Trying to find a great hotel while on your vacation can be a challenge. The hotel you choose can set the tone for your entire vacation so it is necessary to find a place to stay that is truly satisfying. California is known for its quirky attractions, including its many options for lodging, which is why the Golden State draws so many visitors. Spending a night or two at one of these 5 unique California hotels is a great way to ensure you will have a memorable excursion.
The Madonna Inn has been a San Luis Obispo landmark for more than 50 years. The inn features a restaurant, bakery, shops and a limo service. The truly genius feature of the hotel, however, is the fact that each of the 110 guest rooms have different themes. Most of the rooms are European style, however each one is different. Some rooms have grottos and waterfall showers while others have fireplaces and round beds. Stay in the world famous caveman room or the golf themed suite. Each room offers some kitschy flair.
San Bernardino’s Wigwam Motel is a staple of historic Route 66. Established in 1949 when the city was just a large orange grove, the motel is now situated between major cities but still offers a rural, vintage feeling. Each motel room is actually a 30 foot tall stucco tepee, modeled after Native American styles. The grounds also feature outdoor grills and a swimming pool for those hot, lazy days. This retro inn is one of the three remaining Wigwam Motels in the country.
Another of the most unique California hotels is Treebones, a Big Sur resort situated along Pacific Coast Highway. Stop at this coastal destination along Highway 1 to spend a night in a yurt. A yurt is essentially a giant tent structure that appears more like a cabin on the inside. These yurts offer spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and visitors can star gaze at night from the comfort of their own beds. The resort also offers a heated swimming pool and an outdoor sushi bar.
The Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel, just an hour south of San Francisco, is another Pacific Ocean destination. Located on a cliff, this hostel offers private and shared rooms. Guests sleep inside the historical lighthouse keeper’s portion of the lighthouse. This is the ideal place to stay to hear the crashing waves against the cliff and to watch for sea life early in the morning.
For a nostalgic 1950s weekend of rest and relaxation, spend a few days at the Palm Springs Rendezvous. This is one of the most uniquely themed bed and breakfasts in the nation with each room in a different 1950s theme, from James Dean to television shows of the 1950s. Marilyn Monroe fans will want to stay in the room named after her; the star actually stayed in this exact room once.
