Expect the unexpected during each new full moon with inventive cocktails by legendary mixologist Devon Espinosa. With personalized Tarot card readings and Runes readings, there's no telling what exciting experiences will unfold during the Pink Moon. Let your crazy out and vibe to Val-Mar Records spinning vinyl, play some classic board games and get lost in the experience.

This is a free event, but feel free to RSVP and follow Hotel Californian on Instagram for the latest news and highlights.

April may bring showers, but this month's Uncorked and On The Rocks is letting the tequila flow. Master Mixologist Devon Espinosa is back and teaming up with Executive Chef Travis Watson to lead you through a journey of the Jalisco Highlands with an Tequila El Mexicano dinner. The evening will begin with a reception on the patio, followed by a four-course dinner in Blackbird, carefully curated to perfectly pair with these cocktails. 

6:00PM Reception
Blackbird Patio

6:30PM Paired Dinner
Blackbird

*Dinner Menu Coming Soon*

Expect the unexpected during each new full moon with inventive cocktails by legendary mixologist Devon Espinosa. With personalized Tarot card readings and Runes readings, there's no telling what exciting experiences will unfold during the Flower Moon. Let your crazy out and vibe to Val-Mar Records spinning vinyl, play some classic board games and get lost in the experience.

This is a free event, but feel free to RSVP and follow Hotel Californian on Instagram for the latest news and highlights.

The Santa Barbara Culinary Experience (SBCE), in partnership with The Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts, is an annual celebration of all things food & drink in Santa Barbara County. There's no one better to host this month's Uncorked and On The Rocks than Lorna Kreutz, who oversees winemaking at three amazing Santa Barbara County wineries. Lorna will take us through the exquisite wines from Lincourt Vineyards, Foley Estates, and Firestone Vineyard, alongside a delectable dinner curated by Executive Chef Travis Watson. The evening will begin with a reception on the patio, followed by a four-course dinner in Blackbird, carefully curated to perfectly pair with these wines. 

This dinner will feature two seatings, one at 5:30PM and the other at 8:00PM. 

*Dinner Menu Coming Soon*

Expect the unexpected during each new full moon with inventive cocktails by legendary mixologist Devon Espinosa. With personalized Tarot card readings and Runes readings, there's no telling what exciting experiences will unfold during the Strawberry Moon. Let your crazy out and vibe to Val-Mar Records spinning vinyl, play some classic board games and get lost in the experience.

This is a free event, but feel free to RSVP and follow Hotel Californian on Instagram for the latest news and highlights.

Kick off your Solstice celebrations with local favorite Margerum Wine Company at this month's Uncorked and On The Rocks. Doug Margerum joins Executive Chef Travis Watson to showcase these beautiful Santa Barbara handcrafted wines, alongside a delectable dinner. The evening will begin with a reception on the patio, followed by a four-course meal in Blackbird, carefully curated to perfectly pair with these wines. 

6:00PM Reception
Blackbird Patio

6:30PM Paired Dinner
Blackbird

*Dinner Menu Coming Soon*

Expect the unexpected during each new full moon with inventive cocktails by legendary mixologist Devon Espinosa. With personalized Tarot card readings and Runes readings, there's no telling what exciting experiences will unfold during the Buck Moon. Let your crazy out and vibe to Val-Mar Records spinning vinyl, play some classic board games and get lost in the experience.

This is a free event, but feel free to RSVP and follow Hotel Californian on Instagram for the latest news and highlights.

Embrace the extraordinary and the eclectic this summer as Blackbird teams up with The Sanguis Collection for Uncorked and On The Rocks. Owner and winemaker Matthias Pippig joins forces with Executive Chef Travis Watson for a fantastic evening you won’t soon forget. Start the evening with a reception on the patio, followed by a four-course dinner, carefully curated to showcase the best of The Sanguis Collection.

Chef Travis Watson

As a former University of Arizona football player, "chef" seems like an unlikely career choice for a guy who also loves competition shooting and Brazilian jiujitsu. But then he was inspired at 14 by his first football coach who was also an Executive Chef at a restaurant where Watson was employed as a dishwasher. Cooking seemed much cooler and definitely more fun, and once he was promoted to prep cook a few months later, the die was cast. 

After high school, Watson attended Scottsdale Culinary Institute. Upon graduation, he did an impressive externship under Chef Jacques Paccard in Paris. Upon his return to the States, enrolled in the University of Arizona in Tucson. Bit by the travel bug, he spent summers and the years after graduation traveling, working and learning in cities like Seattle, Los Angeles and Denver and countries such as Japan, France, Italy and Mozambique. He was fortunate enough to work at some of the finest hotels and restaurants across the world.

