California feels young and fresh, but the years of youth and freshness have accumulated, so that there’s now some serious history to the place. It’s even starting to have its own grande dame hotels, which is where our Hotel Gurus started when putting together their list of recommendations for historic hotels in California. The majority of the state’s grande dames are in San Francisco, a city that wears its earthquake-ridden past clearly on its sleeve, but here they also found some fabulous hotel conversations to add to the list of California’s historic hotels, including a number of converted army barracks, an apartment building in Nob Hill, and a whole warehouse down by Fisherman’s Wharf. The wine countries had some elegant conversions too, including a beautiful Arts and Crafts B&B. Along the coastline they uncovered Spanish Mission architecture, and charming old villas, and they even discovered historic oasis hotels in the rugged interior. So, if you like your accommodation to be able to tell many tales, then this is the place for you!
For Grand and Historic
- The Palace Hotel is a feat of architectural elegance in San Francisco’s Financial District. When it was built in 1875 it was seemingly the most luxurious and expensive hotel in the world. There’s nothing quite so impressive as a vast atrium hung with chandeliers, and that’s what the Palace offers, as well as 11 foot ceilings and marble bathrooms in the guest rooms. There’s a superb indoor heated pool, plus a gym and fitness centre, and a good choice of restaurants. This is certainly the sort of place to come for Afternoon Tea.
- The Intercontinental Mark Hopkins is a grand old historic hotel on the crest of Nob Hill, overlooking the San Francisco Bay. This is a big hotel, as well as an historic one, with 380+ rooms and suites, so the decor is varied, but treads a line between classical and contemporary, with a fairly gentle colour palette. The best rooms are elegant affairs, with incredible city views. But if you’re not staying in one of those you can enjoy the best view in the house from the 19th floor cocktail bar.
For Age and Style
- The Fairmont San Francisco is a landmark, and possibly even and institution. Tony Bennet and pals, have played the Venetian Room, and famous faces have their favourite rooms from among the six hundred odd. The views across the bay are incredible, and even better from the private balcony of your suite, or from the roof terrace bar. The decor remains traditional, but fresh, and is the epitome of elegance and five star charm.
For Historic Surrounds
- The Inn at Death Valley is located in one of the least hospitable places on the planet, yet it's like an oasis; its expansive grounds are lush and beautiful, and its elegant fountains suggest plenty of water. Because of the location this inn is sustainably run, so some of the historic features of the original hotel have been modified, but not the beautiful Spanish-looking terraces, or the wonderful wild west-esque bar. The 66 rooms, suites and villas are contemporary and comfortable, and there’s a state-of-the-art spa and sauna and a choice of restaurants.
- The Ojai Valley Inn is a stunning five star resort occupying 200 acres of incredible Ojai Valley scenery and surrounded by rugged mountain views. This is a big place, with 200+ rooms, suites and villas, and lots of onsite facilities, including tennis courts, golf courses, art classes and numerous pools, bars and restaurants. Opened in 1923, this property has a legacy of service, but all the modern conveniences.
Historic Seaside Hotels
- La Valencia Hotel is an elegant salmon-pink hotel in the Spanish villa style, set just behind a sandy stretch of beach and the Pacific Ocean, to the north of San Diego. There are 112 rooms and suites, comfortably decorated in a traditional, Californian feeling style, and a central pool courtyard. All surrounded by manicured gardens. The restaurant is excellent, and the hotel has been operating since 1926, so the whole enterprise has had time to practice being the perfect host.
- The Casa del Mar is a stylish hotel sitting with its toes on the sand of Santa Monica Beach, which can date is origins back to 1929 when it was an exclusive beach club. The 129 rooms and suites have an airy comfort, with lots of light, spa baths, and a theme of white linens against dark wood. The suites are where you’ll find the most interesting objets d’art, and the best views, though most rooms have a pretty special view, and the pool has an idyllic one. Of an evening pop down to La Terraza, where you can enjoy live music and cocktails.
For Old Time Romance
- The Francis House is a beautiful, unique house in Calistoga, the region’s only stone built French Second Empire house. The grand exterior is matched inside, with sweeping staircases and an impressive collection of antiques. There are also contemporary luxuries like an elegant outdoor pool and a salt room and sauna. You'll also find a billiards room and a breakfast room, but only five bedrooms. Plus you’re within a short walk of some excellent restaurants.
