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The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara Goleta, California
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Hotel comparison guide

The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara vs El Encanto Santa Barbara

The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara is a large oceanfront Spanish-Colonial resort in Goleta with multiple pools, a 42,000 sq ft spa, and family-friendly programming. El Encanto Santa Barbara is a historic five-star hillside hotel in central Santa Barbara with city and mountain views; read this if you’re choosing between big oceanfront resort amenities and a smaller, secluded hillside retreat.

Updated · about 13 miles (21 km) apart

Aerial view of The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara resort on the coastline with pools and beaches

The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara

Oceanfront · Large resort · Family-friendly

Best for travelers who want wide resort grounds, multiple pools and a large spa with dedicated family and adults-only areas.

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El Encanto Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California

El Encanto Santa Barbara

Historic hillside · Boutique scale · City-view seclusion

Best for guests seeking a smaller, historic hillside property close to Mission Santa Barbara and downtown attractions.

Quick Verdict: The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara vs El Encanto Santa Barbara

When The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara wins: choose Bacara for beach access from resort grounds, multiple heated saline pools (including family and adults-only options), large on-site spa programming, tennis courts, and a broader range of dining and event space.

When El Encanto Santa Barbara wins: pick El Encanto if you prefer a smaller, historic hotel with hillside and city views, a quieter property close to downtown Santa Barbara attractions, complimentary bikes and a more intimate dining/room count.

Bottom line: both work well for romantic Santa Barbara getaways; Bacara is the match for resort-scale amenities and beach time, while El Encanto is the pick for hillside privacy and proximity to downtown sites.

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The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara vs El Encanto Santa Barbara – At a Glance

Side-by-side facts for The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara and El Encanto Santa Barbara
CategoryThe Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa BarbaraEl Encanto Santa Barbara
Overall vibeLarge oceanfront Spanish-Colonial resort village across 78 acresHistoric hillside luxury hotel with intimate scale
LocationGoleta, on oceanfront grounds near Haskell’s Beach (resort has its own beaches)800 Alvarado Place — in the heart of Santa Barbara, near Mission Santa Barbara and museums
Size / rooms358 guest rooms and suites92 individually decorated guestrooms
Who it suitsFamilies and couples seeking full resort amenities and beach accessCouples and travelers wanting a smaller, historic hotel near downtown
PoolsThree heated saline outdoor pools (Main, Oval, adults-only Spa Pool)Number of outdoor pools - 1
Restaurants & barsMultiple venues: Marisella, Lulio, 'O' Bar & Terrace, SunBar, Mission Market, plus in-room diningTwo restaurants including The Dining Room; room service (limited hours)
Spa & wellnessThe Ritz-Carlton Spa Bacara — 42,000 sq ft with sauna, steam, cold plunge, adults-only poolFull-service spa with treatment rooms, sauna listed
Known forResort-scale amenities, multiple pools, event and wedding spaceHistoric hillside setting, views of the city and gardens
Meeting & event spaceExtensive: ~85,000 sq ft across many indoor/outdoor venues (large ballrooms and lawns)Conference space size 32,292 sq ft (3000 m²) and 7 meeting rooms
Accessibility to downtownAbout a 10–15 minute drive to Santa Barbara airport; ~13 miles from downtown Santa BarbaraWithin a short drive of downtown attractions (Mission Santa Barbara, museums) — central Santa Barbara location

A Look Inside The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara

The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara: rooms & suitesRooms & suitesThe Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara: pools & beachPools & beachThe Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara: diningDiningThe Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara: spa & wellnessSpa & wellness
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Location: oceanfront resort vs hillside city access

The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara – Location

The Ritz-Carlton Bacara sits on 78 oceanfront acres in Goleta with direct access to two natural beaches.

  • Haskell’s Beach is a roughly 9-minute walk from the resort.
  • Set off U.S. Highway 101 north of downtown Santa Barbara; about a 10-minute drive from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport.
  • Good for guests who want easy beach access and coastal outdoor activities (surfing, kayaking, sailing nearby).

Choose Bacara if you prioritize beach access and broad coastal grounds.

El Encanto Santa Barbara – Location

El Encanto is a historic hillside hotel located in central Santa Barbara near Mission Santa Barbara and city attractions.

  • Address: 800 Alvarado Place, within a short drive of the Santa Barbara Museum of Art and State Street attractions.
  • Offers complimentary on-site bicycles and a free beach shuttle to help guests reach beaches and downtown.
  • Feels more embedded in the city’s cultural and historic neighborhoods than a beachfront resort.

Choose El Encanto for proximity to downtown Santa Barbara and museum/mission visits.

Rooms: scale and style

The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara – Rooms

Bacara offers 358 rooms and suites across multiple room categories, from standard resort views to large ocean-view suites and penthouses.

  • Room inventory includes Room, Resort View; Room, Ocean View; Club Suites and several large multi-bedroom suites.
  • Free WiFi in all rooms; many rooms include balconies or ocean views.
  • Family-friendly room types and Ritz Kids programming; some adult-only facilities (spa pool) restricted by age.

Bacara is for travelers who want variety in room size and ocean-view suite options.

El Encanto Santa Barbara – Rooms

El Encanto has 92 individually decorated guestrooms and a variety of suites and bungalows.

