We had a fantastic time at Circle Bar B. The staff were very warm and accommodating. The food was great. This is a wonderful resort for adults and kids alike. You can find a quiet space if you want it, or enjoy the swimming pool, game room and horseback riding. The game room has a pool table, ping pong, etc. There aren't a lot of rules, which is great for the whole family. Kids can run free as it is safe and spacious. They can go down to the stables anytime and visit the horses. The pool is open 24/7. My 10 year old grandson had a blast and met so many other kids. One area for improvement is the carpeting in the room. It was quite stained. I'm sure they will replace it soon. The décor is western style, really cute, with good quality furniture. Liked it a lot. We will definitely be going back. read more

Circle Bar B is, as David O notes, a dude ranch. It is quiet, nicely removed from the beaten path (believe me the road getting there is an adventure). I had zero cellular reception while there (which was a plus to me). It is a great place to go to "get away". We stayed in a private cabin which was cosy and had a wood burning stove for heat. All of your meals are included and the food is ok, not spectacular. There's a nice little pool and jacuzzi and you can relax on the porch of your cabin with a book. It is also possible to take a nice little horseback ride. Be honest with them about your level of experience and they will put you on the right horse for you. My girlfriend loved it. I'm sure we will be back. read more

This place is AMAZING!! The horse back rides are great (have been there twice now). The people I have taken with me have never ridden a horse and that wasn't not an issue during this trail. The guides have been exceptional both times! Will definitely be going back when I am in the area again. read more

Super disappointed in this establishment. We booked the 4 hour tour over a month in advance. 2 days before I receive an email saying they are unable to do the 4 hour tour because of the heat. (We were scheduled for a morning tour, top temp would be 75 degrees - I'm not an avid horse rider - however, I have rode horses close to 50 times over the past 25 years, several times well over 85+ degrees, with no issues). In the email, they stated we could sign up for a 2 hour tour instead. We responded saying we would still love to do something, and asked for a time. We never received a response. read more

My sisters and I just spent another weekend at the ranch recently, for the third time in about eight years. It's lovely, peaceful, and so very friendly. The management is kind and responsive and they do whatever they can to make their guests comfortable and happy. Highly recommend. Good for couples, kids, families, or friends. It's kinda got it all! read more

This place was amazing! We went horseback riding and the staff down at the stables were very nice and helpful! We will come back and try their accommodations as well. Hour and a half ride was pretty cool. Up and down plenty of hills while the guide was very knowledgeable of the area and it's history. I recommend coming here! read more

What an amazing place to celebrate my nephew's wedding. Having the wedding party, family, and friends stay the weekend together at this beautiful venue made it very special. There are various cottages and cabins under oak trees across the property. Our "Creekside Cabin" was the perfect size for 3 of us, but 4 would have fit fine. The main lodge ties the property together. It has a large fireplace, couches and chairs, and a large bar. There is also a game room with a ping-pong table, pool table, and Foosball. The dinners were spectacular, Santa Maria tri-tip with all the fixings one night, and an authentic Mexican meal on the wedding night. The staff is very friendly, from the housekeepers, servers, and bartenders right up to the owners, Henry and Kathy. They went out of their way to make us feel welcome. While TV and wifi are available I really enjoyed spending time with my family and friends without technology. I am looking forward to going back. read more

My friend and I did the girlfriend getaway package for her birthday last weekend and it was a fun and unbelievable experience. The views are amazing, the staff and owners are down to earth and so welcoming, the food which was included in our stay was to die for, the cabin was so cozy and roomy and you just really got what you paid for and then some in this package. We were able to do facials which was also included and the esthetician really knew her stuff and the complimentary bottle of wine and cheese and cracker plate was the icing on the cake. We also added an 1 1/2 hour horseback ride and that is a reason in itself to go check this place out. The scenic views of the canyon and creeks and the ocean is beautiful! Our guide was great, I would and have already recommended this place to so many people. Definitely a fun experience and can't wait to be back! read more

