A weekend at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara in Santa Barbara is just what we needed
We had to get out of LA. The fires were catastrophic and although we weren’t in the burn zone ourselves, the air was filled with smoke and the general atmosphere alarming, to say the least. Our toddlers could sense our anxious energy and were going stir-crazy inside. Frankly, so were we.
We knew we needed a respite from this scary reality. And it turned out, the Ritz-Carlton Bacara in Santa Barbara was just the oasis we needed.
We booked it last minute, but thankfully rooms were available for another family and ourselves.
And within just hours we were transported.
Set amongst gorgeous greenery and overlooking the sparkling Pacific Ocean, The Ritz-Carlton Bacara was a breath of fresh air – literally and figuratively. And to my delight, it was more than just a hotel, it was a true resort, with a spacious layout, villa-style rooms, and a beautiful pool area.
Our three-year-old couldn’t get enough of the golf cart that took us from the lobby to our room, and the staff were kind of enough to drive us around the property just for fun. We spent our days at the pool and in the hot tub, downtown at the Children’s Museum, enjoying the view from the Courthouse on State Street and at the Santa Barbara Zoo. We had big family breakfasts on property with the most delicious pancakes and breathtaking views. We ate some of my favorite chocolate croissants at ALESSIA Patisserie and Café on a relaxed morning, and visited my husband’s old favorite spot, Jeannine’s Restaurant and Bakery. And on our last night, we ordered take out and sat around a fire pit near the lobby while the kids ran around talking about when we could get back there.
During a crisis like the recent fires, I knew it was our good fortune that we could escape, even for a long weekend – and to such a luxurious place at that.
Our time was even more grounding and stabilizing than I anticipated given the lush landscape. I didn’t realize how badly I needed to be in nature – to hear the birds sing and the leaves rustle in the trees, and to see green, so much green, and to put my feet in the sand and feel the water rush to shore. My nervous system needed a reset, and despite the chaos of traveling with toddlers, our time at the Bacara was filled up with a good dose of tranquility.
When we drove back South, I was filled up with a deep sense of peace and hope and gratitude. I could see through all the smoke to remember that the world is a beautiful place, and that things would be okay. And that we have to take care of this sacred home of ours.