The Ritz-Carlton Spa Bacara, Santa Barbara

This is the spa wing of The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, a large luxury resort facility set in Goleta just outside Santa Barbara. At 42,000 square feet, it's built around an adults-only swimming pool, a redwood sauna, a eucalyptus steam room, a cold plunge pool, fireside lounges and a rooftop terrace, plus separate men's and women's lounges.

Treatment offerings cover the standard luxury-spa menu: massages (including couples massages), facials, body scrubs, manicures and pedicures, scalp and hair treatments, and paraffin hand treatments. Men's services are specifically called out, and there's a dedicated fitness center with cardio and strength equipment, plus fitness classes and counseling for those who want to work out as well as unwind.

The spa is part of a larger resort that includes three pools (the spa's own adults-only pool is separate from the Main Pool and Oval Pool), cabana rentals, a fitness center, and proximity to Sandpiper Golf Course, Haskell's Beach and Santa Ynez wine country. Couples treatments and family-friendly resort activities (including a kids' program on weekends) mean the property caters to a wide range of visitors, even though the spa pool itself is adults-only.

It's open daily from 8:30am to 6pm. Languages spoken include English and German. Given the price tier, expect luxury-resort rates; check directly for day-pass pricing and treatment costs since none are published here. Access is via day pass or as a hotel guest, so non-guests should confirm availability before planning a visit.