I took my fiancee here for her birthday. We were looking for a place to unwind and re-charge and that is exactly what we got at Circle Bar B. The food was good. Their hospitality was warm and genuine, and they were generous with the alcohol portions. I recommend the margaritas. We booked the horse lover's package and stayed at the creekside cottage. The place was serene and beautiful. The bed and the furniture were comfortable, and the hardwood flooring made the cottage feel very warm. We opened all the windows and had the most pleasant nap, as we heard sounds of nature. The horse trail was simply beautiful. read more

Wonderful experience horseback riding here! All the staff were incredibly welcoming and friendly! The trail was beautiful and not at all intimidating for a novice rider. Thank you Circle Bar B! read more

Had a fantastic day on the trails. The cowboys knew how to saddle up our group of 5 and take us on a ride of breathtaking views. With a variety of riding experience in the group it was perfect for each one of us. It was an easy ride. Other who didn't want to ride were able to sit at the bar or enjoy the outside patio area. It is a place you will want to go back to. read more

We just had our wedding at Circle Bar B (about 100 guests) and we couldn't have asked for a more perfect day! Henry and Kathy went above and beyond to make our wedding perfect for us and our family and friends! We were able to stay at the ranch in the cute guest rooms from Thursday until Sunday, and had most of our family join us Friday and Saturday night as well. The location is absolutely beautiful and many of our guests were able to take advantage of the horse back riding as well! This is the perfect location if you are looking for something private and personal. We loved how comfortable the staff made us and our guests feel. And the food- THE BEST. I cannot recommend this place enough for weddings, family gatherings, or just a weekend away. Thank you so much Circle Bar B! read more

How did I grow up 45 minutes from here and never know about this place? I love the fact that I did not have to travel far to feel like a was a million miles away. It is beautiful here. The owners were professional, organized, tidy, and kind. The breakfasts and dinners were delicious. Lunches are a typical sack type, which gave us a chance to go into Santa Barbara for a few hours. We went to the dinner show and on a horseback ride. Both activities were perfect for a quick retreat from the " real world." It was a perfect weekend! read more

Beautiful setting, amazing hospitality! You won't be disappointed!

This was the perfect location for our wedding. We got to spend the entire weekend away from it all with our closest friends and family. I loved having so many of our guests be able to stay on the property. It was a beautiful venue and the staff was extremely friendly. The food was also amazing! We did a tri-tip rehearsal dinner and Mexican buffet for our wedding and it was so delicious! The Mexican buffet was really the best! It was nice to be able to take over the entire ranch for the weekend - leaving ample time for set up and clean up. They also had really great recommendations on what vendors to work with. I feel so lucky to have found Circle Bar B! read more

We took a 2hr ride at this ranch and it was amazing. Beautiful surroundings. With all the rain recently the streams had water in them and various waterfalls. Truly beautiful. Guide was polite and helpful. Would highly recommend this event. read more

This was the venue of our dreams. From the beginning we wanted a place where our guests, many of whom were traveling very long distances, could congregate over the course of the weekend and relax. Circle Bar B provided that, in the most idyllic setting we could imagine. The wedding ceremony and reception were magical - they have an amazing set-up that allowed us to host 120 people comfortably, with great food and then a super fun dance party afterwards, with a live band who could play until midnight. They were incredibly flexible as we designed the event we wanted, and helped everything feel very personal. This is not a wedding factory kind of venue - you have to think about what you want and bring those ideas to life, but they give you the backdrop and support to help execute on your vision. Also the tri-tip is really as good as advertised, a definite must for one of the dinners! read more

This place was amazing. Friendly staff and well kept facility. Stayed in the private cabin and loved it! The wood burning fire was perfect. Their horses are so well kept and healthy! They really have a great place!!! They should be very proud. read more

I stayed here for a wedding. I booked two nights and only stayed one. Upon arrival a nice employee showed me around the ranch, which is a beautiful setting, and then to my cabin. The cabin itself was old and small, but nice. One thing to note is the cabins do not have WiFi, and no one gets cellular reception. The cabin had 2 bedrooms and I was surprised that both bedrooms were already occupied by couples. The room they had charged me for was the living room (surprise!) with a fold-out couch, which was comfortable enough. Well I figured I would roll with it and have a goodtime with the wedding. That night, the night prior to the wedding, I hardly slept due to foot traffic from the four other people occupying the small cottage as they would walk through the living room, (people going to the bathroom, showering, returning from the bar, going outside for a cig, in and out of their room etc.). Next morning, sleepy me politely explained to a worker that my only real problem was that I couldn't sleep well on a couch in a high foot-traffic area, and since there were no real rooms available to put me in, that I would like to cancel the next night and actually sleep else-were. At this point the employee would not engage in further conversation and would only snip "no refunds - no cancelations! company policy! nothing we can do! Talk to the owner!" The owner didn't listen to a word and immediately talked over me in a very irritated tone with the same generic line "no refunds - no cancelations! company policy! nothing we can do!". Seemingly great place. The staff and owner were very unprofessional. read more

