The Ritz-Carlton Bacara perches atop a bluff overlooking two miles of beach, a little north of Santa Barbara. Architecturally it resembles a Spanish Colonial village, as winding pathways connect low-slung buildings with open balconies and courtyards with fountains. Within its 78 acres are 311 rooms and suites, a 42,000-square-foot spa, a fitness center, 3 rimless swimming pools, and 4 Har-Tru tennis courts. Its connection to a 1,000-acre lemon and avocado ranch adds more dimensions, like horseback riding, hiking and mountain biking. Golfers, meanwhile, have privileges at local courses.
Four courts is a modest number for a hotel this size, but they stand out for their soft surface—a relative rarity in southern California—their location near the ocean, and the expertise of Cliff Drysdale Tennis (CDT), which manages the complex. Galina Bykova directs the programing. Originally from St. Petersburg, Russia, she ranked among that country’s Top 50 juniors. That led to an invitation to join the St. Petersburg tennis team, which went on to win the Russian Team Championship and earn Bykova the prestigious title of Master of Sports of Russia. She then came to the U.S. where she played Division I tennis at the University of Idaho, leading the team to the NCAA Division I Team Championships, before moving on to California State University, Fresno, where she captained the tennis team to its highest national ranking of 20.
At Bacara, she stages a weekly roster of tennis activities, including Cardio tennis, live ball and strategy drill sessions, social round robins, as more, as well as group and private lessons. And several times a year, she joins the Drysdale tennis team to host Tennis and Wine Weekends, supplementing three days of on-court activities with private wine tours and tasting at an award-winning local winery.
Tennis aside, Ritz-Carlton Bacara guests can swim in three pools, surf or sail at the beach, play a round at the adjacent championship golf course, or walk the on-property nature trail. Santa Barbara is also home to a thriving arts community, festival circuit, and wineries, inviting guests to explore beyond the resort to discover more of what the area has to offer.
Four courts is a modest number for a hotel this size, but they stand out for their soft surface—a relative rarity in southern California—their location near the ocean, and the expertise of Cliff Drysdale Tennis (CDT), which manages the complex. Galina Bykova directs the programing. Originally from St. Petersburg, Russia, she ranked among that country’s Top 50 juniors. That led to an invitation to join the St. Petersburg tennis team, which went on to win the Russian Team Championship and earn Bykova the prestigious title of Master of Sports of Russia. She then came to the U.S. where she played Division I tennis at the University of Idaho, leading the team to the NCAA Division I Team Championships, before moving on to California State University, Fresno, where she captained the tennis team to its highest national ranking of 20.
There's a weekly roster of tennis activities, including Cardio tennis, live ball and strategy drill sessions, social round robins, as more, as well as group and private lessons. There are also year-round customized camps. And, several times a year, the Drysdale tennis team hosts Tennis and Wine Weekends, supplementing three days of on-court activities with private wine tours and tasting at an award-winning local winery.
Off Court
Set on 78 acres, the resort offers two-mile natural beach, three zero-edged saline, heated pools with private cabana rentals and watersports including surfing, kayaking and paddle boarding, while the surrounding area adds opportunities for horseback riding, biking, hiking, and more.
Tennis aside, Ritz-Carlton Bacara guests can swim in three pools, enjoy an award-winning Spa, surf or sail at the beach, play a round at the adjacent championship golf course, or walk the on-property nature trail. Santa Barbara is also home to a thriving arts community, festival circuit, and wineries, inviting guests to explore beyond the resort to discover more of what the area has to offer.
Accommodations
311 rooms and suites
Getting there
Seasons: Year-round
Travel Instructions: The nearest major air gateway is Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA), 6 miles to the east.
General Tourist Information: For information about the Santa Barbara, visit the Visit Santa Barbara website.
Complete your details and we’ll get someone from their team to contact you directly with further details.
92 Reviews on “The Ritz-Carlton, Bacara”
Excellent
4.5
92 reviews
On Court Experience
4.3
Off Court Experience
4.3
Overall Tennis
3.7
Overall Pickleball
0.9
Adult Tennis Camp Experience
3.6
Tennis Instruction
4.3
Pickleball Instruction
0.7
Adult Tennis Camp Experience
3.6
Accomodations
3.6
TF
Myself and three friends attended the Wine and Tennis Weekend at the Ritz Carlton, Bacara in Santa Barbara. What a great weekend. The Tennis Director, Galina is terrific! She brings so much energy to the camp and makes it a fun and educational experience. No standing around waiting for the next drill. She keeps things moving to get the most out of the instruction. Excellent communicator.
Highly Recommend!
