Originally known as the California Hotel (hence the large painted "California"), this Spanish-style building was erected in 1922. Mr Chapman (the Chapman Avenue guy) was the biggest funder of the hotel pledging $25,000 to make the hotel the best in the State.

In the 1960s the hotel was remodeled. It lost much of it's old size and grandeur, but gained the single-story building of shops along Harbor. This building enclosed the courtyard making the building seem like an old Spanish fort.

In the early 90s it was remodeled again, this time mostly to be retrofitted with all that earthquake safety stuff.

The Wife and I ate one time at The Cellar. The waitstaff was extremely professional and attentive. It was rather embarrassing. I had the foie gras (sp?), it was perfectly-cooked and delectable, but when I found out exactly what it is and how it was made, my stomach started turning, as did my conscience. Neither has stopped, all this time later.

The British shop is so cool, but so expensive.

The best part is to go exploring all of the corridors and dead-ends. It has amused my son and me for years.