Hotels In California That Allow 18-Year-Olds To Check-In
Traveling at 18 in California offers a unique blend of freedom and adventure, yet it comes with its own set of challenges, particularly when it comes to lodging. Hotels in California often set their own age requirements, which can range from 18 to 25, creating a level of uncertainty for young travelers.
Can 18-year-olds check into hotels in California? Yes, many hotels do allow it, provided you have a valid ID and a credit card. However, policies can differ, so confirming with the hotel is essential.
This article is your comprehensive guide for booking a hotel in California at 18. We’ll provide a list of hotels that welcome younger guests, explore alternative lodging options, and discuss important considerations like safety measures and amenities. If you’re 18 and planning a trip to California, this is your go-to resource.
Important!
Hotel policies can be updated before we manage to revise our website information. Make sure to verify the minimum check-in age before finalizing your booking.
List of Hotels in California Allowing 18-Year-Old Check-Ins
Before we delve into the details, let’s identify the hotels in California that allow 18-year-olds to check in. This list has been carefully curated based on customer reviews, amenities, and age policies.
- Allow 18-year-olds to check-in
- Have positive customer reviews
- Offer a variety of amenities
- Located in secure neighborhoods
Here’s a collection of hotels across various California cities that welcome guests aged 18 and above. For more detailed planning, we’ve also included links to comprehensive guides for each city, offering additional information about individual hotels.
ID And Credit Card
You will be asked to share your I.D. and a credit card when checking in.
Los Angeles
| Hotels In Los Angeles | Average Rating | Number of Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| Villa Brasil Motel | 9.1 | 813 |
| Luskin Hotel | 9.1 | 1,565 |
| Mayumi | 8.8 | 849 |
| Hotel Mariposa | 8.8 | 717 |
| citizenM Los Angeles Downtown | 8.8 | 3,198 |
| The Garland | 8.8 | 1,937 |
| AC Hotel by Marriott Los Angeles South Bay | 8.7 | 804 |
| InterContinental – Los Angeles Downtown, an IHG Hotel | 8.7 | 2,860 |
| Miyako Hotel Los Angeles | 8.7 | 1,791 |
| USC Hotel | 8.6 | 920 |
| Omni Los Angeles Hotel | 8.6 | 1,318 |
| Park Plaza Lodge | 8.6 | 2,068 |
| Hollywood Celebrity Hotel | 8.6 | 1,442 |
| Orange Drive Hostel | 8.5 | 1,194 |
| The Hoxton, Downtown LA | 8.5 | 813 |
| HI Los Angeles – Santa Monica Hostel | 8.5 | 3,447 |
| E Central Hotel Downtown Los Angeles | 8.5 | 1,332 |
| Holiday Inn Express Los Angeles LAX Airport, an IHG Hotel | 8.5 | 2,052 |
| Loews Hollywood Hotel | 8.4 | 3,527 |
| Level Los Angeles – Downtown South Olive | 8.4 | 2,206 |
| New Seoul Hotel | 8.4 | 1,643 |
| Hotel Aventura | 8.4 | 1,243 |
| Shore Hotel | 8.4 | 1,115 |
| Hyatt House LAX Century Blvd | 8.4 | 611 |
| Sheraton Universal | 8.4 | 1,379 |
| Hotel Indigo – Los Angeles Downtown, an IHG Hotel | 8.3 | 2,603 |
Check our full guide on Los Angeles Hotels with 18+ check-in
San Francisco
| Hotels In San Francisco | Average Rating | Number of Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| citizenM San Francisco Union Square | 9.0 | 2,381 |
| Club Donatello | 9.0 | 919 |
| Marriott Vacation Club Pulse, San Francisco | 8.9 | 826 |
| Orchard Garden Hotel | 8.9 | 1,216 |
| Orchard Hotel | 8.9 | 1,105 |
| White Swan Inn | 8.9 | 1,056 |
| Green Tortoise Hostel | 8.8 | 630 |
| Columbus Inn | 8.7 | 1,681 |
| Beacon Grand, A Union Square Hotel | 8.7 | 1,269 |
| Chancellor Hotel on Union Square | 8.7 | 3,198 |
