New Hotel and Event Space Opening in Santa Barbara this Summer

Scheduled to open this summer, Santa Barbara’s newest luxury property, the Hotel Californian, will feature 20,000 square feet of meeting and event space.

The 121-room property is located steps from the beach, one block from Union Station and adjacent to the Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone. Featuring Spanish Colonial Revival architecture and modern Moorish interior decor from celebrity designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard, it incorporates the facade of the original 1925 Hotel Californian.

The hotel’s 20,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space can accommodate groups of up to 200 or more. It is also amenable to smaller executive retreats or full buyouts. Depending on size, groups can use the entire building. New event spaces in its three buildings are:

The Californian Building: Preserving the facade of the original 1925 Hotel Californian, the Californian Building is four storeys high. Its fourth floor is home to a 1,300-square-foot rooftop pool and event deck that provides unobstructed, 360-degree views of the Pacific Ocean and Santa Ynez mountains. Capacity: 180.

The Mason Building: Comprised of two three-storey structures, the Mason building includes an executive boardroom and five meeting rooms with private patios. It is suitable for meetings of up to 60 and available for groups looking for a buyout. The meeting rooms range from 520 square feet to 664 square feet, and can be divided into two equal sections. They surround a shared hospitality lounge. A 770-square-foot meeting room and 350-square-foot boardroom are located adjacent to the lobby and library.

The State Building: A dynamic, flexible event venue, it offers a 4,200-square-foot plaza lawn, 3,000-square-foot ballroom and a 3,500-square-foot rooftop event deck, which can accommodate groups up to 300. It is also home to the hotel’s signature 1,700-square-foot Presidential suite.

“The best leisure destinations combine the romance of the past with an unexpected twist of modern fun,” said Carol Lopes, managing director of the Hotel Californian. “These event spaces do more than set the stage, they help create celebrations with legacy.”

The property, which is located at the intersection of State and Mason streets, also has a luxury, Moroccan-inspired spa, a fashion boutique and casual dining options.