15 Retro, Revamped California Inns for a Pitstop Along Your Road Trip Adventure

From Oceanside to San Luis Obispo and Little River, there are plenty of roadside motels with vintage charm ready to welcome you for the night.

All across California , historical wayside motels have been experiencing some earnestly impressive revamping in the variant of upscale upgrades and renovations — both inside and out . route tripsrose in popularity during the pandemic , with traveler seeking a convenient , dependable , and fun berth to spend the dark . Luckily , these historic hotels and motor inn have been transubstantiate into endearing boutique resort spots , complete with grand food for thought and bev conception , upgrade amenities , and brimming with enough reference to enjoy spend time on - situation and exploring the local region . For the next time you need an easy route tripper fromSan Diego , LA , orSan Francisco , here are 15 revamp spots to rest your capitulum in the midst of your vintage road trip adventure .

Cambria Beach Lodge

CambriaSituated along the Central Coast , the Cambria Beach Lodge open in 2016 after undergo a complete design overhaul and renovation , becoming the first lifestyle boutique motel in Cambria . The lodge is perched on the land side by side to Moonstone Beach , just steps from the sand . Beyond the ocean , guests can admire the gallant backdrop of the Central Coast ’s sensational mountainscape . And the position provide easy access to all ofSan Luis Obispo County ’s preferent pastimes : surfriding , hiking , wine tasting , and out-of-door adventuring . Even though there ’s passel to do off - site , invitee should know that one of the good blank space to expend time in the region might just be at the lodge on the open - melodic line rooftop deck , which boasts scenic 360 - stage views .

San Luis Creek Lodge

San Luis ObsipoNestled in the warmness of San Luis Obispo , San Luis Creek Lodge sport lighthearted , contemporary California intent meshed with a relaxed bohemian aesthetic . The modern farmhouse exterior discover room with adequate time of origin and modern design inspiration — with muted colour palettes , whirl marble on bathroom countertop , and fires that howl behind lusterlessness - white fireplaces . Guests can choose between multiple types of rooms — let in the special Premiere King Room , which hosts a king - sized layer and a gas fireplace , making for maximal coziness no matter the time of year . In - elbow room oblation admit Aesop bathtub amenities and dreamy marble countertops .

The Pacific Motel

CayucosThe original site of The Pacific Motel was really one of Cayucos ’ first hostel . brook as a set of 13 historic twenties bungalows , this property reopened its doors in the fall of 2022 after a complete glow - up and extensive rebrand that maintains the classic motor inn feel while keep to repulse touristry to this iconic seaside city on the Central Coast . With its sense of hominess and prize location just steps from the sea and moxie , node can love easy admittance to explore one of California ’s most beloved beach townsfolk . Blue - and - white - stripy awnings greet Guest with nostalgic amenities like Tivoli tuner ( modernized with Bluetooth ! ) and toasty fireplace . Snuggle up in front of the fervour in one of the gamey - character Parachute blade robes that are usable to Edgar Albert Guest .

Skyview Los Alamos

Santa Ynez ValleyGracing a hilltop in the Santa Ynez Valley , travelers can enjoy drop sentence at the site of this legendary 1950s wayside motel turned sybaritic boutique resort . The of late restored , 33 - room inn brag its own on - situation restaurant and sweeping peck of Santa Barbara wine-coloured state from a wide , five - Accho frontier settlement . Dive into the class - round heated pool , which offers poolside service , or loosen up in the comfortable invitee rooms , which feature upscale creature comforts like hardwood floors , leather article of furniture , and lav outfitted with posh marble furnishings . Many of the room even offer their own indoor fireplaces and individual patios to say a book and soak up the sunshine . Explore off - site and take one of the complimentary motorcycle into town , or saunter through the dimension ’s working on - internet site vinery .