CW
The tennis clinics were instructive while being a lot of fun. Galina was a great instructor – very knowledgeable and great at pinpointing areas of improvement and tips/drills for the same. The grounds were also beautiful and the stay was completely awesome. Would highly recommend and will definitely return!
TB
The resort is beautiful and the Cliff Drysdale Tennis Camp was the perfect excuse to visit. So much fun, especially on the courts with Galina and rest of Cliff Drysdale Team that was there that weekend. Our group had the best time!
GB
Galina is doing a fantastic job as Tennis Director. The facility is well run and she provides excellent instruction to guests and members alike. Personally, she has taken my tennis to a whole new level. Galina has also incorporated pickleball into her curriculum with great results.
JC
Galina is fantastic. She was on-time and accommodated my requests for a type of lesson that was probably more work than her typical lessons. Galina intuitively understood what I wanted to get out of the lesson (keep the pace going even though I looked very tired) as well as not taking it too easy on me (as some coaches do to try to boost your confidence). Perfect lesson…Thanks again.
CM
Galina is an excellent instructor. She is very knowledgeable and shares her thoughts in a positive manner. Lessons and clinics are tremendous fun, but you also leave a better player. I highly recommend Galina and my first experience with Cliff Drysdale tennis was very positive. The Ritz-Carlton Bacara also was a wonderful experience.
TT
I’ve visited four Cliff Drysdale Tennis camps around the country, and Ritz-Carlton Bacara is now my favorite. The resort is beautiful and the November is weather perfect. The tennis courts are hidden away near resort pools and the Pacific Ocean. The Har-Tru clay surface is easy on the knees, and the locals I joined for a clinic were fun and welcoming. Best of all, after four lessons with Galina, I returned home with an improved volley game!
CR
The staff was the best part. They were so much fun. I did learn a lot and my new spicy racket is the boom!! Galina allowed me to practice with her racket and after falling in love with it she strung me up a new one just like hers. Got back home and won my 4.0 match with my new racket and the techniques I learned while there. This was my first time in California, at a Ritz Carlton so I had high expectations. Galina and her team made this weekend the best tennis and win camp I have been to. The pro shop could have been better. I was ready to shop.
PP
Attended the CD Tennis and wine weekend at the Ritz and it was an absolute blast. Gorgeous hotel and tennis facility, lots to do in Santa Barbara. But the pros, Galina, Lexi, Valeria and Stuart absolutely made the weekend with their skill, enthusiasm and laughs. We had such a great time and will definitely go back.
SM
Coaches Galena Valeria Lexi and Stewart were high energy and fun! Enjoyed the tennis immensely!
EK
Gorgeous resort and exceptional high energy instructional tennis camp. Pros were each great and offered various tips.
AS
Galina, Lexi, V, and Stuart were amazing. I had the best time and learned so much. Would highly recommend to anyone.
BS
The clinic was exceptional! The only thing I would have liked was to have been partnered/ grouped with other people. Played with the same ladies a lot of the time. I know it wasn’t based on skill once I played with others at the end. I had a match today and used the martini glass volley drill and it worked great!
ES
The tennis pros and staff at the Cliff Drysdale tennis clinic at Bacara were all super high-energy, fun, knowledgeable and helpful! They gave so many great pointers and tips for me to take home. I wish that some drills could have lasted longer so that I could build more muscle memory with the new skills, but the drills weren’t terribly short and there’s only so much time in a weekend anyway, it would have been impossible to change my 12 years of bad tennis habits in that tiny window of time. I also loved the immediate on-court feedback that the pros gave me about what I was doing right and wrong. Lots of positivity and encouragement all around. I would love to do this clinic again, and get some more match play in on the final day, and highly recommend to anyone interested in fun tennis getaways.
Nh
NULL
BC
My son and I took lessons together, mainly focused on him. It was an awkward ask for me to be involved and to participate, but to still make it mainly for my teenager. Coach Galina did it perfectly, and my son does not have an easy temperament. She got him to warm up to her quickly and to buy in with enthusiasm. She also did a nice job not confusing him with instruction that would conflict with his coaches at home. We wanted practice, a workout, and some polishing. We got that and more. She kept it up-beat but she really challenged him and did that thing that all great coaches do well and all bad coaches fail at: staying right above their client’s level so the player can compete and win some points but so there are no easy points.
KZ
This was a phenomenal getaway location for an active girls weekend. The cardio tennis was the most energetic cardio tennis class I’ve ever taken. Galina is a wonderful asset at this resort!!! She gave us an incredible workout that was also fun. THANK YOU!
