The reimagined resort ushers in The Fifth Avenue Club personal shopping and a $25,000 stay as part of its silver anniversary
Words by LESLEY McKENZIE
Photography by RON STARR
As The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara, marks its 25th anniversary, the blufftop resort is feting the occasion with a newly refreshed property and a headline-worthy luxury stay to match.
Set across 78 acres overlooking the Pacific, the resort has undergone a multi-million-dollar renovation that has touched everything from guest rooms and public spaces to dining and pools, preparing the landmark resort to usher in its next chapter.
The broader renovation, helmed by interior design firm Meyer Davis, takes cues from Bacara’s perch on the American Riviera.
At the center of the anniversary celebration is the Riviera Retreat, a two-night package priced at $25,000 that showcases the resort in all its splendor. The indulgent experience includes a stay in one of the resort’s redesigned one-bedroom suites, along with a three-hour private charter aboard a 65-foot yacht, complete with Champagne and hors d’oeuvres.
Back on land, the experience continues at the resort’s 42,000-square-foot spa, where guests can settle into the lap of luxury for some pampering with the lifting and hydrating Silver Lining Facial — a subtle nod to the traditional 25th-anniversary gift. Daily spa passes grant access to the adults-only spa pool, redwood sauna, eucalyptus steam room, gym, and rooftop terrace, inviting guests to linger beyond a single treatment.
Dining is equally central to the retreat. A highlight is a specialty coursed dinner at Lulio, one of the resort’s newest dining destinations. Here, Mediterranean-leaning flavors draw on seasonal ingredients of the California coast in dishes, such as California sea bass with green harissa and charred tomatoes, in an elegant indoor-outdoor setting designed to capture ocean vistas.
The broader renovation, helmed by interior design firm Meyer Davis, takes cues from Bacara’s perch on the American Riviera. Guest rooms and suites — 358 in total — have adopted a more residential feel, blending Spanish tilework, textured textiles, and handcrafted details inspired by Santa Barbara’s Mission history and native Chumash communities, all with views of the ocean or garden courtyards.
The anniversary has also heralded the arrival of a new retail concept on the property in the form of The Fifth Avenue Club Santa Barbara. Now open within the resort, Saks Fifth Avenue brings its appointment-only personal shopping experience to the Central Coast. Designed for both guests and locals, the club pairs clients with experienced Saks stylists for private consultations spanning ready-to-wear, accessories, fine jewelry, and footwear. Pieces are sourced from Saks Fifth Avenue stores around the country, curated with Santa Barbara’s relaxed sophistication in mind — so whether arriving for a long weekend or settling in for an extended stay, guests can be sure they look the part. 8301 Hollister Ave., Santa Barbara; ritzcarlton.com.
January 15, 2026.
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