The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara has completed property-wide enhancements in celebration of its 25th anniversary this September.

The 358-key resort, which is perched on 78 acres overlooking the Pacific Ocean, partnered with multidisciplinary design firm Meyer Davis to reimagine its guestrooms and suites, lobby, public spaces, pool and cabana offerings. New restaurant and bar concepts have also been added.

“With The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara, we set out to create a resort that feels like an extension of the coastline itself,” said Will Meyer, co-founder of Meyer Davis Studio. “Every element – from the materials to the spatial flow – was chosen to echo the land’s quiet drama and natural texture. The goal was to design a place that doesn’t just sit on the bluff but belongs to it – drawing guests into an experience that’s immersive, effortless and deeply connected to its surroundings.”

Highlights of the renovation of The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara include:

• Unique design details in guestrooms (averaging 450 square feet in size) and suites, including carved stone, aged leathers and natural woven textures along with area rugs inspired by Chumash motifs and headboards with custom fabrics by Erica Shamrock that take cues from Californios horse blankets
• Three distinctive signature suites – two Ritz-Carlton Suites (2,000 square feet) and one two-storey Channel Islands Suite (3,700 square feet)
• New and updated bars and restaurants, including Maple Hospitality Group‘s Marisella, which is helmed by chef and partner Danny Grant, and Lulio, a collection of hand-crafted spaces serving fresh, farm-to-coast dishes
• An expanded outdoor terrace and refreshed pool deck with three zero-edge swimming pools and additional cabanas
• The Ritz-Carlton Bacara Spa, a 42,000-square-foot wellbeing retreat with its own swimming pool, redwood sauna and eucalyptus steam room
• 85,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and event space

“We envisioned the hotel as a modern retreat, inspired by the architecture of early haciendas. Our aim was to honor the spirit of Californios style, so each detail – from textured materials to sculptural forms – was selected to feel both natural and enduring, guiding guests through the space with quiet intention,” said Gray Davis, co-founder, Meyer Davis Studio.