VM
Working with Galina was outstanding She is a huge asset for the tennis program She brings great energy and the kids really enjoyed her
SF
I highly recommend it
WW
Galina is fantastic please keep her!
SR
Wonderful tennis courts, energetic and skilled coach.
TS
My family and I love the tennis at bacara! Great energetic fun talented instructors!! So much fun and we are learning so much.
JB
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SS
The best part of Ritz Carlton Bacara’s tennis center is its director of tennis, Galina Bykova. She is high energy in a positive and fun way. But more importantly she is an exceptional tennis instructor. Galina gives insightful feedback on technique and court positioning, all while putting together engaging drills that are complex enough to not be boring but with clear instructions so you know what you’re supposed to do. You’ll be happy taking a private or cardio or live ball clinic with Galina.
CW
We have been club members at the Ritz Carlton Bacara for more than 12 years and associate members at the tennis facility for over four years. Between the outstanding program that Galina provides for Tennis, and the overall experience at the resort, we don’t know what we would do without it, a huge part of our lives!
KC
Tennis courts and instruction are awesome and well managed !!
MF
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RL
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TS
The clay courts are close enough to the beach that you can hear the surf. The facilities are very nice, the courts are always well-groomed. The instruction is top notch. Galina can taylor instruction to be effective for everyone in a clinic. Her one-on-one instruction is excellent, plus she is a lot of fun during your time on the court. I visit this facility several times a year and am never disappointed.
Jv
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DR
The tennis instructor, Galina, was very helpful, held a lively clinic and provided really good instruction in my private lessons.
DM
As a solo traveller looking for an environment providing a combination of tennis coaching and relaxation, I thoroughly enjoyed my time at RC- Bacara. I genuinely looked forward to the tennis coaching each day which was varied, fun, energetic and appropriate to my level as a newcomer to the sport later in life. Thank you Galina and Francesca for making the experience a positive one. If I have the opportunity to return in the future, I think it would be of great value in the private lessons to have some video analysis and review of this as a visual aid for feedback.
JR
NULL
MK
Galina offers high energy, challenging drills and constructive suggestions to help with technique and strategy. Clay courts can get slippery.
CH
Galina is the best: high energy, supportive, fun, and a skilled coach. We loved every season with her and look forward to returning.
SH
We have always loved the Bacara and visit as often as we can. Once we met Galina, we knew she was the perfect pro for us. She is high energy, FUN, strategic and patient. 🙂 We look forward to our lessons every week – even when the only time we can make it is 7:30 am on a Sunday. She is flexible, friendly and did I mention FUN?! 😉 If I were you, I’d give her a BIG raise to keep her – she is a wonderful asset that makes your tennis program shine and keeps us coming back and recommending her and the resort to everyone we know.
SS
NULL
LH
Galina, the tennis pro is exceptional, experienced, high energy, fun.
DR
Galina was a very good instructor. Very patient and enthusiastic.
SC
Lovely resort and setting. Hosted tennis outing for small business group and the tennis staff was fantastic! We had multiple levels of players and varying attendance on different days. They worked with us on last-minute changes and ensured everyone felt welcome and had a great time!
PB
Strength: Galana Bykova – skilled, high energy, personable. Weakness: more wait staff at Bistro restaurant.
TD
NULL
MS
Galina runs an exceptional experience at the Bacara. We will sometimes go just for the clinic for the day or sometimes in conjunction staying at the Bacara for the weekend! Love it there!
DC
Galina is the heart and soul of the tennis program at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara in Goleta/Santa Barbara. She is enthusiastic, encouraging, and technically superior in instruction with kids and adults alike. We see her annually and are lucky to have the same outstanding quality each time. It is a point of pride for the resort to provide you the best experience.
Kw
The pro, Galina, at the resort was amazing. Super high energy, engaging and patient. Definitely top notch experience with the tennis and enjoying the resort, restaurants, and ocean views.
AG
Came here for the tennis. Galina was a 10 out of ten in re: to clinics & instruction. However, the tennis facility falls short in comparison to other high end resorts. No water or towels on the court. Zero check in or greeting process. It’s too much for Galina to be on court, teaching; while also worrying about court reservations. Also, since the courts back up to public parking and beach access, the tennis club house should always have an attendant on site, during operating hours. Said attendant should not be the teaching pro. And…get a pro shop. We extended our stay and would have been easy targets for purchasing new tennis duds (as we are living on dirty laundry). I think the Ritz needs have more or a presence in the tennis center,
MH
Had a great time! Galina was fabulous!
