Historic California Landmarks Reinvented as Boutique Hotels
Some boutique hotels come with more than style and service—they come with stories. Across California, a surprising number of stays began as something entirely different: a lighthouse guiding ships to shore, a courthouse annex, even a 1950s auto repair garage. These buildings have lived whole other lives before being reborn as one-of-a-kind escapes for travelers. Today, their pasts whisper through preserved architecture, clever design nods, and the occasional ghost of their former purpose.
The Butler Hotel
A sophisticated industrial-chic retreat in San Luis Obispo, The Butler Hotel was once a 1950s auto repair garage. The vintage metal and steel prefab structure had sat abandoned for years when a local architect saw its potential hidden beneath the overgrown ivy. Repurposed into a boutique hotel, the property still sports weathered steel panels and polished concrete floors that reveal the patina of age. Parked outside, an Airstream trailer and vintage automobiles hint at the hotel’s motorhead past. But once inside, the industrial façade gives way to an unexpectedly upscale experience with mid-century modern design elements, a vinyl library lounge, and a curated collection of art.
The Darling Hotel
The Darling Hotel’s elegantly restored Art Deco building once served justice, not rooftop cocktails. Built in 1935 as the Tulare County courthouse annex, the stunning building was part of Visalia’s old courthouse square. An earthquake destroyed the courthouse in 1952, but the surviving annex remained in use until 2008. A decade later, local investors restored the building to its former grandeur and opened it as a boutique hotel steeped in Art Deco style. Most of the original woodwork and architecture was preserved, including the lobby’s high ceilings and terrazzo floors. The former board chambers are now suites featuring original mahogany doors and built-in alcoves, while a new rooftop restaurant and heated pool infuse the storied property with modern luxury.
East Brother Light Station
Perched on a rocky islet in San Francisco Bay, East Brother Light Station has guided mariners since 1874 and remains one of California’s last Victorian lighthouses. The lighthouse was slated for demolition in the 1960s, but the Contra Costa Shoreline Parks Committee stepped in to secure recognition for the lighthouse on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1980, a non-profit organization restored the lighthouse and opened it as a bed and breakfast inn. For over 40 years, guests have arrived by boat to be carried back in time, regaled by stories of the lighthouse’s fabled past, and treated to extraordinary meals. Revenues from the inn keep the lights on and ensure the lighthouse’s ongoing restoration and maintenance.
Delta King Hotel
In the 1920s, the Delta King once ferried passengers nightly on the 10-hour cruise between San Francisco and Sacramento. During its heyday, the riverboat’s paddlewheel turned to the beat of jazz bands as patrons reveled in prohibition-era drinking, gambling, and fine dining. During World War II, the Delta King was drafted into the U.S. Navy to serve as a naval barracks and hospital ship in San Francisco Bay. Now moored along the Old Sacramento waterfront, the meticulously restored woodwork and Art Deco details evoke the ship’s glamorous cruising days while two restaurants and a bar bring a lively energy to its decks. Renovated staterooms feature period touches along with upscale amenities and riverside views. Guests enjoy a voyage through time that never leaves the dock.
Presidio Lodging
Within the historic Presidio in San Francisco, two hotels share a rich military past. The Lodge at the Presidio was a former U.S. Army barracks that housed soldiers, while the nearby Inn at the Presidio served as the Bachelor Officers’ Quarters. Both hotels preserve their red-brick facades, but inside, the buildings were reimagined as luxurious, contemporary boutique hotels that honor their military history with inspired design. The Lodge at the Presidio’s original mess hall is now an elegant dining room. The Inn at the Presidio’s suites exude the understated luxury and comfort once reserved for Army officers. Both hotels feature broad porches lined with rocking chairs and a rich array of modern comforts that evoke life “at ease.”
McCloud River Bed & Breakfast
In a former lumber town near Mt. Shasta, a historic building that once housed the lumber company’s bank, offices, and telephone switchboard is now home to the McCloud River Bed & Breakfast. Built in 1903 by the McCloud River Lumber Company, the building was a hub of town life where workers cashed paychecks and managers planned timber harvests. Beautifully restored and renovated, the McCloud River B&B turned each of the spaces into rooms inspired by their history. The switchboard operator’s office became the Switchboard Room, the complaint department became the Mother McCloud Suite, and the former bank vault was transformed into a unique private dining space.
Inn at Schoolhouse Creek
Nestled on a rise above the Mendocino Coast, the Inn at Schoolhouse Creek features several historic cottages. Among the most unique is the Water Tower Cottage. During World War II, the water tower served as a lookout equipped with an anti-aircraft battery for the U.S. Coast Guard. Today, the tower is a prime perch to watch the sunset over the ocean. The base of the tower holds a private hot tub, while a spiral staircase leads to a platform with breathtaking views. Through various eras, the inn’s other historic cottages housed mill workers, military officers, and wandering musicians. Today, they welcome guests with ocean breezes, lush gardens, and a rich history.
The Queen Anne Hotel
Built in 1890 as Miss Mary Lake’s School for Girls, The Queen Anne Hotel retains its genteel Victorian grace. Nestled on the edge of San Francisco’s Pacific Heights neighborhood, the grand Victorian was meticulously restored and transformed into a boutique hotel in the 1980s. Upon entering through the etched glass doors, the hotel transports guests to a bygone era with ornate interiors and exquisite antiques. A grand staircase leads to 48 elegant guest rooms, including the popular Mary Lake Suite, which was once the office of the school’s headmistress. Many of the rooms feature wood-burning fireplaces and floor-to-ceiling bay windows. In keeping with the period charm and traditions, the hotel serves afternoon tea and sherry in the parlor each day.
Downtown L.A. Proper Hotel
Originally built in 1926 as a private athletic club, the Downtown L.A. Proper Hotel was reimagined as a modern boutique hotel in 2021. The creative vision of designer Kelly Wearstler masterfully blends the building’s period architectural elements—including its athletic facilities—with a soulful mix of Mexican modernism and other design influences. The Basketball Suite reimagines the building’s original basketball court as a dramatic, luxury suite with double-height ceilings featuring a basketball hoop. The spacious, one-of-a-kind Pool Suite was built around the original indoor swimming pool and features a stunning ceramic tile mural.