Escape to the Gaviota Coast

Photography Courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton Bacara

Goleta, the beautiful beach town and coastline seat of Santa Barbara County, offers a laid-back casual beach setting proving to be the perfect place to travel to for a staycation.

The Ritz-Carlton Bacara located overlooking the gorgeous Gaviota Coast a few miles north of downtown – is a solid mix of romance and wellness with all the modern furnishings in between. If your idea of the ultimate Southern California retreat is luxurious spa treatments, poolside cocktails and coastal cuisine, you have found your place in the sun. Offering travelers, the opportunity to reconnect with themselves and others after a long year at home with stimulating, multisensory travel experiences this beach resort provides everything one could need for that long-awaited getaway.

With 358 beach-chic guestrooms and suites, this property is a top choice when planning a postcard-perfect Santa Barbara getaway. Indulge in ocean or garden views or reserve a fireside room and enjoy the evening on your patio.

Tucked onto 78 acres overlooking the Pacific, the resort combines the appeal of this coastal city with the beauty of its natural surroundings. Here, you can bask on the sand of two beaches or soak up the sun in three different infinity-edge pools. Spend the day at the property’s 42,000-sq-ft spa where you can relax in an over-the-top wellness sanctuary. Book a locally inspired spa ritual or pamper yourself with a Signature Experience like the Bespoke Facial or Bacara Signature Massage a treatment using hot stones and a heated herbal compress filled with organic herbs and salts to massage and soothe muscles and joints to open the flow of energy, creating a healthier mind and body connection. A plethora of service offerings are available and include acupuncture, massages, skincare, hair and nail services. Before your treatment make sure to arrive early to enjoy the spas redwood sauna and eucalyptus steam room. There is no sense of urgency here as you await your treatment in the fireside lounge complete with iconic Santa Barbara views.

Each of the hotel’s six restaurants offers its own twist on a successful pairing of ocean views and local flavors. Stop in at ‘O’ Bar + Kitchen for a pre-dinner cocktail which sits adjacent to the lobby. Featuring shareable plates, seasonal market creations, and decadent desserts alongside a slate of fine wines, premium beers, and handcrafted cocktails it is the perfect palate teaser to get the evening started.

For outside dining with a view, The Bistro welcomes guests to a stylish space that reflects coastal cuisine at its finest. Chef Justin Purpura has partnered with local farmers and sustainable seafood sources to create traditional bistro favorites at this casual restaurant. Crafted expertly melding influences with an emphasis on purveyors from the local Southern California region the menu features signature dishes including Local Pacific Bass, Brick Oven Pasta Cassoulet and more. Brick-oven pizzas, seasonal salads and the signature Bistro burger are also offered on the menu providing a multitude of options for any group.

Guests never need to leave this tranquil oasis but if they do the resort’s concierge can arrange an array of private activities within the local area from horse-riding to wine tours, golfing, paddle boarding and even sailing. Location, service, style and character all come together perfectly within all rooms offering guests all the comforts of home. The Ritz-Carlton Bacara encompasses everything one would desire of a charming resort in the heart of wine country. From its stylish interiors to its colorful history, guests will marvel at its vibrant ambiance, and it is no mystery why this property has stood the test of time.