My fiance and I loved this place. We will definitely be staying here in the future. The staff was so gracious and accommodating and we were greatly appreciative of their services. It was a pleasure to stay in a cabin that had no internet, no phone service, and no television. If you want to get out from everyday life, this is the place to go. One can get away and relax and be surrounded by very pleasant people. I can't say enough wonderful things about this place and its staff. I was truly amazed :) read more

We had a great family vacation at this secluded ranch. This is a family owned and operated business. They were unbelievably nice and welcoming. The food was top notch - buffet style, but never tasted as if it was prepared in bulk Chef Ruben prepared excellent meals. My wife and daughter loved the horses. The cowboys leading the rides were hilarious yet professional. I highly recommend Circle Bar B. read more

The beautiful setting, the accommodations and the peace and quiet would give Circle Bar B 4 stars without breaking a sweat. The fifth star is for: 1. The Staff - really friendly owners and staff, generations of being on this ranch gives them a down home vibe that can't be matched by a new B&B. 2. The cowboy staff - really an interesting crew, from young bucks to old hands, all are knowledgeable and friendly - good to ride with, all for different reasons. 3. The horses - well cared for and a good variety to accommodate all levels of riders. Loved my draft-cross, a real Cadillac tractor in the mountains and just a good horse - responded well when asked. My wife liked hers too. 4. The food - generous portions of down home cooking, including tri-tip and plenty of fresh vegetables. We don't eat like this at home, but after a 4 hour trail ride, a big old hand crafted sandwich for lunch seemed just the thing. Three meals a day, and they even packed a lunch for us on our check out day. Who does that? We ate it at the beach on the way home and recalled the good time we had at the ranch. 5. The trails - you get some real moments, going through river beds and up and down mountains, but never dangerous, just interesting and the views - we saw all four Channel Islands from the lookout, the ocean and land below - gorgeous. 6. The fun - this was the part I was not expecting. To sit with the other guests at meals, something I usually don't relish at a B&B, was a joy here. Nothing but interesting characters, each one contributing to the laughter and good times. Try the hot tub after a long trail ride, we did it on full moon night - man, you just can't beat that. Love horses, trail riding, or just want to get out of the world for a spell? This is the place. read more

Took the dawn 90 minute ride with my wife. We own 4 horses ourselves and were very impressed with their stock. It was end of high season and the horses were obviously well fed. No ribs showing in this group. Lots of draft crosses in every color imaginable. Draft crosses deliver a great trail ride for all size riders and the two we had were no exception. Our wrangler, Randy, was entertaining and informative. Ended up we had 2 full hours on the horses and a great time. We ride wherever we vacation and this was our best experience to date. Jack the lead wrangler was also very nice and let us pick our horses. He explained the behavior habits of each and made the process easy. Highly recommend the off season riding. No crowds, private guided trip and cooler weather!! We will be back. read more

We just came back from our very first visit here and we are already making it a plan to go again next year. The staff is amazing and the scenery and accommodations are exactly as pictured online. I couldn't say enough great things about the Circle Bar B Ranch. It is a very relaxing environment and the removal of everyday conveniences like cell phones and television are not missed one bit. You eat in the great room with other guests and besides the wonderful food, you also enjoy great conversations that go otherwise missed by being so plugged in. For anyone even remotely considering staying here, please do it. Your relationship will thank you read more

