Law of Bailment

Google along these lines

http://www.ehow.com/about_6296031_california-bailment-law.html

http://fisher.jsc.vsc.edu/htm_law/cl17_bailment.html

California follows three-tiers of bailment responsibility. In your case, the bailment was for the mutual benefit of you and the hotel. In such case, you can sue in small claim court by alleging the hotel failed ordinary care.