BL
NULL
Ws
I have played tennis often at the Bacara and Galina runs a great program. She is smart, communicative, an excellent coach, and always makes it fun. I would recommend tennis at the Bacara and especially Galina to anyone- she is a keeper!
KP
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MD
Unforgettable experience playing on these gorgeous clay courts with the ocean breeze and Galina’s dazzling energy!
LR
Our instructor, Galina, is a first rate instructor. Talented, well organized, upbeat, playful in exactly the right measue. I had an excellent lesson and will retuen again, gladly
KT
Galina was fabulous! She and Valera were my absolute favorite pros. They had the best energy and made it such a fun getaway with my girlfriends. Emily and Jay were also delightful.
JB
We had a great tennis weekend with Galina, Valeria and her teaching crew at The Bacara. Galina is fantastic – high energy, fun and very knowledgeable. Valeria was equally fabulous. My friends and I had a great weekend of tennis, especially loving the morning clinics. The Bacara resort was lovely as were the on site restaurants. We would most definitely come back!
SK
The tennis instructors were wonderful! Positive, high energy and super fun!
HD
Galina brings fabulous energy and instruction to the courts at the Bacara. I attended a tennis weekend with 3 friends and we had a wonderful time. This is a great experience for a large or small group. There was a mix of live ball, drills, instruction and round robin match play. We enjoyed ourselves and we enjoyed the fantastic group of pros who helped make each day fun and educational. I recommend the Ritz Carlton Bacara tennis weekend for players looking to enjoy an exquisite resort while playing tennis in ideal weather.
LP
My group (beginners to intermediate) had a wonderful experience with Galina and Jay. They were super helpful in giving us tips and a solid foundation to continue building our tennis skills. They were high energy and super fun, and the time flew! We did two three-hour sessions and could have kept going! A wonderful experience and would highly recommend.
MB
Our tennis instructors for our family lessons were Great. Galina and Jay had lots of energy and were excellent at drills and instruction . We had lots of fun doing our 2 hour lessons.
MG
If you can go and ask for Galina Bykova for private or group lessons, then I would highly recommend that. She is so good at working on your weak points in such a fun and upbeat way. Both my husband and I really enjoyed her.
KW
My husband and I participated in a small group tennis camp for three days. The energy was amazing and the instruction was valuable to our game. Thank you to Galina and Dan for running an energized few days of tennis at a beautiful location!
CB
This is my second time to the tennis camp in Santa Barbara. Galena’s fun personality and tennis skill brought my group back. The Har-Tru tennis courts are fun to play on. The camp is organized to see how we play the first day, then provides drills to target the group’s specific needs. All of the drills were fun and effective. In fact I returned from my trip to playing USTA matches using what I learned and am winning.
JH
Second time at this resort. The tennis was fantastic. Galina is an energetic and knowledgeable instructor. The hotel campus is beautiful. Only suggestion is to season the food a little better. everything was quite bland and too expensive.
MB
The tennis Director is outstanding and a total blast for a fun tennis weekend.
HB
Galina was a wonderful instructor. She assessed our skills, helped us work on our weaknesses, and elevated our level of play.
CR
Tennis was Superb!! The grounds were beautiful and picturesque. The rooms and property were dated and had plumbing issues.
KB
Galina is a gem. She made our trip incredible and we look forward to returning to work with her. We were impressed with her instruction and her energy. Her drills were high energy and pushed us athletically while focusing on skill development. Keep her for as long as you can! We will definitely refer our friends to take a trip to Santa Barbara!!
MW
Galina Bykova is an outstanding tennis instructor. She is high energy, always positive, hard driving, and really improved our form. I give Galina the highest possible marks and hope to work with her again soon. She is a tremendous asset to Cliff Drysdale!!!
CS
Everything about the property and the tennis program was beyond my expectations…Galina and Val had the most amazing energy at the tennis clinics and our whole team elevated their playing and had so much fun doing so! Just a magical experience- the resort, setting, service and tennis. All just amazing!
HR
I thought this Tennis Camp was fantastic! The instructors were high energy, engaging, and gave great pointers. The resort was stunning and a great location for a Tennis Camp. I would have liked one extra night! Also a late check-out was key when the clinic ended at the same time as check-out. Overall, AMAZING and I can’t wait to attend another one!
JF
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MS
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TN
The Cliff Drysdale tennis retreat was the most amazing tennis get a way I have been to. My husband and I loved the pros, facility and all around fun. We plan to go back for another fun weekend. I highly recommend this facility for a great tennis weekend.
KC
Groups are perfect size for instruction. Lots of fun drills and excellent feedback from the teaching pros. Great social atmosphere and perfect weekend getaway.