Hotel Ynez

BuelltonHidden on a reaching of highway between the quaint Central Coast villages of Solvang and Santa Ynez , Hotel Ynezis an upscale , rustic - chic wine-colored country escape that bursts with a welcoming , laid - back vibration . spread out in 2021 , the prop emits a sense of peaceful mundaneness , featuring personalized creature comforts like woven hammocks appointed to each guestroom patio and multiple hearth scattered throughout the outside courtyard . drop time outdoors enjoy a book underneath the shade of the 100 - year - one-time oak tree trees , or get in a militant plot of bocce on the testicle court . Those who would choose to relax inside can admire an impressive collection of in - room artistry and furnishings that are source from all over the world — include Morocco , Oaxaca , and some from nearby Santa Barbara .

Wildflower Boutique Motel

gunpoint ArenaSet along Highway 1 in Point Arena on the Mendocino Coast , the Wildflower Boutique Motel had , for a time , fallen into disrepair as an abandoned roadside motel . Thankfully , it ’s since been transformed into a cozy , eco - friendly dodging with bright , riotous gardens and modern amenities and design elements . Outside , guests can spend prison term in airy , outdoor spaces that volunteer relax walkways to stroll and look up to the aboriginal flowers . The motel features 14 invitee suite with personal patios — each of which compensate protection to an private , local wildflower . within , the rooms are elevated with personalized touches — let in tradition article of furniture that was crafted from wind - fallen cypress tree Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , rude - stone flooring , and comfortable cotton plant linens . The property is environmentally friendly , with the solar panels on the motel ’s roof bring forth about 60 % of the place ’s electricity , and each parking spotlight boasts its very own EV charge station .

Astro Motel

Santa RosaThe retroAstro Motelin Santa Rosa dates back to 1963 — the heydey of the classic American motor Sir Oliver Lodge — but was of late purchase and underwent a $ 10 - million remodel , transforming into a overhaul , 34 - room inn . This trendy hotel is located in Santa Rosa ’s artsy SOFA territorial dominion , which is walkable to dozens of artists ' studios , galleries , and other interesting local businesses . Guests can know original , mid - century forward-looking furnishings and eclectic art pieces — admit the lucullan , on - internet site edible garden . Outdoorsy guest will make merry in the motel ’s very own bike sofa , which offers dedicated pecker for fixing tires and correct gears , and the on - web site Shinola cycle lease are made for exploring the realm on two wheel . The national element of this motel are truly down to earth — the original concrete floor were shine and restored to preserve its account .

The Green Room

OceansideOceanside ’s Green Room Hotel in reality dates back more than six decades , but reopened as a bungalow - style boutique hotel in the summertime of 2021 , with 12 , on an individual basis curated rooms . Lean into the easygoing surfer vibe with on - internet site beach cruiser bikes and surfboard . The inn is located on Pacific Coast Highway in SouthOceanside , a fantastic maculation for explore a divers batting order of restaurants , brewery , and an impressive nightlife shot . For those who do n’t feel like leaving the property , there ’s a luxurious , cedar - manner blistering bathtub in the mutual country , along with a communal fire colliery and field day tables which make for a big lieu to connect with fellow travelers and friends alike . Inside the guestroom , visitors can admire the custom artwork made by local artists alongside mid - century modern furnishings , including unique Moroccan rugs , retro appliances , and individual terrace .

Cuyama Buckhorn

New CuyamaCuyama Buckhorn in New Cuyama was built back in 1952 , primitively suffice as a gathering space for the local community during the township ’s time as a booming petroleum part . Today , the holding has been given a novel , updated and upgrade life sentence — a sybaritic boutique resort nestled in the remote rolling pitcher’s mound and quaint tilth of New Cuyama . Guests will experience an atmosphere that ’s high - end but not ostentatious , with room outfitted in classic Western interior decoration with vintage furnishings and custom - built furniture . outside terrace spaces are made for spend meter in the desert sunshine by day or gazing up at the clear , starry sky by night . There ’s an on - web site restaurant serve farm - to - tabular array quilt nutrient , and the property on a regular basis host event that invite the local residential area and travelers to enjoy the farming that ’s recognise as the “ Hidden Valley of Enchantment . ”

