El Capitan Hotel

Despite the relative youthfulness of everyone involved, outdoor travel and boutique hospitality took a fairly long time getting acquainted. That’s changing now, though, with the advent of lodgings like the El Capitan Hotel. Though it’s named for Yosemite’s most famous rock face, it’s set not within the national park, but in Merced, some 80 miles away. This is both the last proper city on the way to Yosemite and a significant Central Valley settlement in its own right — which explains why the El Capitan Hotel is dedicated to outdoor adventure and urban culture in roughly equal measure.

The rooms and suites are visually distinctive — the look is contemporary but retro-inspired, and contains numerous references to Merced’s (and California’s) history. And the comforts are substantial while remaining well on the right side of opulence. The whole of Merced’s charming little downtown district is within a few minutes’ walk, on days when the mountains aren’t calling. And right here inside the hotel you’ll find Rainbird, an all-day restaurant serving dishes crafted from the bounty of the Central Valley; also present is the Mainzer Theatre, a cinema and performance venue with its own restaurant and bar.