There are several 5-star luxury resorts in the Santa Barbara area. The central California coast is a popular travel destination for upscale travel, after all, and Santa Barbara is among its most wonderful towns. Just around ten minutes' drive from downtown Santa Barbara are two lovely, spectacular resort hotels. Both provide a respite within the respite that is a luxury Santa Monica vacation.
Bacara Resort & Spa
Bacara Resort & Spa offers something a little different than, say, the Four Seasons right in Santa Barbara. It's around 10 or 15 minutes north up the coast, providing a luxury escape with a sense of remoteness.
Bacara is a full-service resort; if desired, there's no need to leave the resort for the entirety of a luxury Santa Barbara vacation. The sprawling 78-acre property is on the beach, and the rooms are in villas (one-, two-, and three-story) so that many have ocean views. Each guest room has a patio or balcony as well. There are two giant all-access pools and a large hot tub, and a private adults-only pool.
Bacara is a family-friendly luxury resort, and pets are welcomed as well (there is an additional surcharge for steam-cleaning). The Bacara Kid's Club is recommended for younger children: Little kids have a great time at the Kid's Club, entertained by arts and crafts, nature walks and the like, but older kids (around, say, 10 years old) may get restless. The Bacara Resort & Spa is most recommended for luxury family travel in the Santa Barbara area.
San Ysidro Ranch
The San Ysidro Ranch, around 5 minutes south of Santa Barbara, is uber-deluxe Montecito. It is considered the best resort hotel in North America (Travel + Leisure, 2010, Forbes 2009) and is recommended for romantic getaway vacations. The San Ysidro Ranch property is stunning, and the on-site restaurants are destination dining spots on their own.
Pets are enthusiastically welcomed here; a "note" from the ranch's pet cat greets fellow cats and dogs, with a comfortable pet bed, a small bag of doggie (or kitty) treats, and even a new plush pet toy.
The San Ysidro Ranch is designed impeccably, and the personal touches are amazing; guests' last names are set subtly outside their cottages, and personalized stationary awaits within. There is no kiddie camp here – couples abound, however, and it's a luxury wedding destination. Now, children aren't frowned upon in any way, in fact there are special welcoming treats for children and dogs at the San Ysidro ranch. But it's a quiet resort, sweepingly romantic, and best recommended for adult travel.
It's hard to beat Santa Barbara for an upscale vacation on California's central coast. For a complete escape from everyday life (and the hubbub of State Street in downtown Santa Barbara), the Bacara Resort & Spa and the San Ysidro Ranch are perfect alternatives to the Four Seasons in Santa Barbara itself. Both are most highly recommended.
Jennifer W. Miner - Jennifer has years of travel writing experience, spoken at several national conferences, and more. See Jendeavor.com for more details.
