The Ritz-Carlton Bacara’s Whale of a Celebration is a Weekend of Celebration and Education Supporting the Gentle Giants of the Ocean

SANTA BARBARA, California – October 15th, 2024 – The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara, is delighted to host Whale of a Celebration on November 22-23. It is a festive event celebrating the first anniversary of the Santa Barbara Channel Whale Heritage Area designation. The weekend supports Santa Barbara Channel Whale Heritage Area’s mission to promote responsible ecotourism, educational opportunities, research, and conservation efforts.  

The weekend will include the “Whales, Ales, and Cocktails” Film Festival the evening of Friday, November 22, featuring the documentary Whale Wisdom, produced by Rick Rosenthal and narrated David Attenborough, and special guest speakers that include Chumash elder Julie Tumamait Stenslie, Assemblymember Gregg Hart, Sean Hastings, the Policy, Information and Management Officer of Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary,  and Rachel Rhodes of UCSB’s Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory.

“Community engagement is at the heart of our mission. By coming together to celebrate these wonderful whales and dolphins, we not only raise awareness about the importance of marine conservation, but also empower individuals to become stewards of the ocean, says Holly Lohuis, Co-Director of Santa Barbara Channel Whale Heritage Area. “Our event at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, along the beautiful Gaviota Coast, will be filled with inspiration from our guest speakers and beautiful films. This event promises to give us all a reminder that every action we take can make a difference in protecting our local marine environment for future generations.”

Rick Rosenthal's Whale Wisdom is a documentary that explores the complex and often mysterious behavior of whales, revealing their intelligence, communication skills, and social structures. The film captures rare and intimate footage of various whale species, showcasing their interactions in their natural environments. Rosenthal, a renowned marine cinematographer, combines stunning visuals with scientific insights, highlighting how whales navigate, hunt, and even display emotional bonds, offering viewers a deeper understanding of these majestic creatures and their vital role in marine ecosystems.

Special guest speakers at the “Whales, Ales, and Cocktails” Film Festival on the evening of Friday, November 22, include: 

• Julie Tumamait Stenslie, a Chumash elder, will begin the evening with a blessing.
• Assemblymember Gregg Hart. He will share a few words about environmental protection and safeguarding the SB Channel.
• Sean Hastings is the policy, information, and management officer at the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary and the founder of Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies. Sean will speak on how both conservation and commerce can thrive off California and its vast potential to expand wherever ships, whales, and coastal communities overlap.
• Rachel Rhodes, marine scientist at the Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory at the University of California, Santa Barbara. She leads Whale Safe, a project that helps reduce the risk of fatal whale-ship collisions through near-real-time whale detection and vessel monitoring along the California Coast.  
• And a special film on Blue Whales by Adam Ernster, Media Director of The Santa Barbara Whale Heritage Area, which has never been seen before.  

In addition to the Film Festival, the weekend will feature whale watching on The Condor Express with local experts and scientists in the heart of the Santa Barbara Channel on Saturday, Nov 23, from 10 am -2:30pm. 

Limited tickets are still available, save your spot by visiting: https://www.sbwhaleheritage.org/about-us/whale-of-a-celebration/.

About The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara 

Set against a backdrop of golden beaches and lush mountains, The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara, embodies the charm, beauty, and energy of the Mediterranean in the heart of Santa Barbara. The iconic Central California resort spans 78 acres and features 358 guest rooms and suites, two natural beaches, lush gardens, and a collection of amenities including: a 42,000 square-foot spa and wellness center; three salt-water infinity pools; six culinary venues including the signature Angel Oak, housing the resort’s 12,000-bottle wine collection; robust activities program for guests of all ages; and 70,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and event space. The property is distinctly nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains, offering easy access to the region’s best vineyards, and is just minutes from the center of charming and historic Santa Barbara. 

About The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC 

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., of Bethesda, MD, part of Marriott International, Inc., currently operates more than 100 hotels in 32 countries and territories. For more information or reservations, visit the company web site at www.ritzcarlton.com, for the latest company updates, visit news.marriott.com and to join the live conversation, use #RCMemories and follow along on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR). The Ritz-Carlton is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit MarriottBonvoy.marriott.com.

About the Santa Barbara Channel Whale Heritage Area

As a designated Whale Heritage Area, we are committed to promoting responsible whale-watching practices, fostering community engagement, producing educational multi-media films, and enhancing public awareness about the importance of ocean conservation and whale and dolphin protection. Our purpose is to promote conservation practices that ensure the long-term health of whales and dolphins and their habitats, while inspiring communities to engage in marine stewardship and appreciate the profound beauty and importance of our ocean's giants here in the Santa Barbara Channel. We aim to support opportunities for local school students to experience whale watching at sea, and to gain an emotional connection to whale and dolphin protection.