Historic Santa Maria Inn in Santa Maria (Santa Barbara County), California

The Historic Santa Maria Inn opened in 1917 and has hosted notable celebrity guests including Marilyn Monroe, Rudolph Valentino, and President Herbert Hoover. The hotel's English country inn character is preserved through antique furnishings, stained glass windows, and a courtyard with rose gardens and fountains. A self-guided tour brochure maps the rooms where these historical figures stayed, marked by stars on the doors.

The hotel offers 164 well-appointed rooms and suites across two sections: the original historic wing with antique decor and the newer Executive Tower with modern amenities. The Executive Tower Corner Grande Suite on the sixth floor provides a jacuzzi tub, bay window views of Broadway, and a separate living area. Many rooms in the historic wing feature bay windows, crown molding, and balconies overlooking the courtyard pool.

The Century Room serves California cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner on a patio overlooking the hotel's courtyard. The Olde English Tap Room and The Wine Cellar and Martini Bar offer extensive cocktail menus with locally sourced wines and craft beers, plus small bites and free popcorn during happy hour. In-room dining from The Century Room is available for guests who prefer to eat in their suite.

The outdoor swimming pool is surrounded by well-maintained gardens with royal palms, and the hot tub features high-pressure jets. A fitness center, on-site salon offering hair and facial treatments, and a sauna are available for guest use. The hotel also provides versatile meeting spaces for conferences and events, with access to the courtyard for outdoor functions.

The hotel is located in Santa Maria, 30 minutes from Riverbench Vineyard and Winery and within 20 minutes of Solvang and Pismo Beach. Guests with dogs receive a pet-friendly room in designated areas with a dedicated pet relief zone stocked with waste bags. Complimentary self-parking is provided in a lot and a multi-story garage, with accessible parking spaces available.

History: Opened in 1917, hosted Marilyn Monroe, Rudolph Valentino, and President Hoover

Rooms: 164 rooms including Executive Tower Corner Grande Suite with jacuzzi tub

Dining: Three on-site venues - The Century Room, Olde English Tap Room, and Wine Cellar & Martini Bar

Amenities: Outdoor pool, hot tub, fitness center, sauna, and full-service salon

Location: Central Coast wine country with over 58 wineries within 30 minutes

Pet Policy: Pet-friendly with designated walking area and waste bags