Ritz-Carlton's Bacara is a 2-hour drive north from Los Angeles or a short hop from anywhere via the Santa Barbara Airport. The resort is a favorite of Hollywood “week-enders” and discerning vacationers seeking relaxation and renewal in an elegant setting of natural beauty.

Sun-drenched beach & panoramic Pacific views. The American Riviera. Understated elegance, natural beauty, idyllic weather. Ritz-Carlton Bacara's 78-acre Mediterranean village. Santa Ynez mountains backdrop. Pristine bluffs overlooking a 2-mile golden-sands beach. Neighboring wineries memorialized in "Sideways." Not-so-secret Montecito, trails and gardens. Signature golf & tennis, luxurious spa. The glamour of Hollywood's Golden Age.

Renaissance Weekend is comprised of hundreds of programs and shared meals in which participants with in-depth knowledge reflect off-the-record on a wide variety of current issues. Lively discussion by all participants is encouraged, and the tone is decidedly relaxed.

Each afternoon is set aside for recreation, including sports, seaside activities, relaxation and exploring Santa Barbara and the surrounding area. Two meals "on-your-own" — Saturday dinner and Sunday lunch — allow participants to sample local restaurants and dine with fellow participants and new friends, if they choose.

Program

Participants' program assignments are based on information provided on the Participant Profiles page of their online registration, which should be completed and saved before you submit your registration. Please email the Renaissance Weekend team with any changes that have been made to your Participant Profile after your registration is confirmed and before we distribute the Tentative Program. 

In early February, the Tentative Program and other materials will be sent to each registered party's lead participant, who is asked to share it with other members of his/her party.

Registration opens on Thursday, February 13 at 4:00 P.M. at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara where participants pick up their materials and the Final Program, and check in separately with the resort.  The first program begins at 6:00 P.M. that evening at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara.

Early arrivals are invited to help with Registration and to notify the Renaissance Weekend staff of their availability.

The program ends by 11 a.m. on Monday, February 17.

Meals

Conversation over meals is an important part of the Weekend, and all guests are expected to participate in the Common Meals. Only children under three are not charged for Common Meals. The "on-your-own" meals, Saturday dinner and Sunday lunch, are designed to facilitate participants' enjoyment of Santa Barbara and surroundings. Meals & Meeting Services Fees may not be reduced for early departures or absences from meals.

Sports & Recreational Activities

Time will be set aside for afternoon recreation.  But participants are encouraged to arrive early or extend your stay to explore the area.  If you decide to do so, contact the Ritz-Carlton's Concierge for more information and reservations (805-968-0100).  If extending your stay beyond the specific Renaissance program days, please check lodging availability with BOTH Renaissance Weekend and the Ritz-Carlton and, as always, request "Renaissance Weekend Group Reservations" to secure special rates.

Some of the Ritz-Carlton's guests never leave the property:  relishing the gardens, scenery and award-winning facilities, star-gazing on terraces, watching films in the private screening room.   Others arrange whale-watching excursions or helicopter over the Channel Islands National Park.

Many ride horses, winds or waves – surfing, kayaking, paragliding, and stand-up paddling.  Mountain and road biking adventures are popular, too.  And the historic Santa Barbara Mission & Courthouse, Botanic Gardens, Reagan Ranch, Montecito Estates, Lake Cachuma, and pristine Gaviota coastline are fascinating afternoon attractions.  (For activities, visit the Ritz-Carlton's website.)

As “Sideways”’ fans well know, this is one of America’s most revered wine regions.  Within 40 miles from Bacara are Solvang, Happy Canyon, Santa Rita Hills, Chumash Reservation, Los Olivos, and 100 other wineries, as well as some of the nation’s top culinary talent.  Meander along the scenic backroads.  Plan on-your-own or organized tours for wine-tastings and gourmet picnics.

Downtown Santa Barbara itself warrants a visit.   Romantic Spanish-style courtyards, winding paseos, and gently flowing fountains are dotted with exquisite tropical flowers.  Fashionable shopping includes antique shops, boutiques, and specialty stores, as well as fine restaurants and galleries.  (See www.SantaBarbaraCa.com)

Transportation & Rental Cars 

Just 10 minutes from the Santa Barbara Municipal Airport, the Ritz-Carlton Bacara Resort is approximately 90 miles north of Los Angeles (120 minutes by car) or three hours from LA via the scenic Amtrak Surfliner; it is approximately a five-hour drive from San Francisco.

A rental car is strongly recommended so you will have the opportunity to explore Santa Barbara and the surrounding area.  The Ritz-Carlton Bacara Resort provides valet parking for all vehicles. Self-parking is not available. There is a parking charge of $25 for each vehicle parked overnight (reduced from the normal guest rate of $70/night).  Day parking for those staying elsewhere is available for $20/day.  

For their own enjoyment, participants are encouraged to arrive early or stay past February 17 to explore the area in a more relaxed way. Stated room rates and privileges apply to stays extended beyond the Weekend dates, subject to certain limitations and availability. Once hotel reservation confirmation is received, all lodging changes should be communicated directly with the hotel.

Participants arriving after 7:00 P.M. on Thursday or departing before 9:00 A.M. on Monday are requested to advise Renaissance Weekend staff. The Ritz-Carlton's concierge can assist with any transportation needs.

