31 Best Hotels in The Central Coast, California

Built in 1915 and following more than $100 million of extensive renovations a century later, this Santa Barbara icon lives on to thrill a new generation of guests with its relaxed-luxe bungalow rooms, lush gardens, and personalized service. The landmark-preserved, Mediterranean-style complex has hosted many luminaries over the years, including President Franklin D. Roosevelt and privacy-seeking stars from Hollywood's golden years. Rooms and suites come in two styles of bungalows—Craftsman and Mission—nestled among lush gardens, courtyards, and pathways.

Hundreds of celebrities have escaped to this romantic resort on 160 tranquil acres 1,200 feet above the Pacific, where you can participate in a range of activities, workshops, and programs; sunbathe; hike in the nearby hills; or pamper yourself with mind-and-body treatments in the spa or your own private quarters. All rooms have walls of natural wood and cool tile floors; some have private hot tubs on expansive outdoor decks. If you prefer more rustic accommodations at a lower rate, opt for one of the resort's 15 safari-style glamping cabins in the redwoods.

Owned by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, this hotel offers a full slate of upscale amenities and public areas that feature mahogany, oak, and maple floors and furnishings; stone tiles; granite countertops; and textured walls and color schemes that reflect a chic, contemporary vibe. Guest rooms, done in rosy hues, have 42-inch plasma TVs, lavish baths with rain showers, and beds with posture-pampering mattresses; ask for a room with a private balcony or terrace overlooking the mountains and vineyards.

A sprawling collection of Spanish-Moorish buildings that opened in 2017 at the site of the historic 1925 Hotel Californian, this sophisticated property with a hip youthful vibe occupies nearly three full blocks just steps from Stearns Wharf and the harbor. The complex includes various rooms and suites created by famed SoCal interior designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard, a rooftop pool deck with panoramic views, a Moroccan-theme spa, three restaurants and bars, meeting rooms, ballrooms, and three wine-tasting rooms.

San Luis Obispo's Chumash, mission, and 19th-century industrial eras blend with urban sophistication in this eco-friendly, four-story complex, which opened in 2019. Named after the most prominent of the "Nine Sisters" (volcanic plugs that define the local landscape), the hotel has spacious rooms and suites with platform beds topped with down comforters, extra-large baths with walk-in showers, and wireless audio systems and smart TVs. Other perks include a rooftop pool deck with sweeping views of the surrounding hills, an edible garden, and a 4,000-square-foot spa.

Equestrian themes surface throughout this intimate European-style boutique hotel a half block from the main square and near some of Paso's best restaurants. Each of the 16 spacious rooms is named after a famous racehorse (its history and picture hang on the wall) and includes custom European contemporary furnishings, king beds with exquisite linens and comforters, and original works of art. Most rooms have fireplaces and window seats; some have vaulted cedar ceilings. For more affordable motel-style rooms with similar ambience, check out sister property Stables Inn, a few blocks away on Spring Street, the town's main drag.

Just a block from the mission and steps from restaurants, shops, and night spots, this sleek, three-story hotel has custom-furnished rooms with light wood floors, high ceilings, and either a private balcony or terrace—often with a view of the garden courtyard and mountains. Amenities include two restaurants, three bars (including one on the roof), a full-service spa with eight treatment rooms, pool, and fitness room.

In the stagecoach days, Mattei's Tavern provided wayfarers with hearty meals and warm beds; in the early 2020s, new owners restored the 1886 building and four cottages (historic artifacts, paintings, and photos are on display everywhere) and added clapboard, cottage-style buildings with guest rooms sprinkled over the 6-acre property with winding paths and gardens amid old-growth palm and olive trees. Part of Auberge Resorts Collection, the inn offers an array of luxurious amenities. Nearly all the cozy, contemporary rooms have an indoor fireplace and private patio with fire pit or sun porch with a swing, and all hold vintage furnishings with brass accents and sumptuous bathrooms with walk-in showers; some have standalone bathtubs.

This full-service, family-owned, Spanish-Mediterranean hotel occupies a prime waterfront corner across from East Beach. The spacious rooms are decorated with Polynesian and Asian influences and have decks, refrigerators, high-definition TVs, queen or full sofa beds, and free Wi-Fi. The on-site restaurant, Convivo, serves up breakfast, lunch, and dinner (fresh seafood, house-made pastas, and wood-fired pizzas) with ocean views from the sleek dining room and outdoor patio tables. 

Decorated to the hilt with floral pillow covers and watercolors by local artists, this Wine Country–theme hotel is highly popular. Each room has a gas fireplace and fresh flowers; some rooms have canopy beds and cozy window seats. Inside are a restaurant serving American food (hearty breakfasts), a gourmet food and wine shop, a bakery, and a gift shop. Smaller, motel-style rooms are also available for a considerably lower price than the inn-style ones.

Modeled after a village in early California's Mexican period—with a facade that replicates eight different casitas, including several famous historical homes in Mexico—Avila La Fonda surrounds you with rich jewel tones, fountains, and upscale comfort. Inside, stained-glass windows and tiled murals celebrate Mexican art and life in Avila Beach. Guests can choose from two types of rooms: a spa room with a huge tub near the king bed, or a great room with a gourmet kitchen and a queen bed.

Families, honeymooners, and business travelers all find respite at this two-story oceanfront hotel, where some of the stylish nautical-theme suites have fireplaces and ocean views and all have private patios and balconies. Swim in the outdoor heated pool, play checkers on a life-size board, or practice putting on the on-site green—this place is about full-on beachside R&R.

