These Roadside Retreats Have Been Given New Life
California’s motels are having a serious glow-up. Across the state, once-forgotten roadside inns and motor lodges have been transformed into boutique retreats that blend midcentury charm with modern amenities. From wine country escapes to coastal hideaways and desert gems, these reimagined properties offer unique design elements, thoughtful touches and a laid-back vibe perfect for today’s traveler. Whether you’re seeking a luxurious poolside stay, a chic surf-inspired getaway or a rustic haven in the heart of nature, these revamped motels in California prove that cool doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are some of the best boutique hotels to check into for your next California adventure.
Skyview Los Alamos
Perched above the charming town of Los Alamos, Skyview reimagines a 1950s motor lodge with modern sophistication. This boutique retreat features 33 stylish rooms, a heated pool and plant-based dining at its restaurant, Norman, making it a favorite for Southern California road-trippers seeking laid-back luxury.
Rooms are outfitted with hardwood floors, marble-accented bathrooms and private patios in Deluxe options, offering stunning views of Santa Ynez wine country. Guests can unwind in succulent-filled gardens with fire pits or explore the town using the hotel’s complimentary Linus bikes. Blending vintage charm with modern comfort, Skyview is the ultimate wine country escape.
Location: Los Alamos
San Luis Creek Lodge
San Luis Creek Lodge combines farmhouse charm with surf-shack chic, offering luxurious touches like Italian linens and Aesop bath products. Located in downtown San Luis Obispo, this boutique hotel in California is perfectly positioned between San Francisco and Los Angeles, near Pismo Beach, coastal hikes and Paso Robles vineyards. Premiere King rooms with gas fireplaces are ideal for couples. Meanwhile, amenities like free WiFi, Linus bikes and a curated minibar featuring local wines enhance the experience. Pet-friendly and accessible, this boutique retreat is the ultimate stop for exploring California’s Central Coast.
Location: San Luis Obispo
The Green Room Hotel
Reborn in 2021, The Green Room Hotel transforms a 1950s motel into a stylish bungalow-style retreat in South Oceanside.
The property features 12 uniquely designed rooms, including studios, a one-bedroom suite, and a family-friendly two-bedroom suite. Each space offers laid-back luxury with custom local artwork, mid-century furnishings, Moroccan rugs, and private patios. Guests can embrace the coastal vibe with complimentary beach cruiser bikes and surfboards. On-site amenities include a cedar-style hot tub, communal fire pit, and picnic tables for relaxation. Located on Pacific Coast Highway, this boutique hotel is perfectly situated to explore Oceanside’s vibrant restaurants, breweries, and nightlife.
Location: Oceanside
Le Petit Pali Brentwood
Located in Brentwood, just 10 minutes from the Santa Monica Pier, Le Petit Pali blends charm, comfort and luxury in its 25-room boutique hotel. Housed in the former Brentwood Inn, this 1947 property has been reimagined by Palisociety with vintage-inspired design and thoughtful touches like taupe-washed brick walls, reclaimed oak floors and bold striped wallpaper.
Guests enjoy daily perks, including a complimentary breakfast basket, freshly baked cookies, Antipodes water and Baci chocolates. Rooms are outfitted with Diptyque bath amenities, Bellino linens and locally curated minibars. The welcoming reception area and serene outdoor patio, with a central fountain and bistro seating, set the tone for a relaxed, elegant stay.
Local Insight: This is Palisociety’s third Le Petit Pali property, following openings in Carmel-by-the-Sea, with plans to expand to Laguna Beach and St. Helena by 2025.
Location: Brentwood
Cuyama Buckhorn
Cuyama Buckhorn is a restored 1952 midcentury gem in northern Santa Barbara County, perfect for anyone who truly likes to live off the grid. With 21 stylish rooms, a revamped pool and outdoor spaces perfect for relaxation, it’s a hidden gem in the “Hidden Valley of Enchantment.” Guests can explore the Los Padres National Forest and the Carrizo Plain. Or they can enjoy on-site amenities like fire pits, bocce ball and a barrel sauna.
The Buckhorn Restaurant, led by Chef Daniel Horn, highlights hyper-local fare, including a signature Santa Maria-style tri-tip sandwich, while the bar serves craft cocktails and small-batch spirits. Perfect for a remote yet trendy escape, Cuyama Buckhorn is redefining the high-desert getaway.
