Ellwood Santa Barbara, California
Renovated
2025
Price
$$$$
Rated for
Resort Luxe WellnessOutside the door
The house
MarriottOceanfront bluff sanctuary
White-stucco villas sprawl across 78 acres like a Mediterranean village perched high above the crashing Pacific surf.
“The Ritz-Carlton Bacara is a truly unbelievable property on the Pacific Ocean with candidly unmatched views and elevated tranquility.”
What it’s good at
Remarkable
Sprawling 78-acre oceanfront campus featuring three zero-edge pools and direct beach access.
Notable
Polished coastal luxury service with plush bedding, evening turndown, and ocean-view balconies.
Notable
Expansive 42,000-square-foot spa facility featuring eucalyptus steam rooms, saunas, and fitness center.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
Forbes Recommended
Forbes Travel Guide
2026
Readers Choice Awards 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
Condé Nast Traveler
2025
The style is inevitably Spanish, all whitewash and tile roofs, and the buildings hug the ground, sprawled like a village, which lends a surprising degree of intimacy to such a palatial hotel.
“Ideally located on 78 beachfront acres with the vast Pacific Ocean displayed before you, The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara is quintessential California coastal luxury. Designed as a Spanish village with winding paths and white stucco walls capped with red tiled roofs…”
Somewhere quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Haskell's Beach and the Sandpiper Golf Club sit just steps away, tucked along a rugged, undeveloped stretch of coastline.
The rooms
Meyer Davis-redesigned interiors feature custom textiles and handcrafted details that pay homage to Santa Barbara's Mission history.
The pools
Bring a swimsuit.
Three zero-edge swimming pools look out toward the Pacific, lined with palm trees and cabanas.
The spa and gym
The 42,000-square-foot spa holds eucalyptus steam rooms, saunas, and a fitness studio with barre stations.
Dogs stay too.
At the table
Dining terraces look straight out over the Pacific, and indoor tables sit beneath chandeliers and exposed wood beams.
How it began
Originally a Chumash settlement, the site transformed from a private ranch into a luxury coastal landmark in 2000.
Good to know
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The Ritz-Carlton Bacara
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.