The best hotels in California
With its vibrant cities, golden sandy beaches, rolling surf and craggy mountain ranges, the sun-soaked state of California really does have it all – including some of the finest hotels in America. Whether you’re after urban cool in Los Angeles, secluded luxury in swanky Montecito or jaw-dropping ocean views along the Pacific Coast Highway, our picks of the bunch have got all the bases covered.
How we choose the best hotels in California
Every hotel on this list has been selected independently by our editors and written by a Condé Nast Traveller journalist who knows the destination and has stayed at that property. When choosing hotels, our editors consider both luxury properties and boutique and lesser-known boltholes that offer an authentic and insider experience of a destination. We're always looking for beautiful design, a great location and warm service – as well as serious sustainability credentials. We update this list regularly as new hotels open and existing ones evolve.