Location: New Cuyama
Trixie Motel
Step into a whimsical world of pink perfection at the Trixie Motel in the heart of Palm Springs that feels like it was plucked straight from a Polly Pocket dreamscape. With seven uniquely themed rooms awash in vibrant hues, this hideaway offers all the essentials for a fabulous getaway. There’s a heated pool, sun-drenched lounge spots and plenty of Instagram-worthy corners to sip cocktails and share secrets.
Located just steps away from Palm Springs hotspots, the Trixie Motel is ideally situated for a lively girls’ weekend or bachelorette bash. Pop over to Sandfish Sushi & Whiskey for inventive rolls and cocktails, or wander to Bootlegger Tiki to toast with tropical libations. Every inch of this dazzling pink-and-white escape screams Barbiecore chic, making it as much a destination as it is a place to stay.
Local Insight: Check out our downtown Palm Springs dining guide to round out your perfectly curated desert weekend.
Location: Palm Springs
The Pearl Hotel
Built in 1959 by local architect Robert Platt, The Pearl Hotel harkens back to an era of posh, Hollywood glamour. The San Diego hotel was revitalized in 2019 by the Casetta Group. They introduced organic materials, desert-inspired hues and thoughtful decor touches like Parachute bedding, MoonCloth bath products and vintage wall art. Though the rooms are compact, they feel more like carefully curated retreats than standard hotel rooms.
The on-site poolside restaurant Ponyboy (which debuted in late 2024) serves nostalgic American comfort cuisine with a modern twist—think ratatouille kebabs and pineapple fritters! And when you’re not noshing, you can take a dip in the iconic oyster-shaped pool or explore the local Point Loma neighborhood.
Location: Point Loma
Hotel June Malibu
Set on four lush acres along Malibu’s Pacific Coast Highway, Hotel June brings midcentury charm to life. This revitalized property redefines the classic California motel with contemporary design. Once a retreat for artists and musicians, it holds a storied history—Bob Dylan wrote “Blood on the Tracks” in Room 13. The boutique hotel features 13 private bungalows, each adorned with curated local art and serene patios. Amenities include a heated pool, Linus bikes, surfboards, and light bites from a local café available in the lobby lounge. Just minutes from Malibu’s famous beaches, Hotel June blends coastal cool with tranquil privacy. It’s a must-visit destination among California’s chic renovated motels.
Location: Malibu
The Pacific Motel
Tucked in the surf town of Cayucos, The Pacific Motel is a reimagined motor lodge located just a block from the beach. This boutique spot features fire pits, complimentary bicycles and The Salty Tiger, which offers local bites and drinks. Rooms are thoughtfully appointed with Parachute linens, Fable Rune bath products and shiplap walls, with some offering patios or wood-burning stoves. Guests can explore surf shops, charming cafes and nearby gems like Hearst Castle and Morro Bay. For a stylish and relaxing pit stop, The Pacific Motel delivers the quintessential California cool vibes you crave.
Location: Cayucos
Hotel Ynez
Between Solvang and Santa Ynez, sits Hotel Ynez, a boutique hotel perched on two serene acres in the heart of Santa Barbara wine country. Fire pits, hammocks, a bocce ball court and cozy outdoor spaces set the tone for relaxed evenings under the stars. Each of the 18 rooms exudes a bungalow-inspired vibe. Think wicker furnishings, cream-toned decor and velvety Mascioni sheets, all complemented by impressive soundproofing for a peaceful stay.
Dining takes a creative turn with custom BBQ kits for grilling your own wine-country feast, while nearby wineries like Sunstone and Buttonwood offer unforgettable tasting experiences. Balancing seclusion with accessibility, Hotel Ynez provides the perfect retreat for those seeking understated elegance amid California’s picturesque wine country.
Location: Solvang
El Caminante Hotel
El Caminante Hotel & Bungalows brings Spanish-inspired elegance to Capistrano Beach. This redesigned PCH property features ornate Spanish hacienda-style details. These include Saltillo tile floors, Talavera murals and vintage Monterey furniture. In terms of size, there are 30 intimate bungalows, including the luxurious “El Camino” suite and “The Hacienda” casita with a private ocean-view deck. Each room boasts sweeping views of Capo Beach. Many feature private patios complete with custom chimineas for enjoying the coastal breeze.
The lobby bar offers handcrafted cocktails and shareable plates, along with a breakfast menu of acai bowls, grilled breakfast sandwiches and fresh pastries. Guests can also enjoy wellness-focused amenities, including sound baths, complimentary electric bikes and state park passes.
Location: Capistrano Beach
