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.
I had the pleasure of taking two private lessons with Nick Loudermilk during a visit to Santa Barbara, and I couldn’t recommend him more highly. Nick has a genuine passion for tennis that comes through immediately, and he has a real gift for making the most of limited time together. Rather than overwhelming me with information, he gave me targeted, actionable feedback I could actually implement within our short time working together — which is not easy to do.
His lessons are thoughtfully customized: efficient, impactful, and enjoyable. He puts care into understanding each player and tailoring his approach accordingly. And, the beachside hard-tru courts makes the experience even better!
SH
I had the most amazing experience and training with Nick Louderman! I didn’t plan on playing tennis during my vacation, but I took a chance and made a 1on1 reservation.
I have had many tennis clinics and coaches but Nick exceeded their instruction with his patience, his energy, his knowledge of the game, and his ability to fine tune my level of play!
I left the session feeling empowered and had a renewed love for the games technique and on-court energy.
Take the time to stop by the tennis center while at visiting the Ritz – Bacara!
JD
The hotel was beautiful but the tennis was amazing. I took 3 lessons and 3 clinics/cardio tennis with Nick and I got great tips, met fun players and packed a lot of tennis into 31/2 days. I will definitely be back for more lessons from Nick.
RB
I had the chance to take a lesson from Mick while visiting Santa Barbara and staying at the Ritz. His lesson was excellent and caused me to look for the slightest opening in my agenda to take another one – which I did. Super chill, but super effective, Nick and his lessons were a highlight of my stay.
GW
We spent last Memorial Weekend at Ritz Carlton Bacara and we were so fortunate to connect with Nick before our stay to set up some private lessons for our 12 year old son. The tennis facilities were great (our first time playing on clay courts). Nick was a fantastic coach. He customized a lesson play for my son and gave practical tips that my son could take away and improve his game. My son ended up having 3 consecutive days of private lessons. He really enjoyed it.
It’s already paid off as my son had a great tournament today.
Thanks Nick!!
AS
Did a private one hour lesson, followed by a 3.5+ 90-minute live ball clinic with Nick. Nick has excellent energy on-court. Drills were varied and perfectly suited to our level. Instruction was light but impactful. Highly recommend. This is a gem of a tennis facility hidden in plain sight. We will be back.
JS
My husband and I had a great 90 minute private lesson with Nick. He totally customized everything we wanted to work on and I feel ready to put some new skills into action when I return home. He’s so friendly and positive – it was a great morning in a beautiful setting.
MM
Nick was amazing. I am not an avid player and I am not great. Nick was a super fun and great instructor. Our group had so much fun. We were laughing and moving a ton. We all want Nick to come teach us at home. We had a great time and then jumped in the pool!
VF
So much fun taking the weekly classes with Nick. Improving week over week alongside fellow beginners has been so rewarding!
JS
I love this tennis camp experience at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara! This was my second time attending. I love the property and the atmosphere surrounded by the beautiful beach. Most of all, I love Cliff Drysdale’s staff who put on this event, they are well-trained and wonderful people. The courts have a soft dirt surface, which is another great experience. I give this tennis camp and hotel experience an A+++!
JS
We had a great tennis and wine weekend with Nick and the crew. It was both fun and instructional. Perfect girls’ weekend. I highly recommend it.
MF
The experience at Bacara was fantastic! Nick helped to organize a dedicated private lesson focused on my unique needs prior to arrival and then followed it up with two group lessons that were also aimed at continuing those themes. The courts were beautiful, nestled a short walk from the resort along a nature path. We will absolutely be back for more!
KC
Bacara is a beautiful resort with Har- Tru tennis courts just steps to the beach. Tennis director Nick Loudermilk will help you raise your game and have fun doing it! The resort has a beautiful spa and 3 pools to enjoy as well as great bar and restaurants with plenty of activities to enjoy.
AW
I attended the tennis and wine weekend in Santa Barbara. The accommodations were spectacular! Can’t beat the quality of the Ritz. The tennis courts were clay which made it much gentler on the body with many days of practice in a row. Nick and the team ran the sessions like clockwork with lots of effective and direct feedback to tune up your technique. I appreciated the amount of time we spent on offensive shots – definitely helping my game!
LK
I did the Tennis and Wine Weekend with Cliff Drysdale at Bacara. It was such a fun experience. The coaches were amazing. I really feel like my game improved, even with only a few days of instruction. The play was fun, with some friendly competition and lots of great tips. Bacara is a beautiful resort! I also really enjoyed the times I wasn’t playing tennis – great food, we took E-bikes into Goleta, time by the pool. Tennis tourism is my new thing. Thanks so much to all the coaches for making the weekend so amazing!
TA
Instruction at the Bacara courts was excellent. Nick instantly zeroed in on my weakness and gave me understandable and digestible cues to improve my game. The courts are beautiful, people friendly, and the location is unmatched. Highly recommend .
SC
Amazing courts at the Bacara, so close to the ocean that you can hear the lull of the waves while you play! Instruction was top notch by Coach Ryan, he personalized the lesson to what I was looking for and I am already seeing improvements in my game.
MM
Galina was great! super consistent and made sure i got the workout i requested.
MD
Galina is fabulous! Always so much fun in her classes and she always makes sure I’m improving my technique.
CS
Fun and competitive tennis drills. Definitely a good choice for a tennis team retreat!!
SC
Fun tennis drills at the Ritz!
JH
Spicey Fun
KW
We had a ladies weekend in Santa Barbara and six of us drilled on two different days. Galina was full of positive energy and a motivating coach! We had a great time and hit lot of balls. She must have ordered the beautiful weather for us too!
