Top 10 Historic Hotels In California, USA - Updated 2024

1. Hotel Del Coronado A Curio by Hilton, Coronado (from USD 487)

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This beachfront resort is located in the small town of Coronado, about 5 mi (8 km) from San Diego. It has been an iconic landmark since it was built in 1887. The hotel’s classical Victorian wooden architecture is striking and gives it a unique charm. Over its history, it has welcomed numerous leaders, movie stars and other celebrities.

A few of its notable guests include William Taft, George W Bush, Bill Clinton, Douglas Fairbanks, Charlie Chaplin, Clark Gable, Katherine Hepburn, Marlin Monroe, Madonna and Brad Pitt. The hotel was renovated recently and has updated its interiors and amenities. Its facilities include a full-service spa, an outdoor pool, and a lounge.

2. The Inn at Death Valley (from USD 529)

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Soak up the beauty of Death Valley National Park by staying right in the middle of it. The Inn at Death Valley, within the park, first opened its doors in 1927 and has since been frequented by top Hollywood stars, including Marlon Brando and Carole Lombard.

Recently renovated, it now offers a top-of-the-line experience with modern amenities while still maintaining its old-world charm. The palm-dotted gardens surrounding the property are one of its highlights, complete with spring-fed pools and a Stargazers Deck. Guests can choose to stay within the inn or opt for private casitas. For some serious pampering, head to the on-site spa that offers a wide range of massages and body treatments.

3. Hotel La Rose, Santa Rosa (from USD 79)

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Featuring a distinctive stone façade, this early 1900s hotel is located in the heart of downtown Santa Rosa, within the historic Railroad Square. Listed in the National Trust Historic Hotels of America, this hotel exudes an elegant charm complete with vintage-style furnishing and period detailing.

Guests are housed either in the Main Building or the Carriage House, both offer plush rooms and suites. Select rooms come with a balcony or patio and offer a view of the private courtyard. The hotel hosts a free wine reception for its guests every Wednesday. A deli-cum-bar is available on site.

4. The Claremont Club & Spa, A Fairmont Hotel, Berkeley (from USD 230)

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Situated just outside San Francisco, this five-star hotel with its gleaming white façade and luxurious interiors provides a refined and sophisticated ambience that has made it a landmark property. Dating back to 1915, the hotel is located at the foot of Claremont Canyon in the Berkeley Hills, providing spectacular views of San Francisco Bay and the city itself.

Guests can enjoy plushly furnished rooms featuring classical décor and modern amenities, such as an iPod docking station, free wireless internet access, a cable TV and a minibar. The Claremont provides ample on-site facilities, including a luxurious spa, an outdoor pool, and sports grounds.

5. La Valencia Hotel, San Diego (from USD 509)

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This eye-catching, pink-coloured hotel features impressive Mediterranean-style architecture, making it an unmissable landmark in the La Jolla neighbourhood of San Diego. The hotel is nestled atop a hill, mere moments away from La Jolla Cove Beach, thus ensuring spectacular ocean views.

It opened in 1926, and over the decades, it has played host to a string of Hollywood celebs, such as Charlton Heston and Gregory Peck. Accommodation ranges from basic rooms to suites and private villas, all of which have elegant décor complete with muted shades. Other amenities available on the premises include a swimming pool, two restaurants, and a fitness centre.

6. The Hollywood Roosevelt, Los Angeles (from USD 279)

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Built in 1927, this hotel has been a favoured stomping ground of Hollywood celebs. It hosted the inaugural Academy Awards event and has been welcoming top stars and executives such as Marilyn Monroe and Clark Gable. After undergoing extensive renovation, the hotel regained its glory as a prominent landmark in downtown Hollywood.

The hotel is nestled on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and features a Spanish Colonial Revival design. Its interiors brims with vintage Hollywood glamour. Guests have the choice of staying in the Tower or one of the Cabana suites. Additional amenities include a swimming pool, a fitness centre and a massage garden.

7. Benbow Historic Inn, Garberville (from USD 207)

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Located on the banks of the Eel River, Benbow Historic Inn is an award-winning boutique hotel surrounded by Redwood trees and wooded mountains in Northern California’s coastal region. This 1926 hotel was a preferred stopover for those travelling along the Redwood Highway, including dignitaries such as Spencer Tracy and Elenor Roosevelt. It was built using Douglas Fir and stands out with its Tudor Revival architecture.

The inn’s interiors evoke the elegance of the 1920s and 1930s while offering modern amenities such as an iPod docking station and a flat-screen TV in each room. Several rooms offer superb views of the river or the mountains beyond. The hotel’s ground includes a golf course, a seasonal pool, sports facilities, and hiking/biking trails.

8. InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco, an IHG Hotel (from USD 209)

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Set atop Nob Hill in the heart of San Francisco, this legendary hotel with French and Spanish Renaissance style of architecture is an imposing landmark. The hotel’s site originally had the mansion of Mark Hopkins, which was erected in 1878. After this structure was destroyed in Great San Francisco Earthquake of 1906, it was rebuilt in a lavish and grand manner by the San Francisco Art Institute.

It has welcomed several dignitaries, including Elvis Presley, Elizabeth Taylor, Prince Phillip, and Charles de Gaulle. The Top of the Mark lounge on the 19th floor offers unbeatable views of the city. All rooms, too, offer spectacular vistas of San Francisco skyline and Golden Gate Bridge.

9. Millennium Biltmore Los Angeles (from USD 148)

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Built in 1923, this renowned luxury hotel in downtown Los Angeles has featured in several films and TV series, including The Dark Knight Rises and CSI. It boasts opulent interiors, complete with murals, frescoes, ornate marble columns, fountains, as well as stunning ceilings, some of which are hand-painted.

Rendezvous Court is where the hotel serves its famed Afternoon Tea, while Gallery Bar is perfect for a nightcap. The hotel’s rooms are warmly furnished and come with premium amenities such as a marble bathroom.

10. The Mission Inn Hotel and Spa, Riverside (from USD 189)

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Evoking the splendour of European castles, this magnificent hotel in downtown Riverside boasts grand spires, domes, and towers built in Spanish Mission-style. The most prominent of this property is its five-storey rotunda. The hotel, which opened in 1876, has been restored extensively and now blends modern luxuries with old-world grandeur.

All rooms boast elegant décor and come with high-end amenities, including a fireplace, an in-room safe, and a coffee maker. Other facilities on the premises include a spa, a swimming pool, and multiple restaurants. The hotel’s six-week-long Festival of Lights is a popular event that starts the day after Thanksgiving.

Step back in time at California's historic hotels

The distinctive ambience of historic hotels and their storied past make your stay in itself an experience to cherish. California has numerous historic hotels that each have a tale to tell. Our above list of the top historic hotels in California, USA, is a great place to start your search for the right option.