Day trip: Solvang and Santa Barbara Wine Country
From The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara, a day trip to Solvang is a roughly 45-minute drive via Highway 154; Santa Barbara Wine Country (Solvang/Los Olivos/Buellton) is about a 40–45 minute drive from the resort. Plan for a morning in Solvang’s Danish-themed town and an afternoon of winery visits in Santa Ynez/Los Olivos, then return to the resort for dinner or drinks.
In this guide
- Getting started at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara
- Route and timing: Goleta to Solvang and Wine Country
- Morning: Explore Solvang
- Afternoon: Santa Barbara Wine Country (Los Olivos, Buellton)
- Practical tips and timing
- Dining suggestions: from casual to formal back at Bacara
- Where to sleep: room options at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara
Getting started at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara
Check-out and check-in times at the resort are 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM respectively; early check-in/late check-out can be requested but are not guaranteed. The resort address is 8301 Hollister Avenue, Goleta, California, 93117.
Before you leave, confirm transport and reservations: valet parking is the resort’s parking option, and the property offers tours and ticket assistance if you prefer to book a driver or guided tasting shuttle.
- Resort phone for BookResorts agents (24/7): +1 (888) 605-1350
- Hotel main dining/reservations phone: (805) 968-0100
- Valet-parking only at the resort (no self-parking option)
| On-site services | Note |
|---|---|
| Tours & ticket assistance | Ask concierge to book winery transport or private driver |
| Bicycles | Free bicycles available on property |
| Spa & fitness | The Ritz-Carlton Spa Bacara, Santa Barbara requires appointments |
Route and timing: Goleta to Solvang and Wine Country
Solvang is commonly reached from the resort via Highway 154 through the Santa Ynez Mountains; the drive is roughly 45 minutes. Santa Barbara Wine Country (wineries around Solvang, Los Olivos and Buellton) is about a 40-minute drive north of the resort.
Traffic, winery appointment schedules, and how many stops you make will change total time. If you’re driving yourself, confirm directions and road conditions before departure.
- Typical drive time to Solvang: ~45 minutes via Highway 154
- Typical drive time to general Santa Barbara Wine Country: ~40 minutes
- Public transit between the resort and Solvang is limited; rideshare, taxi, or private car service are common alternatives
| Destination | Typical drive time (from resort) |
|---|---|
| Solvang | About 45 minutes |
| Los Olivos / Buellton (Wine Country) | About 40 minutes |
| Downtown Santa Barbara | About 11 minutes by car to central Santa Barbara areas (distance cited on site) |
Morning: Explore Solvang
Start in Solvang to walk the small downtown, see Danish-style architecture, and visit bakeries and specialty shops. Solvang’s compact center is best explored on foot so you can sample pastries and browse boutiques.
If you plan to visit specific attractions or museums, check opening hours in advance and allow time for parking and short walks between sites.
- Suggested activities: bakery visits, shopping for local goods, casual strolling and photos
- Bring water and sunscreen — inland valley temperatures can be warmer than the coast
- Plan to leave for wine-country tastings by early afternoon to fit multiple winery visits
| Solvang tip | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Visit a bakery early | Shorter lines and fresher pastries |
| Park once and walk | Solvang’s downtown is compact and pedestrian-friendly |
| Confirm museum hours | Many small museums have limited schedules |
Afternoon: Santa Barbara Wine Country (Los Olivos, Buellton)
Santa Barbara Wine Country includes more than 120 wineries across the Santa Ynez Valley region; popular tasting towns include Solvang, Los Olivos and Buellton. Many wineries require appointments, so reserve tasting slots in advance when possible.
If you don’t want to drive, ask the resort concierge about private drivers, shuttle services, or organized wine tours. A designated driver or coach lets you visit multiple tasting rooms without parking or driving stress.
- Reserve winery tastings ahead — many places are appointment-based
- Consider visiting tasting rooms in Los Olivos for a walkable cluster of options
- If you plan to taste several wines, use a driver service or book a guided tour
| Visit plan | Notes |
|---|---|
| One winery + lunch | Relaxed pace if you prefer fewer stops |
| Two to three wineries | Common half-day option with a midday meal |
| Full day of tastings | Best with a pre-arranged driver or tour |
Practical tips and timing
Best visiting window for the region runs mid-April through mid-November, with warm, mostly dry weather in the fall months. September and October are often the warmest of the year with lighter crowds than peak summer.
Keep in mind the resort’s policies: the minimum age to check in is 18, and the resort charges a mandatory daily resort fee. If you’re bringing pets, dogs under 50 pounds are accepted for a fee (service animals exempt).
- Check winery hours and book tastings in advance
- Bring a jacket for coastal evenings back at the resort
- Reserve restaurant seating on return to the resort if you want dinner at Marisella or Lulio
| Resort policy | What to do |
|---|---|
| Resort fee applies | Factor into your total stay cost |
| Valet-only parking | Plan to use resort valet on arrival/departure |
| Spa appointments required | Book spa treatments ahead if you plan to use the rooftop terrace or adults-only Spa Pool |
Dining suggestions: from casual to formal back at Bacara
After a day of tasting, return to the resort for dinner or drinks. The resort’s restaurants include Marisella (Italian/coastal-Italian), Lulio (Mediterranean-inspired) and 'O' Bar & Terrace (oceanfront bar with craft cocktails). SunBar operates poolside during daytime hours, and Mission Market serves coffee and grab-and-go items.
Reservations are recommended for Marisella and Lulio, especially on weekend evenings. In-room dining is also available daily through midnight if you prefer to dine in your room.
- Marisella: dinner service (hours vary; check current schedule) — dress code listed as Smart Casual
- Lulio: breakfast, lunch and limited dinner evenings — panoramic ocean views
- 'O' Bar & Terrace: open daily noon–midnight for sunset drinks
- Mission Market: open early for coffee and quick bites
| Venue | When it’s useful |
|---|---|
| Marisella | Evening, formal-ish Italian dinner |
| Lulio | Breakfast or lunch with ocean views; dinner on select evenings |
| SunBar | Poolside daytime bites and drinks |
Where to sleep: room options at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara
Choose a room that fits your group and preferences: options include Room, Ocean View or Room, Balcony, Resort View for ocean or resort vistas. For more space or club-level amenities consider a Club Suite, 1 Bedroom or a Club Suite, 1 Bedroom, Ocean View.
All guest rooms and suites include free WiFi. If you want a private balcony or terrace overlooking the ocean, confirm the specific room type when you book since not every room configuration includes the same view or outdoor space.
- Room, Ocean View — 450 sq. ft., 1 King Bed, 3 guests max (verify availability)
- Room, Balcony, Resort View — 450 sq. ft., 1 King Bed, balcony included
- Club Suite, 1 Bedroom, Ocean View — larger suite with ocean views (925 sq. ft.)
| Room type | Quick note |
|---|---|
| Room, Resort View | Resort-facing option; 450 sq. ft. |
| Room, Ocean View | Ocean views; 450 sq. ft. |
| Club Suite, 1 Bedroom, Ocean View | Larger suite with ocean view; 925 sq. ft. |