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123 Reviews on “The Ritz-Carlton, Bacara”
I had the pleasure of taking two private lessons with Nick Loudermilk during a visit to Santa Barbara, and I couldn’t recommend him more highly. Nick has a genuine passion for tennis that comes through immediately, and he has a real gift for making the most of limited time together. Rather than overwhelming me with information, he gave me targeted, actionable feedback I could actually implement within our short time working together — which is not easy to do.
His lessons are thoughtfully customized: efficient, impactful, and enjoyable. He puts care into understanding each player and tailoring his approach accordingly. And, the beachside hard-tru courts makes the experience even better!
I had the most amazing experience and training with Nick Louderman! I didn’t plan on playing tennis during my vacation, but I took a chance and made a 1on1 reservation.
I have had many tennis clinics and coaches but Nick exceeded their instruction with his patience, his energy, his knowledge of the game, and his ability to fine tune my level of play!
I left the session feeling empowered and had a renewed love for the games technique and on-court energy.
Take the time to stop by the tennis center while at visiting the Ritz – Bacara!
The hotel was beautiful but the tennis was amazing. I took 3 lessons and 3 clinics/cardio tennis with Nick and I got great tips, met fun players and packed a lot of tennis into 31/2 days. I will definitely be back for more lessons from Nick.
I had the chance to take a lesson from Mick while visiting Santa Barbara and staying at the Ritz. His lesson was excellent and caused me to look for the slightest opening in my agenda to take another one – which I did. Super chill, but super effective, Nick and his lessons were a highlight of my stay.
We spent last Memorial Weekend at Ritz Carlton Bacara and we were so fortunate to connect with Nick before our stay to set up some private lessons for our 12 year old son. The tennis facilities were great (our first time playing on clay courts). Nick was a fantastic coach. He customized a lesson play for my son and gave practical tips that my son could take away and improve his game. My son ended up having 3 consecutive days of private lessons. He really enjoyed it.
It’s already paid off as my son had a great tournament today.
Thanks Nick!!
Did a private one hour lesson, followed by a 3.5+ 90-minute live ball clinic with Nick. Nick has excellent energy on-court. Drills were varied and perfectly suited to our level. Instruction was light but impactful. Highly recommend. This is a gem of a tennis facility hidden in plain sight. We will be back.
My husband and I had a great 90 minute private lesson with Nick. He totally customized everything we wanted to work on and I feel ready to put some new skills into action when I return home. He’s so friendly and positive – it was a great morning in a beautiful setting.
Nick was amazing. I am not an avid player and I am not great. Nick was a super fun and great instructor. Our group had so much fun. We were laughing and moving a ton. We all want Nick to come teach us at home. We had a great time and then jumped in the pool!
So much fun taking the weekly classes with Nick. Improving week over week alongside fellow beginners has been so rewarding!
I love this tennis camp experience at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara! This was my second time attending. I love the property and the atmosphere surrounded by the beautiful beach. Most of all, I love Cliff Drysdale’s staff who put on this event, they are well-trained and wonderful people. The courts have a soft dirt surface, which is another great experience. I give this tennis camp and hotel experience an A+++!
We had a great tennis and wine weekend with Nick and the crew. It was both fun and instructional. Perfect girls’ weekend. I highly recommend it.
The experience at Bacara was fantastic! Nick helped to organize a dedicated private lesson focused on my unique needs prior to arrival and then followed it up with two group lessons that were also aimed at continuing those themes. The courts were beautiful, nestled a short walk from the resort along a nature path. We will absolutely be back for more!
Bacara is a beautiful resort with Har- Tru tennis courts just steps to the beach. Tennis director Nick Loudermilk will help you raise your game and have fun doing it! The resort has a beautiful spa and 3 pools to enjoy as well as great bar and restaurants with plenty of activities to enjoy.
I attended the tennis and wine weekend in Santa Barbara. The accommodations were spectacular! Can’t beat the quality of the Ritz. The tennis courts were clay which made it much gentler on the body with many days of practice in a row. Nick and the team ran the sessions like clockwork with lots of effective and direct feedback to tune up your technique. I appreciated the amount of time we spent on offensive shots – definitely helping my game!
I did the Tennis and Wine Weekend with Cliff Drysdale at Bacara. It was such a fun experience. The coaches were amazing. I really feel like my game improved, even with only a few days of instruction. The play was fun, with some friendly competition and lots of great tips. Bacara is a beautiful resort! I also really enjoyed the times I wasn’t playing tennis – great food, we took E-bikes into Goleta, time by the pool. Tennis tourism is my new thing. Thanks so much to all the coaches for making the weekend so amazing!
Instruction at the Bacara courts was excellent. Nick instantly zeroed in on my weakness and gave me understandable and digestible cues to improve my game. The courts are beautiful, people friendly, and the location is unmatched. Highly recommend .
Amazing courts at the Bacara, so close to the ocean that you can hear the lull of the waves while you play! Instruction was top notch by Coach Ryan, he personalized the lesson to what I was looking for and I am already seeing improvements in my game.
Galina was great! super consistent and made sure i got the workout i requested.
Galina is fabulous! Always so much fun in her classes and she always makes sure I’m improving my technique.
Fun and competitive tennis drills. Definitely a good choice for a tennis team retreat!!
Fun tennis drills at the Ritz!
Spicey Fun
We had a ladies weekend in Santa Barbara and six of us drilled on two different days. Galina was full of positive energy and a motivating coach! We had a great time and hit lot of balls. She must have ordered the beautiful weather for us too!