Staff Reporter
California’s allure as a vacation destination has always been shaped by more than its stunning coastlines, deserts, and mountains. At the turn of the 20th century, California hotels played a vital role in shaping the state’s image. Bell towers rising above boardwalks, ballrooms humming with music on weekend nights, and verandas catching the golden sunset were more than architecture—they were experiences that defined California for generations.
Over time, many of these early historic hotels in California disappeared. Developers leveled some properties, while others continued operating until economic pressures or disasters forced them to close. Yet, a renewed appreciation for heritage and tourism has led to the resurrection of some iconic hotels. In 2025, three names stand out: La Bahia Hotel & Spa in Santa Cruz, Hotel El Roblar in Ojai, and the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego.
Story Highlights
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La Bahia Hotel & Spa, Santa Cruz: Reopened after 30 years with 155 rooms, four restaurants, a spa, rooftop pool, and restored Spanish colonial architecture.
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Hotel El Roblar, Ojai: Revived after the Thomas Fire, offering 50 rooms, garden courtyards, and new dining options including Condor Bar and La Cocina.
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Hotel del Coronado, San Diego: Completed a seven-year, $550-million restoration, stabilizing its Victorian wing, refreshing guest rooms, adding Nobu restaurant, and preserving its historic legacy.
La Bahia Hotel & Spa, Santa Cruz
After three decades in limbo, La Bahia Hotel & Spa reopened on September 8 along the Santa Cruz waterfront. Originally opened in 1926 by the Seaside Company, which also developed the Santa Cruz Boardwalk, the hotel was designed as a long-term stay property in the Spanish colonial revival style. Over time, it was partially converted into a luxury resort and later sold as apartments in 1964.
Part of the building was demolished in 1989, yet the white bell tower remained a familiar landmark on the skyline. “The bell tower has always stood as a symbol of Santa Cruz’s coastal charm,” says a spokesperson for the Seaside Company.
After years of legal disputes and stalled plans, Seaside Company and Ensemble Investments invested $100 million into restoring the hotel. The newly reopened property now offers 155 rooms, including 29 suites, wrapping around a restored courtyard with four restaurants, a spa, a rooftop pool, and meeting spaces. The lobby, once neglected, now welcomes guests ranging from surfers shaking sand from their boards to bridal parties arriving for celebrations.
Hotel El Roblar, Ojai
Further south in Southern California, Hotel El Roblar in Ojai, a city known for its arts and natural beauty, has also returned to life. Built in 1919 and formerly known as the Oaks at Ojai, the hotel closed after the Thomas Fire in 2017. For two years, it sat dark on Ojai Avenue, its historic façades silent.
In 2019, hotelier Eric Goode and designer Ramin Shamshiri purchased the property and began a six-year redevelopment project. They restored the Mission Revival architecture, including stucco exteriors, hand-painted tiles, Mediterranean fountains, and classic red-tiled roofs. Courtyards were reimagined with gardens, walking paths, and intimate outdoor spaces.
“Restoring El Roblar was about respecting the past while creating a space for modern travelers,” Goode said.
The hotel reopened this summer with 50 rooms, including garden bungalows and the Sycamore House with eight rooms. Dining options highlight local and international cuisine: Condor Bar serves wood-fire Santa Maria barbecue and Mexican-influenced dishes with craft cocktails, La Cocina offers all-day brunch, and Snug Bar transitions from morning coffee to late-night drinks. On weekend evenings, the sound of voices fills Ojai Avenue once again, bringing vibrancy back to the town center.
Hotel del Coronado, San Diego
Located across from downtown San Diego on a scenic oceanfront peninsula, Hotel del Coronado represents a different scale of historic grandeur. Since opening in 1888, the hotel has never closed, but decades of continuous use demanded substantial updates.
Investment group Blackstone, in partnership with Hilton, completed a seven-year, $550-million restoration in June 2025. The work stabilized the Victorian wing and its iconic red turret, restored the Crown Room’s carved ceiling, refreshed hundreds of guest rooms, and introduced new dining options, including a Nobu restaurant and the Shore House residences.
“The Del has always been a stage for history,” said a hotel representative. “From presidential breakfasts to movie shoots, our restoration ensures that the legacy continues for generations.”
Hotel del Coronado’s historical significance includes hosting President Benjamin Harrison in 1891 and Richard Nixon’s 1970 state dinner with Mexico’s president. Classic film exteriors, such as Billy Wilder’s Some Like It Hot, were also filmed on the property, adding to its cultural footprint.
Reviving California’s Historic Hotels
These restorations are about more than preserving architecture—they are a way to keep California’s tourism legacy alive. Historic hotels in California like La Bahia, El Roblar, and Hotel del Coronado offer visitors not only a place to stay but a chance to experience the history, architecture, and coastal charm that have defined the Golden State for over a century.
From La Bahia’s Santa Cruz beachfront luxury to El Roblar’s Ojai charm and Hotel del Coronado’s San Diego grandeur, these properties showcase the enduring appeal of California hotels as destinations themselves.
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