From the cliffs of La Jolla to the sun-drenched Coachella Valley, these hotels aren’t only places to stay—they are living monuments to the state’s first true era of luxury.
player ready... In the mid-1920s, Southern California was a land of feverish transformation. The Roaring Twenties had brought an influx of wealth, Hollywood glamour, and a Mediterranean-inspired architectural boom that would forever define the region’s aesthetic.
In 2026, five of California’s most storied properties are celebrating their centennials. From the cliffs of La Jolla to the sun-drenched Coachella Valley, these hotels aren’t only places to stay—they are living monuments to the state’s first true era of luxury. When the Breakers first opened its doors in 1926, it was the tallest building in Long Beach and the undisputed crown jewel of the waterfront.
A Spanish Renaissance Revival masterpiece, it served as a hideaway for the likes of Elizabeth Taylor and Cary Grant. After decades of serving various roles—from a wartime military outpost to senior housing—the property has reclaimed its throne. Reopening as the Fairmont Breakers, the hotel enters its second century through guided heritage tours and a time capsule guest encounter.
Its revived venues bridge the gap between eras; guests can find live jazz at Alter Ego, enjoy the glamour of arrivals past at La Sala, or linger over handmade pastas at Nettuno. For a modern perspective, the rooftop HALO offers cocktails above the skyline. And at the legendary Sky Room, guests can once again sip martinis with a 360-degree view of the Pacific.
La Valencia Hotel, La Jolla Perched high above the La Jolla Cove, the “Pink Lady,” as she is affectionately called, has been at the heart of this seaside village since December 1926. Originally opened as Los Apartmentos de Sevilla, the hotel quickly became a favorite of the Hollywood elite. With its signature pink stucco, hand-painted murals, and Mediterranean tilework, La Valencia feels like a piece of the Amalfi Coast transported to La Jolla.
Every Thursday on the Med Patio, guests can enjoy live jazz and Prohibition-era cocktails like the Mary Pickford, named for the star who once graced these halls. Join a historic property tour or browse commemorative pink keepsakes. Whether you’re dining in the Mediterranean Room or indulging in drinks at the Whaling Bar—a haunt of Raymond Chandler and Groucho Marx—its 100-year-old grandeur remains unchanged. Generations of guests have enjoyed the pool at La Valencia Hotel.
The historic La Jolla property opened in 1926. A La Valencia Hotel postcard, no date listed, donated by Mrs. Clara String. Generations of guests have enjoyed the pool at La Valencia Hotel. The historic La Jolla property opened in 1926.
Few buildings embody the opulence of 1920s Santa Monica like Hotel Casa del Mar. It debuted in May 1926 as an exclusive private beach club, costing a then-staggering $2 million to construct. Its Italian Renaissance Revival facade was designed to be a palace by the sea, hosting high-stakes bridge games and Gatsby-esque galas for the era’s titans of industry.
After a mid-century stint as a health center and military facility, it was restored to its original glory in the late 1990s. Today, its soaring ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows offer the same dramatic views of the Santa Monica Pier that greeted guests a century ago. The hotel’s Prohibition-themed cocktail menu is available all year at Terrazza. Visitors can also explore the Centennial Memory Walls, featuring archival images from the property’s early days.
The opulent entry at Hotel Casa del Mar in Santa Monica, CA. While the coast was booming, Walter H. Morgan was looking toward the desert. In December 1926, he opened 20 adobe casitas at the foot of the Santa Rosa Mountains, calling it La Quinta. It was the first true desert resort in the Coachella Valley, offering a quiet, citrus-scented sanctuary for stars like Greta Garbo and Clark Gable.
To celebrate 100 years, the resort is honoring its roots with “centennial dishes”—including the legendary peanut butter pie that has been a staple for generations—and a centennial margarita crafted from exclusive tequilas. Despite its growth into a world-class golf and tennis destination, the original 1926 casitas still stand, offering the same unhurried serenity they did a century ago. La Quinta was the first true desert resort in the Coachella Valley and a haven for Hollywood stars.
]In 1925, a massive earthquake leveled much of downtown Santa Barbara, leading to a citywide mandate for Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. Rising from the dust in 1926, Hotel Santa Barbara became a symbol of the city’s resilience. Located on the bustling State Street, this boutique gem has spent its first century as the front door to the city’s culture.
Its centennial year marks the debut of a beautifully renovated lobby and 1926, a new bar that pays homage to the year of its birth with Prohibition-era craft cocktails and locally-inspired food. Hotel Santa Barbara remains the perfect vantage point for experiencing the timeless charm of the American Riviera. The hotel is also a hub for the city’s 100 Years of Fiesta celebrations this August, honoring a century of shared heritage.
Hotel Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara, CA, marks its centennial year with the debut of its renovated lobby and 1926, a new bar.
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