All Registration and Meals & Meeting Services Fees will be refunded — less a $250/party processing fee — for cancellations received by Renaissance Weekend in writing via e-mail, fax, or mail, sixty days in advance of the first night of the Weekend. No refund is available for cancellations communicated less than fourteen days in advance. Cancellations received in the intervening period are eligible for 50% refunds. However, fees paid may be applied towards any of the three immediately following Renaissance Weekends, subject to a $100/party transfer fee, if space remains and such notice is received.

Meals & Meeting Services Fees may not be reduced for absences from meals.

Lodging cancellations are handled directly by your hotel subject to its specific policies. Be sure also to advise Renaissance Weekend of cancellation.

Stunning views, luxurious accommodations and stylish service are the hallmarks of Ritz-Carlton Bacara.  Spacious guestrooms feature private balconies or patios and sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and Santa Ynez mountains.   Its spa is legendary; three near-by golf courses are world-class; and tennis courts, a wellness center, and paths through the accompanying ranch invite fitness and recreation.  The Beach Run trail has dazzling ocean views; and hiking trails – appropriate to both nature walks and athletic work-outs – extend beyond the resort.  

Renaissance has a limited amount of rooms secured at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara, which are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.  Rooms at the group rate start at $415 and may be reserved during registration for the Presidents' Day Weekend through the Renaissance Weekend website. You may also call reservations (844-252-9422) , but please note that you must be fully registered for the Presidents' Day R/W in order to reserve a room at the group rate.

Additional room blocks and lodging options are available at nearby hotels.  Please note the Bacara Resort & Spa provides valet parking for all vehicles. Self parking is not available. There is a parking charge of $25 for each vehicle parked overnight (reduced from the normal guest rate of $70/night).  Day parking for those staying elsewhere is available for $20/day.  

• Courtyard by Marriott, Santa Barbara Goleta - Renaissance has secured an overflow room block at the nearby Courtyard Marriott, just an 8-minute drive from the Bacara. To reserve a room at the group rate, please use this link or call reservations (805-968-0500) and reference "Renaissance Weekend" to get the group rate of $259/night.
• Hilton Garden Inn - Located 3.5 miles, an 8-minute drive, from the Bacara with rooms starting at $279/night. (Renaissance Weekend does not have a block of rooms at Hilton Garden Inn Santa Barbara/Goleta, but recommends the property).
• Hampton Inn - Located 6 miles, a 10-minute drive, from the Bacara with rooms starting at $274/night. (Renaissance does not have a block of rooms at Hampton Inn Santa Barbara/Goleta, but recommends the property).

 Santa Barbara temperatures in February can range from the 50's to the mid 70's. Check weather reports shortly in advance of the Weekend.

Dress is informal, resort casual, during the Weekend. Jeans are acceptable for day-time programs. Men typically wear jackets for dinners.

*Please email info@renwkd.org before registering to confirm that Camp Renaissance will be available in Santa Barbara.*

Camp Renaissance®, Teens & College Students

Camp Renaissance® — an active program tailored for children ages 3-12 — typically includes presentations by fascinating adult participants, hands-on experiments, indoor and outdoor games, nature walks, musical performances, story-telling, and arts-&-crafts projects. These activities are supervised by the Camp Renaissance Counselors, with involvement from adult Renaissance participants whose experiences are of interest to young people. Camp Renaissance runs concurrently with the adult program and does not provide full-time child care.

Young people are welcome at all functions. Most teens and college students participate in the Weekend's scheduled program. In addition, they often have designated gathering places, assigned programs, and their own activities and discussions. Teens and college students are usually placed on panels related to their interests, as indicated on their Participant Profile.

College students integrate themselves into the scheduled program. Many form strong bonds and even lifetime friendships during evening social events and programs planned specifically for them.

Parents are expected to oversee their sons' and daughters’ comings and goings throughout the Weekend. Renaissance Institute and Renaissance Weekend, and its staff, assume no liability regarding children or teens.

There is no organized program or child care provided for children under the age of three. Younger children are welcome at Camp Renaissance programs when accompanied by a parent or other responsible adult. Participants should make arrangements for babysitters at least three weeks prior to arrival at the Weekend by phoning the Monterey Plaza Hotel concierge for assistance. To maximize their enjoyment of the program, families with very young children are encouraged to bring a baby-sitter or au pair. Although there is no Registration Fee for babysitters/au pairs, they must register for meals at the children's rate, attend solely for child care, and, if practical, may assist periodically with Camp Renaissance. Baby-sitters/au pairs are free to attend programs and panel discussions designed specifically for Camp Renaissance participants.

Camp & Teens Programs are organized at all New Year's and most of the other Weekends.  On the rare occasions when there are few registrants in these age groups at the smaller Weekends, no such specific programs may be organized; and such young people, as always, are welcome at all sessions. Confirmation of Camp and Teens Programs, available six weeks before any Weekend, may be secured through info@RenWkd.org. 

Registration Fee

Adults (22 and older)	$1,450/person
Youths (ages 3 - 21)	$400/person

(Youth Registration Fee applies only to children or guests, ages 3-21, of invited adults.)

Meeting Services, Meals & Special Events Fee

Adults (13 and older)	$1,450/person
Kids (ages 3-12)	$400/person