You left out 2 of my favorites the HI Express in San Luis Obispo and the HI Express in Fort Bragg (near Mendecino).

When we arrived at SLO (as it's referred to around these parts) the clerk greeted me by name and said that it was an honor to have a Gold Ambassador staying there ("you're the first one I've met in over a year"). Needless to say we were upgraded to the nicest room, a large suite (no separate bedroom but still very large) complete with robes! Plus plenty of home baked cookies at the front desk all day long (better than doubletree). Suffice it to say this property gets a thumbs up as one of the finest in the HI Express inventory.

I was not an Ambassador when we stayed at Fort Bragg, but we were still upraded to a 3rd floor suite with a view of ... well I don't think they have any ocean views as they are a bit of a ways from the coast, but it was still quite nice and much larger than the usual rooms. No robes, but perfectly pleasant and much nicer than the alternatives which include $200nt rustic B&B that lacked cable TV etc.

Overall I am quite pleased with HI Express in California.