This intimate hotel embraces Craftsman style in its wood-and-stone architecture and in custom furnishings such as faux-Tiffany lampshades. Rooms are decked out with fireplaces, flat-screen TVs, and down bedding. Most rooms have hot tubs, some on private creek-side balconies.

The lodge's modern, motel-style cottages with Mission-style furnishings and vaulted ceilings sit in a meadow surrounded by redwood trees and flowering shrubbery. Some rooms have fireplaces, and some have kitchens; all have a deck or a patio. The larger, multibed rooms and suites are a good choice for families.

A full-service hotel in the heart of downtown, this Kimpton property blends a casual, beach-getaway feel with contemporary California style. Spanish tiles, wood floors, and sea-grass color schemes create an exotic mood throughout. Homey touches in the light-filled rooms include wood-and-rattan four-poster beds, yoga mats, and canvas tote bags to take along while touring the town. The sixth-floor, guests-only rooftop lounge has a pool and stunning views.

Reasonable rates for the area, an oceanfront location, evening bonfires, and well-equipped rooms—some with wood-burning fireplaces and private patios—make this motel a great choice.

This sparkling Spanish Colonial Revival–style hotel in the heart of the Arts District, formerly a classic 1959 motor inn, opened in fall 2022 as a sophisticated refuge with spacious, seaside-theme rooms, hip Euro-contemporary interior spaces, and a stellar Mediterranean-centric restaurant, St. Rémy, open all day and evening. This is a good choice for those who would like to park the car and walk or bike to downtown attractions.

A 12-story hotel with an enviable location on the beach and next to a historic pier, the Crowne Plaza is within walking distance of downtown restaurants and nightlife. All rooms have balconies and ocean views of some sort—ask for a room on the west or north side to catch the sunsets. The hotel's restaurant and bar have ocean views, too. For a fabulous SoCal moment, grab a seat on the patio near the firepit if the weather's good.

At this rustic-modern complex of adobe-and-redwood buildings, you can choose between motel-style rooms, cabins, and cottages in the woods. Rooms have a contemporary, earth-tone look and a "green" sensibility, with organic linens and wool carpets, and walk-in showers with natural river-rock radiant-heated tiles. All have gas fireplaces, and some have private outdoor patios.

Built in 1922 in the heart of downtown and still sparkling, the two-story Granada is a vintage-style retreat with hardwood floors, redbrick walls, and antique rugs. All rooms have Italian linens, marble vanities, and custom art; some rooms have fireplaces, and suites have floor-to-ceiling windows and a balcony.

A favorite among Channel Islands visitors, this quiet, comfortable, lodge-inspired property sits right at the Ventura Harbor entrance. The guest quarters are spacious retreats with flat-screen TVs and puffy duvets. The south side of the hotel overlooks the marinas. For the best views, ask for an upperfloor harborside room or suite.

The luxe Inn at the Pier, part of Hilton's Curio collection, covers a prime city block just steps from the sand and across from the pier. The classic California beach-style rooms include private balconies; most offer ocean views. Head to the rooftop pool deck for drinks, snacks, and ocean views (don't miss the sunset hour), or to the on-site restaurant, Blonde, for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

From its rococo bathrooms to its pink-on-pink froufrou steak house, the Madonna Inn is fabulous or tacky, depending on your point of view. In several faux-Swiss buildings arrayed on a hillside, rooms are each unique, to say the least: Rock Bottom is all stone; the Safari Room is decked out in animal skins. A walking/bike path leads from the hotel to downtown San Luis Obispo, about a mile away.

A complex of five buildings on 3 landscaped acres across from East Beach, the Mar Monte, part of the Hyatt family of properties, is an appealing lodging option, where the historic main building (circa 1931) reflects old Santa Barbara—Spanish tiles, wrought-iron chandeliers, and vintage black-and-white photos. All rooms and baths have down comforters, flat-screen high-definition TVs, contemporary furnishings, and refrigerators; some deluxe and ocean-view rooms have private balconies or patios.

On the site of an old spa hotel of the same name, this inn has various buildings clustered around a lush, shaded garden with a pool. Each of the 18 Deluxe Spa rooms has a hot tub in its bathroom or on its balcony, and bears the name of a local winery that supplied the room's photography, artwork, and other special touches. The Piccolo at the Paso Robles Inn is a four-story luxury hotel with a rooftop bar adjacent to the historic property.

At this cliff-top resort—the only inn and restaurant for miles around—glass walls in most rooms open to awesome ocean views. Though not especially luxurious, some rooms have spa tubs, kitchenettes, and fireplaces. The restaurant is a good place for well-made American fare (sandwiches, salads, pastas, and main courses) before or after the winding Highway 1 drive. Even if you're just passing by, stop to stretch your legs on the 14 acres of lush gardens above the sea.

Spacious, contemporary rooms, a peaceful location just steps from San Buenaventura State Beach, and easy access to downtown arts and culture make the Marriott a popular choice. The hotel completed a head-to-toe remodel of public spaces and rooms in 2018. Rooms reflect a subdued upscale nautical theme, the expansive lobby welcomes guests with warm colors and comfy lounge areas, and a lush garden courtyard offers quiet nooks for relaxation.

This stylish, yet casual Marriott Autograph Collection resort, on the town’s famed boardwalk just steps from the beach and the Pismo Pier, feels like a luxury beach house, with a swank living room–style lobby-lounge, a pool and hot tub, an outdoor bar, and a lawn with firepits—all overlooking the ocean. Well-appointed rooms range from standard kings to lavish suites; some have kitchenettes, all have spa-like bathrooms with marble countertops, and most have private balconies with ocean views.