  • Room types include Premier Room, 1 King Bed; Terrace Premium 1 King; Suite (Hummingbird); Bungalow (Garden); and multi-bedroom suites.
  • Rooms emphasize historic character and hillside/city or garden views.
  • Smaller overall inventory makes the property feel more intimate than a large resort.

El Encanto suits guests after boutique, historic rooms and a quieter hotel scale.

Dining & drinks: more options vs intimate menus

The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara – Dining & drinks

Bacara has multiple dining venues covering Italian, Mediterranean, poolside, a market café, and an oceanfront bar.

  • Marisella (Italian/coastal-Italian) and Lulio (Mediterranean) provide full-restaurant service.
  • SunBar is a family-friendly poolside bar; 'O' Bar & Terrace is an oceanfront bar open late.
  • Mission Market offers grab-and-go options; in-room dining available daily to midnight.

Pick Bacara for a wider selection of on-site restaurants and casual-to-fine dining choices.

El Encanto Santa Barbara – Dining & drinks

El Encanto offers two restaurants (including The Dining Room) plus bar and limited room service hours.

  • The Dining Room emphasizes Californian cuisine; full breakfasts are available for a fee.
  • Smaller number of outlets means dining is quieter and more intimate than at a large resort.
  • Concierge can help with nearby downtown dining and reservations.

El Encanto is a better fit if you prefer intimate on-site dining and exploring nearby downtown restaurants.

Pools & beach: resort beaches vs a single hotel pool

The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara – Pools & beach

Bacara features three heated saline outdoor pools plus two natural beaches on the property.

  • Main Pool and Oval Pool are open to all guests with F&B service during posted hours.
  • An adults-only Spa Pool sits inside the 42,000 sq ft spa complex.
  • Pools are zero-edge saline and heated; pool hours commonly run 10:00 AM–6:00 PM for main pools.

Bacara is the clear choice for on-site beach time and multiple pool options for families and adults.

El Encanto Santa Barbara – Pools & beach

El Encanto lists one outdoor pool and provides a complimentary beach shuttle to nearby beaches.

  • On-site pool and pool sun loungers are available for guests.
  • Complimentary beach shuttle simplifies beach access without beachfront grounds.
  • Smaller pool footprint aligns with the hotel’s boutique scale and quieter atmosphere.

El Encanto works for guests comfortable using a single pool and taking a short shuttle to local beaches.

Wellness & nightlife: big spa and activities vs quieter spa and downtown nights

The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara – Wellness & nightlife

Bacara’s 42,000 sq ft spa and on-site activities make wellness a major resort focus.

  • Spa amenities include redwood sauna, eucalyptus steam room, cold plunge, rooftop terrace and fireside lounges.
  • Fitness center, yoga classes, four Har-Tru tennis courts, free bicycles and organized activities for children.
  • Evening options include multiple bars and seasonal entertainment on property.

Choose Bacara for a broad wellness program, on-site fitness and family activities.

El Encanto Santa Barbara – Wellness & nightlife

El Encanto offers a full-service spa, yoga classes listed on site, and easy access to downtown nightlife.

  • Spa treatment rooms and wellness services are available by reservation.
  • Complimentary bikes and proximity to State Street make evening dining and bars an easy option.
  • Evening entertainment is more likely to be found off-property in downtown Santa Barbara.

El Encanto is better if you want a quieter hotel spa and a short trip to downtown nightlife.

Who Wins? Best Pick by Travel Style

Best for beach days
Resort lobby seating area with wooden beamed ceiling at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara

The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara

The Ritz-Carlton Bacara — two natural resort beaches and multiple ocean-view pools make beach time effortless.

Best for a quiet, historic stay near downtown
El Encanto Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California

El Encanto Santa Barbara

El Encanto — hillside seclusion in the heart of Santa Barbara, close to museums and the Mission.

Best for spa and fitness facilities
Lobby entrance with high ceilings, reception desk and floral table at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara

The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara

The Ritz-Carlton Bacara — a 42,000 sq ft spa with sauna, steam, cold plunge and dedicated adults-only pool.

Best for intimate, boutique atmosphere
El Encanto Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California

El Encanto Santa Barbara

El Encanto — smaller room count and individually decorated guestrooms create a quiet, boutique feel.

Frequently asked questions

The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara vs El Encanto Santa Barbara: FAQs

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Which hotel is closer to downtown Santa Barbara attractions?

El Encanto is in central Santa Barbara and is closer to Mission Santa Barbara, museums and State Street dining; Bacara is in Goleta about 13 miles from downtown.

Which property has better on-site beach access?

The Ritz-Carlton Bacara has two natural beaches on its grounds. El Encanto provides a complimentary beach shuttle but is not located on the beachfront.

Are either of these hotels adults-only?

Neither property is strictly adults-only. The Ritz-Carlton Bacara has adult-only spa areas and an adults-only spa pool; El Encanto is family-friendly.

Which is better for events or weddings?

The Ritz-Carlton Bacara has far larger event and wedding facilities across many indoor/outdoor venues; El Encanto offers meeting rooms and ~3,000 m² of conference space but on a much smaller scale.

More The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara Comparison Guides

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Ocean terrace with round dining table, fireplace and palm tree at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara
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