Bacara Resort & Spa 8301 HOLLISTER AVENUE SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA 93117 UNITED STATES    Some places have all the luck. And if luck equates with a luxurious ocean view from your outdoor dining room, you need to make a road stop at Bacara Resort and Spa. This dinner or lunch opportunity is not for the faint-hearted who care to spend no more than $25. At Bacara, $25 will just about buy one person a modest lunch of a salad, soup and ice tea.   But think how much money you save by stopping for lunch, then moving on! I've stayed at Bacara for nearly a week on business and it is an interesting place.  There's clearly plenty of money floating around the this northern part of Santa Barbara because the resort is often full. While the rooms seldom go down much from the standard of around $500, I just did a check when writing this review and discovered an autumn week-day rate of $300 for garden views twin bed room.  Not bad!   Do you want an iron? You have to call the bell? Do you need anything at all? Call the bell service to get it.   But meanwhile back at lunch, the soups are delicious, colorful, and the views are oh, so special. Don't be surprised if you see a couple arrive, walking up a a trail of rose petals to their table where chocolate covered strawberries and champagne awaits.  On my luncheon visit, I was enjoying the perfect 72-degree weather at the outdoor patio and saw an attractive couple arrive. I can only surmise he was going to propose.  I would love to have lingered to find out but needed to "hit the road" and head north to finish my journey.   My tomato bisque soup seen in the photo above was flavorful, rich with a dollop of fresh, lightly whipped sour cream and a tasty crouton. It really makes a nice dish for holidays.   I have also dined at Bacara for dinner in the Bistro dining room, and Miro Restaurant, named for the Miro art that decorates the  exclusive restaurant. Again, you should expect to spend $100 up for a meal, but nobody seems to care. If you are on a budget, however, set your limits before you enter. There are some wine stewards offering you the finest, tastiest selections, but beware!  You can easily push a few hundred dollar tab up to $500 or $1000 if not careful.   When staying at Bacara, you can drive down the road to Goleta to the fast food places and Starbucks Coffee. But nothing is quite as special as the elegant dining areas on this privileged resort that sits on a hilltop on the Pacific Ocean.      Restaurants:  Miro Restaurant,  Bistro Restaurant,  Spa Cafe -  Spa Cafe call (805) 571-4113. Location: 8301 Hollister Ave. Santa Barbara, CA     Reserve a Room or Check Prices and Availability