Best Hotel Bars in California

California's hotel bars range from a seaside library to a rooftop pool. The best hotel bars in California start in Montecito with The Manor Bar at Rosewood Miramar Beach, whose cocktails celebrate literary works; the 2026 Spirited Awards listed it among the Top 10 nominees for Best U.S. Hotel Bar. Starlite at the Beacon Grand in San Francisco was a 2026 regional Top 10 honoree in the same category. Broken Shaker pours by the rooftop pool at Freehand Los Angeles, and The Whaling Bar is back at La Valencia Hotel in La Jolla. The Manor Bar is first come, first served, and asks guests to skip flip-flops, beachwear, sportswear and hats. These are the bars we would start with.