What a great little oasis in the mountains above Santa Barbara - we just stayed here for a wedding and loved the setting, the food, and the friendly staff. The pool is awesome too! And there's good hiking and horse-back riding if you feel so inclined. Our room was its own cute cabin with comfy king bed and bath and good closet space. No TV, but that was a good thing. Lots of stuffed animal heads in the hunting-lodge style lounge, with bar. Glassy eyes of deer, bear, etc... staring down at you. Also a game room, but we didn't use it because the setting of this ranch is so awesome we hiked instead. Cute horses in stable and a dog to pet if you're lucky. Really friendly owners Henry and Kathy -- make everything so easy, along with the rest of the staff. We needed an iron and poof there was an iron. All questions answered with a smile. Due to it being 2016, we wished there was WIFI in the room, especially since there's no cell service in the canyon. Or perhaps a room-to-room phone to check on your friends' hangover in the next cabin. WIFI is available in the lounge area. Thirsty ants omnipresent in bathroom, but that's admittedly hard to avoid. Only "hair and body wash" available to clean yourself with, so bring your fancy personal products like conditioner etc... Our room had no AC (some rooms do have it) -- we had a giant fan the churned up a mini hurricane to keep us cool, dry, and wind-blown all night long. It was a bit hard to regulate the temp with that. Oh and the room gets mighty bright in the morning with no way to block out el sol; that was no prob either because we got up with the sun but if you want to sleep in, bring an eye shade thing. Parking is tight; the nearest store is far away and the shower water smells a little sulfur-y. These are nit-picks, agreed, but it doesn't hurt to know. All in all a great weekend getaway and would def go back. Thanks Kathy and Henry! Y'all are awesome. read more

I have been meaning to review this place for quite some time now. My now husband, brought me here to propose! The whole thing was a complete surprise. When we drove up to the property it was gorgeous. You really feel like you are away. The surrounding area is absolutely beautiful. We ventured on the horseback ride which was fabulous. The views were breathtaking and the guides were fun and knowledgeable. All of the meals are in a somewhat "cafeteria" setting. Not the look of it, but eating with everyone else staying at the place and at the same times. The food was all delicious. Great cooks and service. The rooms are nice and spacious. You feel like you are in a cabin out in the woods. The property is quiet and beyond relaxing. Best part is . . . no cell phone service. So you truly feel like you are away and able to relax. If you love the country life, horseback riding, good food this is the place to go. I highly recommend and can't wait to go back some day soon! read more

Loved the horses and our trail guide! They are true horse lovers and I felt the experience was very authentic.

Our entire family just got back from 4 nights at the Circle Bar B Resort & Stables. There were 10 kids total, ranging in age from 16 to 1 yr. old. We had an amazing time! The fires were just put out 5 days prior. The damage is non-existent at the ranch and doesn't affect the experience at all. The fire hit the hillside surrounding the ranch where you ride horses, but the rides are still amazing, so don't let that stop you from coming. The entire resort is super kid friendly, and very kid-proof for those under 3. The food was great, all prepared for you. The horse guides are super friendly, and the countryside is still beautiful! if you're looking for a very family friendly getaway, this is definitely your best bet. read more

When I went to Circle Bar B, I had high hopes of positives experiences; I was told there was great ambience and good people. However I was dismayed at how I was treated by the people who worked there, one person in particular. I had gone to take part in a dinner/theater function that included a meal and a show. They had given me a vegetarian "special ticket", a $42 ticket to eat the vegetarian items on the menu, which included lasagna and salad, and green beans, etc. However, when I came to the buffet an older gentleman refused and harassed me over salad because I wasn't given the "regular ticket", I was given a "special ticket" that he didn't recognize. After ten minutes of humiliating one-sided argument in front of a large group of people, he eventually gave me salad disgruntledly. I can't tell you how humiliating it was to have been charged $42 to be harassed over salad! I would highly recommend AVOIDING the Circle Bar B until they master responsible Custom Service and Kindness, perhaps that older gentleman should retire given that he hasn't mastered either; but that's not really my call to make. read more

We went a couple days ago and had a really good time. Was beautiful views and a friendly staff. We just wished it had been a straight up and downhill ride and could have stretched at some point. But overall we had a really good time. read more

My boyfriend took me here as a birthday present and we both had a wonderful time. It's in the middle of nowhere and very secluded. Max capacity Is only about 50 so you really get great service here. If you're looking for a hotel with tv/Internet, don't come here. We enjoyed setting our phones/computers down and enjoying the nice weather and horseback riding. Would recommend this for anyone looking to take a break from the busy life. read more