LG
Beautiful resort and accommodations. Tennis coaches are Phenomenal
SD
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MJ
Awesome location on the beach in Santa Barbara. 4 great clay courts. Galina is high energy and very motivational, in addition to possessing an awesome tennis skill set.
LG
Lovely resort, great tennis, fun pros. A really great experience
TF
My husband and I had a wonderful time at the Ritz-Carlton- Bacara in Santa Barbara. This is the second camp we have attended and it did not disappoint. Galina Bykova and her team do an excellent job with the clinics and private lessons. It was a wonderful weekend!
VR
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KB
KB
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KK
Great place for rest and relaxation. Attentive staff and the return of the breakfast buffet! Beach was the highlight for me. Tennis was great fun! The pro’s were very good and the drills were on point. Loved the fast pace of the clinic and the progression of instruction and drills. I was disappointed with the wine tasting. We tasted two wines. The weekend was labeled Tennis and Wine, so I assumed there would be more than two wines. Also, it would be great if you include breakfast or maybe offer a discount coupon.
KT
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SM
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HW
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KC
Loved the tennis trip here with my girlfriends!
LI
Galina and Ted were absolutely fabulous. They had great energy and were good at setting drills and technique and strategy. They kept us moving and did not just sit there and feed balls but really tried to improve our tennis game and pushed us but did not push us to an extreme. I highly recommend these two pro’s and experience. Thank you so much for taking good care of our group.
JR
I truly enjoyed my tennis experience at the Ritz Calton’s Tennis Camp in Santa Barbara. The coaching staff was knowledgeable and encouraging. They were able to help provide small adjustments that made big differences in consistency and placement. The tennis camps were small enough that you were still able to get some focused attention. The private training was great. The only challenge was using courts in free time after camps and lessons to put into place what you worked on.
CW
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MI
I have played 138 Southern California and Central Coast 4.0 men’s singles tourneys since 2007. I am ALWAYS looking for professional staff to make improvements in my competitive tennis strategies. The Bacara staff, perform this with the result of making me a better tourney player. Staff focus is to get student feedback on improvements areas and work towards that improvement goal. I have improved my volleys, baseline hitting, approach shots, and improved percentage play for a variety of shots. Next few lessons will focus on serves and return of serves. I have to been to this clinic 8 times since Oct 2020. I will continue this great priced Clinic and Private Lesson Package deals at least 4 times a year. A great Central Coast Resource for Tennis improvements and Focused Fun during the clinics.
92 Reviews on “The Ritz-Carlton, Bacara”
Myself and three friends attended the Wine and Tennis Weekend at the Ritz Carlton, Bacara in Santa Barbara. What a great weekend. The Tennis Director, Galina is terrific! She brings so much energy to the camp and makes it a fun and educational experience. No standing around waiting for the next drill. She keeps things moving to get the most out of the instruction. Excellent communicator.
Highly Recommend!
The tennis clinics were instructive while being a lot of fun. Galina was a great instructor – very knowledgeable and great at pinpointing areas of improvement and tips/drills for the same. The grounds were also beautiful and the stay was completely awesome. Would highly recommend and will definitely return!
The resort is beautiful and the Cliff Drysdale Tennis Camp was the perfect excuse to visit. So much fun, especially on the courts with Galina and rest of Cliff Drysdale Team that was there that weekend. Our group had the best time!
Galina is doing a fantastic job as Tennis Director. The facility is well run and she provides excellent instruction to guests and members alike. Personally, she has taken my tennis to a whole new level. Galina has also incorporated pickleball into her curriculum with great results.
Galina is fantastic. She was on-time and accommodated my requests for a type of lesson that was probably more work than her typical lessons. Galina intuitively understood what I wanted to get out of the lesson (keep the pace going even though I looked very tired) as well as not taking it too easy on me (as some coaches do to try to boost your confidence). Perfect lesson…Thanks again.
Galina is an excellent instructor. She is very knowledgeable and shares her thoughts in a positive manner. Lessons and clinics are tremendous fun, but you also leave a better player. I highly recommend Galina and my first experience with Cliff Drysdale tennis was very positive. The Ritz-Carlton Bacara also was a wonderful experience.
I’ve visited four Cliff Drysdale Tennis camps around the country, and Ritz-Carlton Bacara is now my favorite. The resort is beautiful and the November is weather perfect. The tennis courts are hidden away near resort pools and the Pacific Ocean. The Har-Tru clay surface is easy on the knees, and the locals I joined for a clinic were fun and welcoming. Best of all, after four lessons with Galina, I returned home with an improved volley game!
