El Encanto Hotel Partners with Santa Barbara Sailing Center for Luxury Private Yacht Charters and Coastal Experiences

El Encanto Hotel, Santa Barbara’s iconic hillside hideaway, has unveiled an exclusive new partnership with the Santa Barbara Sailing Center, adding a curated collection of ocean experiences to its destination-driven guest programming. The collaboration deepens the resort’s connection to the Californian coast, inviting guests to explore the American Riviera not only from its terraced gardens and pool decks, but also from the gentle roll of the Pacific just offshore.​

Private yacht charters and golden hour sails

Through this partnership, El Encanto guests can now book Morning Light and Golden Hour private charters aboard 32- to 50-foot Catalina yachts operated by the Santa Barbara Sailing Center. Each sailing includes a dedicated captain and a gourmet picnic featuring local wines, creating an intimate way to experience sunrise calm or sunset glow along the Santa Barbara coastline.​

Sailing lessons and family-friendly coastal adventures

The programme also introduces parent/child sailing lessons and one-on-one instruction tailored to all skill levels, available as single sessions or multi-day progressions covering fundamentals like trim, tacking and docking. For guests who prefer to stay closer to the waterline, guided kayak and stand-up paddleboard tours offer two-hour explorations of the shoreline with chances to spot dolphins, sea lions and coastal birdlife.​

Expanded destination-driven programming at El Encanto

Beyond its new sailing experiences, El Encanto continues to broaden its portfolio of local, experiential activities, from The Art of the Cocktail masterclasses to guided hikes, wine tastings and wellness activations. Guests can also join the hotel’s culinary team for Santa Barbara Farmers Market visits with Chef Joel Viehland, further reinforcing the resort’s identity as a hub for authentic, place-based luxury in the hills above the city.​

For travellers seeking a Santa Barbara stay that blends five-star comfort with immersive coastal adventure, El Encanto’s partnership with the Santa Barbara Sailing Center offers a compelling new way to sail, sip and explore along California’s storied shoreline.​