My guy and I went here for a 90 minute trail ride to get out of the car for a while. We enjoyed our guide Joe and the scenery, though I had hoped for a more sunny day to fully enjoy the views. Casual, friendly, helpful people all around. read more

Just returned from a relaxing 3 day weekend at Circle Bar B!! It was one of our best vacations and we travel a lot. Coming up from LA gave us some time to decompress and by the time we were at the turn off, the avocado orchards that greeted us put us right in the mood to relax. The rooms are clean and spacious. We had a loft for our 11 yr old son, a wood burning stove king bed and full bath. But we didn't spend much time in the room. We enjoyed the game room, the horseback riding (followed by the jacuzzi!) the living room/bar area and hiking around the immediate property. We also did some easy hikes:10 mins up to the waterfalls and about 25 mins to the Lookout! both offered great photo ops. We also took the time to reinforce what poison oak looks like to our son. Their is a signed area for you to do that. The bird sightings were also amazing. Turkey vultures, woodpeckers, quail and lots of others. The food, oh my!!! On Saturday night we had a huge BBq dinner with all the fixin's. It was so tasty. Breakfast was also very filling and tasty. During breakfast you order your lunch and it is ready to pick up and take on a bike ride (or drive) to the beach, or to one of the picnic tables ioverlooking the pool. The staff was super friendly. Kathy and Henry were always around to take care of us. They had great suggestions for hikes and stuff to do if you were inclined to leave the ranch. Jim, the 70 +yr old son of the original owner is also at meals and around to fill you in on some of the history of the place. We are already planning our return. I cannot say enough good things about Circle Bar B!! It was simply amazing and more than we expected. PS our bar bill (the only thing not included )was not as high as it would have been at a Marriott or Hilton! read more

A belated post, but no less excited to share our amazing memories from Circle Bar B from the holidays -- our family stayed at the property between Christmas and the New Year and loved every minute. Warm welcoming hospitality, cozy and memorable setting (roaring fireplace, bar, books galore, game room, pool, hot tub, main dining room) and beautiful family owners on site to make sure all questions are answered and share their history of the land and their family. The accommodations were fantastic - we had a 2bedroom/2bath house with a great porch and felt right at home. Highly recommend for a memorable get-away and the most scenic riding along the ridges overlooking the Pacific one can imagine..... read more

The staff is friendly and the food is good but honestly it's not worth the money we paid. And the fact that the wine we ordered from the bar made me sick for a few days. read more

Please see my (and many other) reviews under "Circle Bar B Stables" (which should be cross-referenced to this site). It is the same place.

We went last Friday for the dinner theatre. $45 gets you a ton of food---chicken, tri tip, potatoes, chili, garlic bread, cake. Delicious cocktails at the bar, and the play (we saw Sherlock Holmes) was fun. Not to mention you are out of the bustle (if you can even call it that) of Santa Barbara and out on a ranch that feels like it could be in Wyoming. A fun experience. read more

Awesome horse ride with John the trail guide.

First horseback riding experience and it was so much fun! They had beautiful horses and Rick was an awesome leader!

It was such a pleasant experience to stay out at the Circle Bar B. It was the perfect getaway while celebrating my wife's birthday. I signed us up for the sunset tour horse ride and my wife was just tickled to go horseback riding again, and the views were spectacular! When we arrived Bruce met us with a huge smile as if we were returning guests. He gave us a tour of the place as if it were his own, and made us feel as though we were staying with close friends. We were also impressed that George, our cowboy and trail guide, knew the names of all of the 46 horses, and he had only been there 5 weeks! Most Hotel's staff members don't even know all of the employees names! Dinner was such a treat too...as we were seated at a long table, with other guests. The owner, Jim Brown, also sat with us at dinner and we all shared some great stories. The food itself was fabulous. From the ranch style dinner, early morning cowboy breakfast, and the picnic lunch we were given when we checked out... The rates are very reasonable, and the accommodations were very cozy. We will definitely be telling our friends about this place, and coming back again soon! Thank you so much for such a wonderful experience! Paris and Lisa R read more