mason regularly offers wine pours and flights from the extensive Foley Family wine portfolio, paired with small plates from Executive Chef Travis Watson. While full-service restaurant Blackbird is a local favorite and a larger showcase for Watson’s talents, the hotel and restaurant stage regular wine pairing dinners with Foley’s better vineyards and winemakers.

The hotel’s Moroccan theme flows over to the Mason Street building with the Goat Tree, a casual café serving fancy coffee and tea drinks, fresh-baked goods, cold-pressed juices, and a full breakfast and lunch menu. Highlights include an authentic shakshuka (a skillet breakfast with poached eggs in a rich, spicy tomato sauce than can be sopped up with fresh pita), an updated smoked salmon entree, and other flavorful goodies.