34th Annual Convention and Technical Symposium

LOCAL ACTIVITIES

1. Horseback Riding is something you can't do everywhere, and we have a great stable 30 miles north of the hotel, on the mountain side of Refugio Beach.  Circle Bar B offers 1 1/2 hour rides for $25 per person.  Riders get to ride up the side of a canyon through the woods, with the opportunity to gallop and take in views of the canyons, ocean, and Channel Islands.

2. To get a taste of Santa Barbara in general, the Santa Barbara Trolley is a terrific option.  For a mere $4 per person, the trolley runs daily on regularly scheduled routes which cover all the major sights in Santa Barbara.  Guests can board and debark the trolley anywhere along the route, and this way each individual can spend more time at sights to his or her liking.  Stops include locations such as the Mission, Stearns Wharf, the Zoo, the Court House, and the Downtown Shopping areas.

3. Within a 30 - 45 minute drive of Santa Barbara is the Santa Ynez Wine Country, and there are several wineries (including Fess Parker's Winery) which offer tastings and winery tours.  Once in Santa Ynez, you are just a short drive from Solvang Danish Village, with its wonderful shops and restaurants.  We also have maps available at the Concierge desk which can take you on a "self-guided tour".

4. A unique activity to the Central Coast is Whale Watching.  Blue and Humpback whales frequent the waters of the Channel Islands in the Spring on their annual migration, and several charter boats regularly schedule trips to view them.  We can also arrange for deep sea fishing, sunset champagne cruises, dinner cruises, or coastal sightseeing cruises.  

5. Deep Sea Fishing is available at the Sea Landing on the Hornet, a 55’ yacht, for $25.00 per person. The charters leave at 7 a.m. and return at 5:30 p.m.  Fishing poles, bait, tackle, and licenses are all available at the Sea Landing.

6. For those interested in a more private boating experience, Skippered Sailing Charters are available in 2 hour increments for up to 6 adults.  Sit back and enjoy the ride, or take an active part in sailing your boat.  Pricing depends on the amount of time and the size of the sailboat.  We can even arrange a “Regatta” for groups with a taste for a little friendly competition.

7. If you are here on a Sunday, why not take in an exciting Polo Match?  The Polo Fields are located 10 minutes south of Santa Barbara, and matches are at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. every Sunday between April and October.  Admission is $5 per person, and tickets can be purchased at the gate.  You are welcome to bring your own picnic lunch, or purchase lunch at the Snack Bar.  Group reservations (with or without lunch) are also available.

8. Every Sunday, from 8 a.m. to Sunset, local artists gather across the street at the beach for the Cabrillo Arts Show.  Paintings, jewelry, pottery, and a variety of craft items are for sale, all handmade and at very surprisingly low prices.  Come browse and find that one-of-a-kind souvenir to take home!

9. For a unique outdoors experience, Bike Down Gibralter offers all downhill mountain bike tours of the Santa Barbara backcountry.  They take you to the top of La Cumbre Peak in a van, and then you ride down 4000 feet to the beach on all paved roads.  They offer both a 2 hour “quick ride” for $19.95 per person, and a 4 hour “full tour” for $39.95 per person, which  stops at Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park, the Knapp Castle Ruins, and includes refreshments.  No special skills are required and all equipment is provided.

10. No listing of activities for Santa Barbara would be complete without Shopping Information! Downtown State Street is a must...also Stearns Wharf, Montecito Village, and Coast Village Road have some exclusive boutiques.  The Paseo Nuevo mall is home to Nordstrom, Macy's, theaters and a variety of unique specialty shops and restaurants.  Antiques can be found in abundance on Brinkerhoff Avenue, and on Tuesdays from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. the Santa Barbara Farmer's Market sets up on lower State Street, offering the bounty of our area at reasonable prices. 

11. Our full service concierge staff will be more than happy to assist you with information on the many other Santa Barbara attractions.   There is the Museum of Art, the Natural History Museum, the Botanical Gardens, the Zoo, Historical Sights, the Downtown “Red Tile” Walking Tour, Antique Shopping, and whatever else you could possibly think of!

Without leaving the hotel property, we also have several fun ways to pass the time.  On site we offer:

1. Bicycle and Rollerblade Rentals.  The hotel faces East beach and its adjoining miles of oceanfront, smoothly paved, bike path.  Rollerblade rentals include helmets and pads, and we have a wide variety of bicycles as well. Rentals range from $5.00 - $24.00 per hour, and half-day rentals are also available.

2. Tennis.  We have 3 lighted courts available for our guests, and a limited quantity of racquets at the concierge desk.  A full-time tennis pro is also available for private or group lessons.  There is no charge to hotel quests for use of the tennis courts, but reservations are requested.

3. Aqua Motion Water Aerobics.  A great way to work out without working up a sweat, these long hour classes take place in the Hotel Pool during the spring and summer months, and are free to hotel guests.  Classes take place on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings at 5:30 p.m. and on Saturday mornings at 10:30 a.m.  Beginning May 3, 1999, classes will also be available on Monday evenings at 5:30 p.m.

4. Other Sports Options.  We have a basketball court on site and public volleyball courts across the street, with equipment available though the concierge.  The exercise room has Lifecycles and Stairmasters, and we also have a putting green and shuffleboard.

5. Relaxing Options.  Swim and sun at our pool and Jacuzzi, have a private massage in our Spa, or a facial at the salon.  Join us for happy hour, a late night cocktail or cappuccino in the Barra Los Arcos and enjoy live music after 8:00 p.m.  Or, take a long walk on the beach!  (Our Upper Rotunda is one of the best places in town to watch the sunset!)