There is a certain breed of tennis player who cannot be stopped by the weather, and the debate over winter tennis in Florida vs. summer tennis in New England resorts is one they live rather than argue.
From the prominent Coachella Valley to the breezy coastlines of San Diego and Santa Barbara, this guide covers seven standout properties that have made California one of the most celebrated tennis destinations in the world.
There is a certain breed of tennis player who cannot be stopped by the weather, and the debate over winter tennis in Florida vs. summer tennis in New England resorts is one they live rather than argue.
From the prominent Coachella Valley to the breezy coastlines of San Diego and Santa Barbara, this guide covers seven standout properties that have made California one of the most celebrated tennis destinations in the world.
This guide covers six padel resorts in Italy, from a family-friendly all-inclusive village on the Calabrian coast to a five-star lakeside retreat in Veneto.Â
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. Nick Loudermilk directs the programming. Originally from California, Nick Loudermilk is an RSPA Elite Professional with more than 25 years of experience in the racquets industry. Known for his energy, passion and ability to connect with players of all levels, Nick specializes in doubles strategy, stroke development, USTA team practices, junior programming and social events.
Nick joins The Ritz-Carlton Bacara from The Club at Old Hawthorne in Missouri, where he spent seven years as Director of Racquets, building one of the Midwest’s premier programs. A former #1 singles and doubles player at Bakersfield College, Nick also competed professionally in pickleball, earning more than 20 gold medals at the open level. Nick holds certifications from the RSPA, PPR, IPTPA, CRSE and DCA.
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. Nick Loudermilk directs the programing. Originally from California, Nick Loudermilk is an RSPA Elite Professional with more than 25 years of experience in the racquets industry. Known for his energy, passion and ability to connect with players of all levels, Nick specializes in doubles strategy, stroke development, USTA team practices, junior programming and social events.
Nick joins The Ritz-Carlton Bacara from The Club at Old Hawthorne in Missouri, where he spent seven years as Director of Racquets, building one of the Midwest’s premier programs. A former #1 singles and doubles player at Bakersfield College, Nick also competed professionally in pickleball, earning more than 20 gold medals at the open level. Nick holds certifications from the RSPA, PPR, IPTPA, CRSE and DCA.
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.
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
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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
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KB
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
NULL
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.
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123 Reviews on “The Ritz-Carlton, Bacara”
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!
NULL
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!
NULL
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!
NULL
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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
NULL
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!
NULL
NULL
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.
NULL
NULL
NULL
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.
NULL
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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