The staff was the best part. They were so much fun. I did learn a lot and my new spicy racket is the boom!! Galina allowed me to practice with her racket and after falling in love with it she strung me up a new one just like hers. Got back home and won my 4.0 match with my new racket and the techniques I learned while there. This was my first time in California, at a Ritz Carlton so I had high expectations. Galina and her team made this weekend the best tennis and win camp I have been to. The pro shop could have been better. I was ready to shop.
Attended the CD Tennis and wine weekend at the Ritz and it was an absolute blast. Gorgeous hotel and tennis facility, lots to do in Santa Barbara. But the pros, Galina, Lexi, Valeria and Stuart absolutely made the weekend with their skill, enthusiasm and laughs. We had such a great time and will definitely go back.
Coaches Galena Valeria Lexi and Stewart were high energy and fun! Enjoyed the tennis immensely!
Gorgeous resort and exceptional high energy instructional tennis camp. Pros were each great and offered various tips.
Galina, Lexi, V, and Stuart were amazing. I had the best time and learned so much. Would highly recommend to anyone.
The clinic was exceptional! The only thing I would have liked was to have been partnered/ grouped with other people. Played with the same ladies a lot of the time. I know it wasn’t based on skill once I played with others at the end. I had a match today and used the martini glass volley drill and it worked great!
The tennis pros and staff at the Cliff Drysdale tennis clinic at Bacara were all super high-energy, fun, knowledgeable and helpful! They gave so many great pointers and tips for me to take home. I wish that some drills could have lasted longer so that I could build more muscle memory with the new skills, but the drills weren’t terribly short and there’s only so much time in a weekend anyway, it would have been impossible to change my 12 years of bad tennis habits in that tiny window of time. I also loved the immediate on-court feedback that the pros gave me about what I was doing right and wrong. Lots of positivity and encouragement all around. I would love to do this clinic again, and get some more match play in on the final day, and highly recommend to anyone interested in fun tennis getaways.
NULL
My son and I took lessons together, mainly focused on him. It was an awkward ask for me to be involved and to participate, but to still make it mainly for my teenager. Coach Galina did it perfectly, and my son does not have an easy temperament. She got him to warm up to her quickly and to buy in with enthusiasm. She also did a nice job not confusing him with instruction that would conflict with his coaches at home. We wanted practice, a workout, and some polishing. We got that and more. She kept it up-beat but she really challenged him and did that thing that all great coaches do well and all bad coaches fail at: staying right above their client’s level so the player can compete and win some points but so there are no easy points.
This was a phenomenal getaway location for an active girls weekend. The cardio tennis was the most energetic cardio tennis class I’ve ever taken. Galina is a wonderful asset at this resort!!! She gave us an incredible workout that was also fun. THANK YOU!
Working with Galina was outstanding She is a huge asset for the tennis program She brings great energy and the kids really enjoyed her
I highly recommend it
Galina is fantastic please keep her!
Wonderful tennis courts, energetic and skilled coach.
My family and I love the tennis at bacara! Great energetic fun talented instructors!! So much fun and we are learning so much.
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The best part of Ritz Carlton Bacara’s tennis center is its director of tennis, Galina Bykova. She is high energy in a positive and fun way. But more importantly she is an exceptional tennis instructor. Galina gives insightful feedback on technique and court positioning, all while putting together engaging drills that are complex enough to not be boring but with clear instructions so you know what you’re supposed to do. You’ll be happy taking a private or cardio or live ball clinic with Galina.
We have been club members at the Ritz Carlton Bacara for more than 12 years and associate members at the tennis facility for over four years. Between the outstanding program that Galina provides for Tennis, and the overall experience at the resort, we don’t know what we would do without it, a huge part of our lives!
Tennis courts and instruction are awesome and well managed !!
NULL
NULL
The clay courts are close enough to the beach that you can hear the surf. The facilities are very nice, the courts are always well-groomed. The instruction is top notch. Galina can taylor instruction to be effective for everyone in a clinic. Her one-on-one instruction is excellent, plus she is a lot of fun during your time on the court. I visit this facility several times a year and am never disappointed.
NULL
The tennis instructor, Galina, was very helpful, held a lively clinic and provided really good instruction in my private lessons.
As a solo traveller looking for an environment providing a combination of tennis coaching and relaxation, I thoroughly enjoyed my time at RC- Bacara. I genuinely looked forward to the tennis coaching each day which was varied, fun, energetic and appropriate to my level as a newcomer to the sport later in life. Thank you Galina and Francesca for making the experience a positive one. If I have the opportunity to return in the future, I think it would be of great value in the private lessons to have some video analysis and review of this as a visual aid for feedback.