For Historic San Francisco
- Once the residence of US Army Officers, the Cavallo Point Lodge today is a comfortable 142 room hotel, with incredible views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco skyline. Spacious and contemporary, the 142 rooms and suites have great views too, as does the Murray Circle restaurant and bar. In addition to all the sights and sites of San Francisco, there’s a lot to do here!
- The Inn at the Presidio was also previously army officer’s quarters, and is the only accommodation within the Presidio National Park, close to the Golden Gate Bridge. There are 22 rooms, sleek and stylish now, with magical views. There’s no mess or restaurant, but they do offer complimentary wine and cheese between five and seven.
- Sister property to the inn above, The Lodge at the Presidio is another barracks turned boutique hotel, and again the location and bridge views are difficult to better. The 42 rooms and suites here are elegant and contemporary, with high ceilings and lots of natural light. The largest suites sleep four, so this is a family friendly pick. There’s no restaurant, but they serve up baked goodies and bagels for breakfast.
- The Claremont Club & Spa is a fabulous old, family friendly resort in Berkley, its tallest rooms overlooking the San Francisco Bay. This grand resort style hotel has been welcoming guests since 1915 to its 276 rooms and suites, all spacious, and decorated in a traditional, but stylish way. And there’s an accommodation configuration to suit every family. There’s a beautiful spa and a choice of three huge heated outdoor pools.
For families
- Built in 1929 by a banking family, the Stonepine Estate is now an 11 room estate hotel, surrounded by lush gardens and grounds in the Carmel Valley. In addition to accommodation in the main house, there are cottages in the grounds, ideal for families, or anyone needing extra space. There's a beautiful collection of art and antiques, and the formal gardens, plus this hotel has a pool, a restaurant and an equestrian centre.
- The all-suite Fairmont Heritage Place Ghiradelli Square is a luxurious pick on San Francisco Bay, housed in a former chocolate factory. Accommodation is in suites of between one and three bedrooms, all designed with stylish minimalism in mind, and almost all of the 53 have superb views of the bay. There’s no restaurant, but you can order into your suite.
- In a prime spot near San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf, Argonaut has been converted from a fruit canning warehouse originally erected in 1909. So it’s pretty big, and the rooms and suites are spacious, and decorated with a nautical nod. They have complimentary bike hire for guests, and a bar, gym and restaurant.
For Wine Country
- The Napa River Inn is part of the old Victorian waterfront complex, and was built in 1844 — to help you imagine it some of the 66 rooms and suites are done up in Victorian style. The best have river views, fireplaces and private balconies. In addition to the charm of the place, the inn has a fabulous, Michelin rated restaurant, and a nightclub. And you’re within a short stroll of 20 different tasting rooms.
- Santa Rosa’s Hotel La Rose is a blocky stone building on historic Railroad Square in the centre of town. This is one of the oldest hotels in the Sonoma county, built in 1907, and it boasts lots of really charming period details. The 49 rooms and suites — some of them large enough to accommodate a family — are decorated either in a contemporary style, or a period one, so it’s up to you how much printed wallpaper and chintz you sign up for. All the rooms have brass and marble bathrooms, though.
For Great Value
- You needn’t ask when the 1906 Lodge was built, but since then this Spanish style villa on historic Coronado Island has been carefully restored, and updated with the necessary mod. cons. So it’s now an elegant, 17 room boutique hotel in the perfect spot for exploring the island.
- Mission Inn Hotel & Spa looks almost like a castle and is one of the grandest example of the Spanish Mission style architecture our Gurus have come across, complete with domes and turrets and latticed windows. The interiors, which include 211 rooms and suites, are a really charming combination of contemporary style and the original features. The facilities are pretty contemporary, though, and include a pool, four restaurants and two bars, a spa offering yoga classes, a steam room, hot tub, nail salon and boutique shopping.
- The Scarlet Huntington is a 1920s apartment block atop Nob Hill, turned boutique hotel. The decor is period, with Oriental elements — it’s got a feeling of the film Chinatown to it. The restaurant is casual, but very historic chic, and serves American cuisine, and the hotel’s Nob Hill spa has won several awards. The views and location are excellent, and this is an idea base for San Francisco.
Still not sure where to book?
