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The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara
4.4 ★★★★☆ 2,742 Google reviews · Oceanfront wedding venue in Santa Barbara, California · On the waterfront
Plush, oceanfront quarters in a posh Mediterranean-style resort offering 3 saltwater pools.
Plan your tour
- Setting oceanfront venue, on the waterfront — verified by its distance to a real shoreline
- Capacity hosts up to 50 guests, per the venue's own info
- Private beach a private stretch of sand comes up here — no public permit, no onlookers wandering through your vows
- Lodging on-site rooms come up in reviews and the venue's own info — a built-in room block for a destination beach wedding; ask what's included
- Phone (805) 968-0100
- Website ritzcarlton.com — most venues book tours right on their site
On the property
What couples highlight
“My recent stay was defined by breathtaking scenery and, most importantly, the exceptional level of service that makes this property stand out.”
From the reviews
The location is gorgeous and is easily accessible from Hwy 101. The rooms are world class in terms of luxury, cleanliness, and amenities. I attended a wedding, and the bride and groom were exceptionally pleased with the execution by Ritz-Carlton. The staff is always very friendly and courteous.
Two Octobers ago, we left the Bacara wondering if our family might grow. This week, we returned with our daughter — laughing on our balcony with the ocean breeze behind her — and experienced a resort that has MEANINGFULLY evolved. The renovations are not cosmetic. This is not a surface refresh.
We had the best time here! The gorgeous grounds, the rooms, the spa and the pool experience was absolutely 10 stars! The service was incredible and I have to give a shout out to Marjorie our server at the pool, She was such a great server and so attentive and another shoutout to Taylor H. On the pool deck as well.
Very fancy ritzy hotel. Lives up to its name. Very spread out so be prepared to walk far to your room or better yet get a ride on the tram cars. Can be noisy at times depending on your room. Beautiful facility and grounds. Good locale.
Getting married at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara
Two things make the tour worth the drive. First, see the ceremony spot at the exact time of day you'd say your vows — a west-facing beach glows at sunset but bakes at noon, and you'll want to feel the wind, watch where the sun sits, and walk the path your guests take across the sand. Second, bring your real questions: the weather backup (where does the ceremony move if it rains or the wind kicks up?), who pulls the beach permit, the sound-ordinance curfew, the catering and bar policy, and exactly what's included — chairs, setup, and teardown on sand are where quotes quietly diverge. Peak beach dates book 12–18 months out, so if the tour feels right, ask what's open in your season before you leave.
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