| Argonaut Hotel, a Noble House Hotel | 8.7 | 1,256 |
| Stanford Court San Francisco | 8.6 | 2,430 |
| Hotel Nikko San Francisco | 8.6 | 2,927 |
| Hyatt Regency San Francisco | 8.6 | 1,483 |
| Marines’ Memorial Club & Hotel Union Square | 8.6 | 1,567 |
| Axiom Hotel | 8.5 | 807 |
| Hotel Caza Fisherman’s Wharf | 8.5 | 2,378 |
| Samesun San Francisco | 8.5 | 2,235 |
| Cornell Hotel de France | 8.5 | 872 |
| The Clift Royal Sonesta San Francisco | 8.5 | 1,406 |
| Palace Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Francisco | 8.5 | 651 |
| Petite Auberge | 8.5 | 1,405 |
| The Clancy, Autograph Collection | 8.5 | 1,015 |
Check our full guide on San Francisco Hotels with 18+ check-in
San Diego
San Jose
Sacramento
Santa Monica
| Hotels In Santa Monica | Average Rating | Number of Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| Large Luxury Studio with View in Santa Monica | 10 | 85 |
| HI Los Angeles – Santa Monica Hostel | 8.5 | 3455 |
| Ocean View Hotel | 8.0 | 727 |
| Santa Monica Hotel | 8.0 | 2024 |
| Gateway Hotel Santa Monica | 8.0 | 928 |
| Bayside Hotel | 7.9 | 1598 |
| Hilton Santa Monica | 7.9 | 1375 |
| Rest Haven Motel | 7.9 | 932 |
| The Pierside Santa Monica | 7.7 | 447 |
| Sea Blue Hotel | 7.1 | 811 |
| Ocean Park Inn | 6.9 | 1195 |
Palm Springs
| Hotels In Palm Springs | Average Rating | Number of Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| La Maison Hotel – Adults Only | 9.6 | 473 |
| Little Paradise Hotel | 9.5 | 334 |
| Vista Mirage Resort | 9.1 | 374 |
| Desert Isle Resort, a VRI resort | 9.1 | 323 |
| Korakia Pensione | 9 | 329 |
| Inn at Palm Springs | 8.8 | 1,002 |
| The Twist Palm Springs | 8.8 | 460 |
| WorldMark Palm Springs – Plaza Resort and Spa | 8.7 | 392 |
| Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs Hotel, an IHG Hotel | 8.7 | 314 |
| Desert Vacation Villas, a VRI resort | 8.6 | 385 |
| Courtyard by Marriott Palm Springs | 8.5 | 597 |
| BelleVue Oasis – Adults Only | 8.4 | 602 |
| The Skylark, a Palm Springs Hotel | 8.1 | 1,148 |
| 7 Springs Inn & Suites | 8.1 | 1,032 |
| Marquis Villas Resort | 8.1 | 949 |
| The Cole powered by Sonder | 8 | 366 |
| Avalon Hotel and Bungalows Palm Springs | 8 | 225 |
Anaheim
Santa Barbara
| Hotels In Santa Barbara | Average Rating | Number of Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| La Playa Inn Santa Barbara | 9.1 | 2,047 |
| The Eagle Inn | 9.1 | 572 |
| Marina Beach Motel | 9.0 | 1,000 |
| Harbor View Inn | 8.7 | 1,508 |
| Castillo Inn at the Beach | 8.7 | 1,467 |
| The Franciscan Hotel | 8.6 | 1,159 |
| Inn by the Harbor | 8.2 | 601 |
| Best Western Plus South Coast Inn | 8.1 | 727 |
| Motel 6-Santa Barbara, CA – Beach | 8.1 | 1,601 |
| Best Western Plus Santa Barbara | 8.1 | 1,445 |
| Hotel Santa Barbara | 8.1 | 778 |
| Ramada by Wyndham Santa Barbara | 7.9 | 540 |
| Avania Inn of Santa Barbara | 7.8 | 747 |
| Beachside Inn | 7.8 | 2,818 |
| Hyatt Place Santa Barbara | 7.7 | 940 |
| Oasis Inn and Suites | 7.7 | 1,498 |
| The Presidio | 7.6 | 1,839 |
| Inn at East Beach | 7.6 | 1,727 |
| Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort | 7.4 | 712 |
| Hotel Milo Santa Barbara | 7.4 | 1,140 |
| Cabrillo Inn at the Beach | 7.3 | 1,609 |
| Sandpiper Lodge – Santa Barbara | 7.3 | 1,006 |
| Villa Rosa Inn | 7.3 | 1,211 |
| Quality Inn Santa Barbara | 7.2 | 825 |
| Orange Tree Inn | 7.2 | 1,034 |
| Motel 6-Santa Barbara, CA – State Street | 6.9 | 565 |
| Motel 6-Goleta, CA – Santa Barbara | 6.8 | 723 |
| Ala Mar by the Sea | 5.7 | 651 |
| Rose Garden Inn | 5.4 | 1,293 |
Napa Valley
| Hotels In Napa | Average Rating | Number of Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| Cambria Hotel Napa Valley | 9.1 | 547 |