In 1999, Watson settled back in Arizona, working for Fox Restaurant Concepts as Corporate Pastry Chef where he was responsible for opening 27 restaurants across the country over the next eight years. He left Fox to take over the helm as Executive Chef of Avalon, where he and his team were named "Best New Restaurant" and "Best New Chef." From there Chef Travis worked at the Royal Palms Resort and Spa, the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa, the Stanley Hotel, Rancho Bernardo Inn and now Chef Travis leads the team at the acclaimed Hotel Californian in the American Riviera, Santa Barbara.

Expect the unexpected during each new full moon with inventive cocktails by legendary mixologist Devon Espinosa. With personalized Tarot card readings and Runes readings, there's no telling what exciting experiences will unfold during the Sturgeon Moon. Let your crazy out and vibe to Val-Mar Records spinning vinyl, play some classic board games and get lost in the experience.

This is a free event, but feel free to RSVP and follow Hotel Californian on Instagram for the latest news and highlights.

Expect the unexpected during each new full moon with inventive cocktails by legendary mixologist Devon Espinosa. With personalized Tarot card readings and Runes readings, there's no telling what exciting experiences will unfold during the Corn Moon. Let your crazy out and vibe to Val-Mar Records spinning vinyl, play some classic board games and get lost in the experience.

This month, join us at 6pm for a complimentary sound bath under the full moon. 

This is a free event, but feel free to RSVP and follow Hotel Californian on Instagram for the latest news and highlights.

Expect the unexpected during each new full moon with inventive cocktails by legendary mixologist Devon Espinosa. With personalized Tarot card readings and Runes readings, there's no telling what exciting experiences will unfold during the Harvest Moon. Let your crazy out and vibe to Val-Mar Records spinning vinyl, play some classic board games and get lost in the experience.

This is a free event, but feel free to RSVP and follow Hotel Californian on Instagram for the latest news and highlights.

It’s still warm in October on the Central Coast, so we’re bringing you some boutique cool-climate chardonnays and pinot noirs this month at Uncorked and On The Rocks. Riverbench Winemaker Clarissa Nagy brings her extensive expertise to Blackbird, as Executive Chef Travis Watson curates a four-course dinner worthy of these exceptional wines.

Clarissa Nagy, Winemaker

Clarissa fell in love with the aromas of Pinot Noir when she started working with wine in 1995. She studied at Cal Poly and began her career at Edna Valley Vineyards. She worked for many notable brands including Byron, Longoria, and Bonaccorsi before joining Riverbench as winemaker in 2012. Clarissa is known for her elegant, sophisticated winemaking style. She continues to refine Riverbench wines each vintage and adds her own unique style to our portfolio.

Chef Travis Watson

As a former University of Arizona football player, "chef" seems like an unlikely career choice for a guy who also loves competition shooting and Brazilian jiujitsu. But then he was inspired at 14 by his first football coach who was also an Executive Chef at a restaurant where Watson was employed as a dishwasher. Cooking seemed much cooler and definitely more fun, and once he was promoted to prep cook a few months later, the die was cast. 

After high school, Watson attended Scottsdale Culinary Institute. Upon graduation, he did an impressive externship under Chef Jacques Paccard in Paris. Upon his return to the States, enrolled in the University of Arizona in Tucson. Bit by the travel bug, he spent summers and the years after graduation traveling, working and learning in cities like Seattle, Los Angeles and Denver and countries such as Japan, France, Italy and Mozambique. He was fortunate enough to work at some of the finest hotels and restaurants across the world.

In 1999, Watson settled back in Arizona, working for Fox Restaurant Concepts as Corporate Pastry Chef where he was responsible for opening 27 restaurants across the country over the next eight years. He left Fox to take over the helm as Executive Chef of Avalon, where he and his team were named "Best New Restaurant" and "Best New Chef." From there Chef Travis worked at the Royal Palms Resort and Spa, the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa, the Stanley Hotel, Rancho Bernardo Inn and now Chef Travis leads the team at the acclaimed Hotel Californian in the American Riviera, Santa Barbara.

Expect the unexpected during each new full moon with inventive cocktails by legendary mixologist Devon Espinosa. With personalized Tarot card readings and Runes readings, there's no telling what exciting experiences will unfold during the Beaver Moon. Let your crazy out and vibe to Val-Mar Records spinning vinyl, play some classic board games and get lost in the experience.

This is a free event, but feel free to RSVP and follow Hotel Californian on Instagram for the latest news and highlights.

Expect the unexpected during each new full moon with inventive cocktails by legendary mixologist Devon Espinosa. With personalized Tarot card readings and Runes readings, there's no telling what exciting experiences will unfold during the Cold Moon. Let your crazy out and vibe to Val-Mar Records spinning vinyl, play some classic board games and get lost in the experience.

This is a free event, but feel free to RSVP and follow Hotel Californian on Instagram for the latest news and highlights.