NULL
Galina offers high energy, challenging drills and constructive suggestions to help with technique and strategy. Clay courts can get slippery.
Galina is the best: high energy, supportive, fun, and a skilled coach. We loved every season with her and look forward to returning.
We have always loved the Bacara and visit as often as we can. Once we met Galina, we knew she was the perfect pro for us. She is high energy, FUN, strategic and patient. 🙂 We look forward to our lessons every week – even when the only time we can make it is 7:30 am on a Sunday. She is flexible, friendly and did I mention FUN?! 😉 If I were you, I’d give her a BIG raise to keep her – she is a wonderful asset that makes your tennis program shine and keeps us coming back and recommending her and the resort to everyone we know.
NULL
Galina, the tennis pro is exceptional, experienced, high energy, fun.
Galina was a very good instructor. Very patient and enthusiastic.
Lovely resort and setting. Hosted tennis outing for small business group and the tennis staff was fantastic! We had multiple levels of players and varying attendance on different days. They worked with us on last-minute changes and ensured everyone felt welcome and had a great time!
Strength: Galana Bykova – skilled, high energy, personable. Weakness: more wait staff at Bistro restaurant.
NULL
Galina runs an exceptional experience at the Bacara. We will sometimes go just for the clinic for the day or sometimes in conjunction staying at the Bacara for the weekend! Love it there!
Galina is the heart and soul of the tennis program at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara in Goleta/Santa Barbara. She is enthusiastic, encouraging, and technically superior in instruction with kids and adults alike. We see her annually and are lucky to have the same outstanding quality each time. It is a point of pride for the resort to provide you the best experience.
The pro, Galina, at the resort was amazing. Super high energy, engaging and patient. Definitely top notch experience with the tennis and enjoying the resort, restaurants, and ocean views.
Came here for the tennis. Galina was a 10 out of ten in re: to clinics & instruction. However, the tennis facility falls short in comparison to other high end resorts. No water or towels on the court. Zero check in or greeting process. It’s too much for Galina to be on court, teaching; while also worrying about court reservations. Also, since the courts back up to public parking and beach access, the tennis club house should always have an attendant on site, during operating hours. Said attendant should not be the teaching pro. And…get a pro shop. We extended our stay and would have been easy targets for purchasing new tennis duds (as we are living on dirty laundry). I think the Ritz needs have more or a presence in the tennis center,
Had a great time! Galina was fabulous!
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I have played tennis often at the Bacara and Galina runs a great program. She is smart, communicative, an excellent coach, and always makes it fun. I would recommend tennis at the Bacara and especially Galina to anyone- she is a keeper!
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Unforgettable experience playing on these gorgeous clay courts with the ocean breeze and Galina’s dazzling energy!
Our instructor, Galina, is a first rate instructor. Talented, well organized, upbeat, playful in exactly the right measue. I had an excellent lesson and will retuen again, gladly
Galina was fabulous! She and Valera were my absolute favorite pros. They had the best energy and made it such a fun getaway with my girlfriends. Emily and Jay were also delightful.
We had a great tennis weekend with Galina, Valeria and her teaching crew at The Bacara. Galina is fantastic – high energy, fun and very knowledgeable. Valeria was equally fabulous. My friends and I had a great weekend of tennis, especially loving the morning clinics. The Bacara resort was lovely as were the on site restaurants. We would most definitely come back!
The tennis instructors were wonderful! Positive, high energy and super fun!
Galina brings fabulous energy and instruction to the courts at the Bacara. I attended a tennis weekend with 3 friends and we had a wonderful time. This is a great experience for a large or small group. There was a mix of live ball, drills, instruction and round robin match play. We enjoyed ourselves and we enjoyed the fantastic group of pros who helped make each day fun and educational. I recommend the Ritz Carlton Bacara tennis weekend for players looking to enjoy an exquisite resort while playing tennis in ideal weather.
My group (beginners to intermediate) had a wonderful experience with Galina and Jay. They were super helpful in giving us tips and a solid foundation to continue building our tennis skills. They were high energy and super fun, and the time flew! We did two three-hour sessions and could have kept going! A wonderful experience and would highly recommend.
Our tennis instructors for our family lessons were Great. Galina and Jay had lots of energy and were excellent at drills and instruction . We had lots of fun doing our 2 hour lessons.
If you can go and ask for Galina Bykova for private or group lessons, then I would highly recommend that. She is so good at working on your weak points in such a fun and upbeat way. Both my husband and I really enjoyed her.
My husband and I participated in a small group tennis camp for three days. The energy was amazing and the instruction was valuable to our game. Thank you to Galina and Dan for running an energized few days of tennis at a beautiful location!