| SENZA Hotel | 8.9 | 246 |
| Blackbird Inn | 8.9 | 275 |
| RiverPointe Napa Valley Resort | 8.8 | 416 |
| Cabernet House, an Old World Inn | 8.8 | 365 |
| Bel Abri Napa Valley Inn | 8.8 | 644 |
| Napa River Inn | 8.7 | 379 |
| The Napa Inn | 8.5 | 388 |
| Andaz Napa – a concept by Hyatt | 8.5 | 372 |
| Hotel Napa Valley, Ascend Hotel Collection | 8.5 | 268 |
| Napa Winery Inn | 8.4 | 520 |
| Cedar Gables Inn | 8.4 | 304 |
| Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott Napa American Canyon | 8.3 | 595 |
| Vino Bello Resort | 8.2 | 221 |
| Best Western Plus Inn at the Vines | 8.1 | 272 |
| Embassy Suites by Hilton Napa Valley | 8.1 | 618 |
| Silverado Resort | 8.1 | 514 |
| Hotel Indigo Napa Valley, an IHG Hotel | 7.8 | 842 |
| The Meritage Resort and Spa | 7.8 | 362 |
| Chablis Inn | 7.3 | 271 |
| Chardonnay Lodge | 7.0 | 447 |
| Napa Discovery Inn | 6.1 | 493 |
How We Selected These Hotels
1. Extensive Database: We began our analysis with an extensive database of over 233,000 hotels across the United States, ensuring a comprehensive view of available options.
2. Age Inclusivity: Our selection specifically targets hotels that allow check-ins for guests aged 18 and above, making the options accessible for a broader range of travelers.
3. Customer Reviews: To ensure reliability and customer satisfaction, we only considered hotels that have received at least 200 customer reviews. This criterion helps to provide a more accurate picture of the hotel’s quality and service.
4. Quality Assurance: We sorted the selected hotels based on their average customer ratings. This approach helps us recommend only the highest quality hotels, thereby ensuring a superior guest experience.
How Old Do You Have to Be to Get a Hotel Room in California?
Booking a hotel room in California involves understanding both state laws and individual hotel policies, particularly when it comes to age requirements. While the age of majority in California is 18, hotels often have their own age requirements, adding an extra layer of complexity to the booking process.
Age Requirements in California Hotels
In California, most hotels allow bookings for guests who are 18 years old, given that this is the age of majority in the state. However, some luxury or specialized establishments may require guests to be 21, especially if they offer amenities like a bar or casino.
Identification Documents Required
To secure a hotel booking in California at 18, you’ll generally need:
- A valid government-issued ID: This could be a driver’s license, a state ID, or a passport.
- A credit card: The card must be in your name and have sufficient funds to cover the stay and any incidental charges.
Legal Responsibilities When Booking a Hotel
Booking a hotel room at 18 in California comes with its own set of legal responsibilities:
- Damages: You’re financially responsible for any damages to the room or property.
- Hotel Policies: You must adhere to the hotel’s policies, which can include noise restrictions, guest limitations, and rules about using amenities.
- Liability: Some hotels may ask you to sign a liability waiver, especially if they offer amenities like a gym or swimming pool.
Understanding these factors can help you navigate the complexities of booking a hotel room in California at 18, ensuring a smoother travel experience.
Alternatives to Hotels for 18 Year Olds
If you find that the hotel scene is too restrictive or perhaps not to your taste, there are alternative lodging options that are often more lenient with age requirements or offer a different kind of experience altogether.
