Today we’d like to introduce you to Christine Forsyth.
Christine, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was raised in Carpinteria, CA before putting down roots in the Santa Ynez Valley, where along with my husband raised our four children and built a thirty-year career in local hospitality — twenty-six of those years spent successfully steering the Ballard Inn & Gathering Table.
My next chapter began, fittingly, at a party. In the fall of 2023, I was invited to a friend’s birthday celebration at Zaca Lake — a storied, secluded property I’d long heard whispered about but never seen. Deep in conversation with a fellow guest, I learned of ambitious new developments underway at the lake. As it turned out, the very person they were searching for to help lead the project was the woman standing in front of them.
“Serendipitous” is the word I use to describe it. By January 2024, I had joined the Zaca Lake team, laying the operational groundwork, after more than a few years of amazing renovations, ahead of the property’s spring 2025 reopening.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
With 320 acres, a lake, sixteen cabins, a three-bedroom house, the Ranch House, and various other communal spaces, getting the property up and running has been a monumental task. I’ve been building the infrastructure of operations from the ground up, and I’m fortunate to work with a terrific group of owners who are intentional and thoughtful in bringing this project to life — and who deeply respect the years of knowledge I bring to guiding them. I love the vision they all share- to be good stewards of the land, be an active part of the community and accomplish this as an event space only instead of a full time resort.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I never lose sight of what hospitality truly means, and I lead my team accordingly. It comes down to a simple concept that’s often forgotten: making every stay, event, corporate retreat, or celebration memorable, with the guest at the heart of the experience. Keeping that at the center helps us stay focused on what matters most. What I’m most proud of is building a fabulous team that leads with that same spirit.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I love the Santa Ynez Valley! It’s a close-knit community, even though it’s spread out across five small towns — the kind of place where people genuinely take care of one another. It’s steeped in history and traditions that are hard to find elsewhere these days.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://zacalake.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zacalake/