White Water Cambria

CambriaJust across the street from the beach , the 25 - elbow room , boutique White Water Cambria club blends the tender , rude ingredient of the Central Coast within the prop ’s interior and exterior purpose . Travelers will become immersed in the coolheaded , gentle color and soft earth tones that clothe the walls of this middle - catching roadside lodge . The muted colors seen in the property ’s design compliment those of the natural landscape and pay homage to the town ’s constant state of fog . Luckily , each way is furnish with a gas fireplace — making this space as cozy as can be , even if the sun decide it ’s spending the mean solar day hiding behind the maritime layer .

Trixie Motel

Palm SpringsDesigned by fabled drag queen Trixie Mattel , this newly renovate motel serves as an ode to Trixie ’s spunky , bright style . Boasting muckle of Barbie Pink paired with design details that spotlight the area ’s mid - century modern history , this update palace is the perfect stand out off breaker point for exploringPalm Springs ’ thrilling eating house and bar shot . Guests will never have to experience the same room twice , as each of the on an individual basis themed rooms is unique , including a dedicated honeymoon suite , a colourful entrance hall waiting area area , and of course , a pool ( it is Palm Springs , after all ) , make for the ultimate , dreamy desert getaway .

Sideways Inn

BuelltonWhen the quaint , pocket-size Central Coast town of Buellton was cast as the setting in the Academy Award - advance filmSideways , theSideways Innserved as a filming position for multiple scene of the iconic movie . But since the celluloid ’s debut , the property has been completely repair and transformed into a luxury boutique hotel that celebrates the unequaled history of the Santa Ynez Valley while also giving Guest a modern and restful place to spend the dark . visitant can explore the surrounding vino land while using this property as a welcoming home base infrastructure . Enter a real , old - populace windmill lobby when you turn back in and do n’t bury to kick back at the pools , jacuzzi , the dedicated lounge area , or the multiple out-of-door attack endocarp with artsy mural background .

Motel 6

Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara’sMotel 6isn’t just any old Motel 6 — it was actually the first U.S. placement of this well - known budget brand . While it ’s still majestic to be pretty low-priced for hosting guests , this particular location does n’t feel “ budget ” at all . Edgar Albert Guest will meet a bright , clean property that was recently update and fit out with a mountain range of retro trappings that still pay protection to its historic 1960s origins , but with all the comforts of technology and modern time . The motel is in a great location , just a few minutes ' walk from the beach and a international mile from Stearns Wharf and State Street , make for a restful and privy spot to relax after a night out on the town in the city ’s nearby , raucously entertaining Funk Zone district .

The Sea Air Inn & Suites

Morro BayThe Sea Air Inn & Suites of late reopened after an extensive remodel , offering guests a sporty , updated spot for spend the night near the ocean in San Luis Obispo County . It ’s just a pulley from the water and steps from an teemingness of shopping and dining selection , as well as local artistry heading near downtown Morro Bar . Guestrooms are outfitted in warm dry land tones that compliment the cheery beach landscape and boast a range of upscale design element , such as marble and granite counters .

The Andiron Seaside Inn & Cabins

Little RiverIn a tiny enclave of Northern California called Little River , travelers will encounter an exceptionally historic outstation , The Andiron Seaside Inn & Cabins , a set of 11 classic cabins insert aside on five acres of hayfield in scenic Mendocino County . date back to 1959 , this property was recently remodel under new possession . Each guest cottage sport a unambiguously deck inside sport a collection of outmoded , vintage , salvaged , and recycled tchotchkes . Discover the old Viewmasters , admire the preserved 1950s fabrics , and revel in this retro - chic hideaway nestle on the edge of the sea in Northern California . Each cabin has its own unequalled subject , too — Cabin # 11 , which is called “ Curious , ” have an teemingness of option for engage your mother wit of wonder , including a scope and guide to the nighttime sky , former - but - still - work binoculars , Audubon print , a skirt whistle , and more .

Skyview Los Alamos