Hostels
Hostels are a budget-friendly option and usually have minimal age requirements. They offer dormitory-style rooms and sometimes private rooms as well. Hostels are great for meeting other travelers and often have communal kitchens and social events.
Airbnb
Airbnb can be a viable option, but it’s essential to read the age policies of individual hosts. Some may allow 18-year-olds to book, especially if the reviews on your profile are positive.
Motels
Motels often have lower age requirements and are generally more lenient with their policies. They offer basic amenities and are usually situated near highways.
Vacation Rentals
Sites like Vrbo offer vacation homes that can be rented for short periods. These are ideal if you’re traveling with a group and can split the cost.
Couchsurfing
If you’re really on a budget, platforms like Couchsurfing offer free stays with locals. However, this option requires a thorough vetting process for both hosts and guests to ensure safety.
Amenities Offered by These Hotels
When you’re 18 and traveling, amenities can make or break your hotel experience. Here’s a detailed look at what you can expect from hotels in California that allow 18-year-olds to check in.
Basic Amenities
- Free Wi-Fi: Almost a necessity in today’s world, free Wi-Fi is usually available, allowing you to stay connected.
- Breakfast: Many hotels offer complimentary breakfast, ranging from continental to full American breakfast options.
Recreational Amenities
- Swimming Pools: A pool can be a great way to relax after a day of exploring.
- Gyms: For those who like to stay active, a well-equipped gym can be a big plus.
Business Amenities
- Business Centers: If you’re traveling for work or need to catch up on emails, a business center with computers and printing services can be invaluable.
Luxury Amenities
- Spa Services: Some high-end hotels offer spa services, including massages and facials.
- Concierge Services: A concierge can help with booking tours, restaurant reservations, and more.
Family-Friendly Amenities
- Kids’ Clubs: If you’re traveling with younger siblings, a kids’ club can keep them entertained.
- Pet-Friendly Options: For those traveling with pets, some hotels offer pet-friendly rooms and even pet-sitting services.
Understanding the range of amenities can help you make an informed decision about where to stay, ensuring that your needs—whether they’re basic or more luxurious—are met.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it Legal for an 18-Year-Old to Check-In to a Hotel?
Yes, it is generally legal for an 18-year-old to check into a hotel. However, private businesses like hotels have the right to set their own age requirements, which can sometimes be higher. It’s always best to call ahead and confirm the hotel’s age policy to avoid any last-minute surprises.
Why Do Some Hotels Have an Age Requirement of 21?
Hotels may set a minimum age requirement of 21 for various reasons, often related to liability and insurance policies. The age limit can also be influenced by the hotel’s target demographic or the types of amenities they offer, such as bars or casinos, which have age restrictions. Additionally, hotels may perceive older guests as less likely to cause damage or disturbances.
Can You Book a Hotel Room at 18 Without a Credit Card?
While most hotels prefer a credit card for securing a reservation and covering potential incidental charges, some establishments may allow you to book a room without one. In such cases, you’ll likely need to provide a substantial cash deposit or a debit card with a significant balance. Always call the hotel in advance to discuss payment options if you don’t have a credit card.
What Are the Cancellation Policies Like?
Cancellation policies can vary widely among hotels. Some may offer free cancellation up to a certain point, usually 24 to 48 hours before the check-in date. Others might charge a fee equivalent to one night’s stay or more. Always read the cancellation policy carefully at the time of booking and consider opting for a refundable rate if your plans are uncertain.
Are There Any Additional Fees for 18-Year-Olds?
Additional fees specifically for 18-year-olds are uncommon but not unheard of. Some hotels might charge a “young renter fee” or require a larger deposit from guests under a certain age. It’s crucial to inquire about any such fees when you’re making your reservation to avoid unexpected costs.
Will I Need ID to Check-In as an 18-Year-Old?
Yes, you will almost certainly need a valid, government-issued ID to check into a hotel. This is not just an age verification measure but also a general security policy. Some hotels may also require a second form of identification or additional documentation if you’re a local resident.
Why Do Hotels Ask for Everyone’s ID?
Hotels commonly ask for ID from all adult guests for a variety of reasons, including security and compliance with local laws. This practice helps the hotel keep track of who is staying in their rooms and can assist law enforcement if any issues arise. It also helps the hotel to enforce their own policies, such as age restrictions for certain amenities like gyms or bars.