This is my second time to the tennis camp in Santa Barbara. Galena’s fun personality and tennis skill brought my group back. The Har-Tru tennis courts are fun to play on. The camp is organized to see how we play the first day, then provides drills to target the group’s specific needs. All of the drills were fun and effective. In fact I returned from my trip to playing USTA matches using what I learned and am winning.
Second time at this resort. The tennis was fantastic. Galina is an energetic and knowledgeable instructor. The hotel campus is beautiful. Only suggestion is to season the food a little better. everything was quite bland and too expensive.
The tennis Director is outstanding and a total blast for a fun tennis weekend.
Galina was a wonderful instructor. She assessed our skills, helped us work on our weaknesses, and elevated our level of play.
Tennis was Superb!! The grounds were beautiful and picturesque. The rooms and property were dated and had plumbing issues.
Galina is a gem. She made our trip incredible and we look forward to returning to work with her. We were impressed with her instruction and her energy. Her drills were high energy and pushed us athletically while focusing on skill development. Keep her for as long as you can! We will definitely refer our friends to take a trip to Santa Barbara!!
Galina Bykova is an outstanding tennis instructor. She is high energy, always positive, hard driving, and really improved our form. I give Galina the highest possible marks and hope to work with her again soon. She is a tremendous asset to Cliff Drysdale!!!
Everything about the property and the tennis program was beyond my expectations…Galina and Val had the most amazing energy at the tennis clinics and our whole team elevated their playing and had so much fun doing so! Just a magical experience- the resort, setting, service and tennis. All just amazing!
I thought this Tennis Camp was fantastic! The instructors were high energy, engaging, and gave great pointers. The resort was stunning and a great location for a Tennis Camp. I would have liked one extra night! Also a late check-out was key when the clinic ended at the same time as check-out. Overall, AMAZING and I can’t wait to attend another one!
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The Cliff Drysdale tennis retreat was the most amazing tennis get a way I have been to. My husband and I loved the pros, facility and all around fun. We plan to go back for another fun weekend. I highly recommend this facility for a great tennis weekend.
Groups are perfect size for instruction. Lots of fun drills and excellent feedback from the teaching pros. Great social atmosphere and perfect weekend getaway.
Beautiful resort and accommodations. Tennis coaches are Phenomenal
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Awesome location on the beach in Santa Barbara. 4 great clay courts. Galina is high energy and very motivational, in addition to possessing an awesome tennis skill set.
Lovely resort, great tennis, fun pros. A really great experience
My husband and I had a wonderful time at the Ritz-Carlton- Bacara in Santa Barbara. This is the second camp we have attended and it did not disappoint. Galina Bykova and her team do an excellent job with the clinics and private lessons. It was a wonderful weekend!
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Great place for rest and relaxation. Attentive staff and the return of the breakfast buffet! Beach was the highlight for me. Tennis was great fun! The pro’s were very good and the drills were on point. Loved the fast pace of the clinic and the progression of instruction and drills. I was disappointed with the wine tasting. We tasted two wines. The weekend was labeled Tennis and Wine, so I assumed there would be more than two wines. Also, it would be great if you include breakfast or maybe offer a discount coupon.
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Loved the tennis trip here with my girlfriends!
Galina and Ted were absolutely fabulous. They had great energy and were good at setting drills and technique and strategy. They kept us moving and did not just sit there and feed balls but really tried to improve our tennis game and pushed us but did not push us to an extreme. I highly recommend these two pro’s and experience. Thank you so much for taking good care of our group.
I truly enjoyed my tennis experience at the Ritz Calton’s Tennis Camp in Santa Barbara. The coaching staff was knowledgeable and encouraging. They were able to help provide small adjustments that made big differences in consistency and placement. The tennis camps were small enough that you were still able to get some focused attention. The private training was great. The only challenge was using courts in free time after camps and lessons to put into place what you worked on.
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I have played 138 Southern California and Central Coast 4.0 men’s singles tourneys since 2007. I am ALWAYS looking for professional staff to make improvements in my competitive tennis strategies. The Bacara staff, perform this with the result of making me a better tourney player. Staff focus is to get student feedback on improvements areas and work towards that improvement goal. I have improved my volleys, baseline hitting, approach shots, and improved percentage play for a variety of shots. Next few lessons will focus on serves and return of serves. I have to been to this clinic 8 times since Oct 2020. I will continue this great priced Clinic and Private Lesson Package deals at least 4 times a year. A great Central Coast Resource for Tennis improvements and Focused Fun during the clinics.
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