Social+Activities

toc Just add things you want to share, do, or organize here.

=Thursday July 18: Beach BBQ and Volleyball=

Our usual BBQ appointment this week will be on Thursday. The gathering will begin around 5 PM, with the grill starting by 6 PM at the Goleta Beach. Please sign up if you will attend so that the right amount of supplies can be procured, and plan on bringing your own meat/fish and a side to share (salad, veggies, chips and dip, etc. all welcome). If you need any help, please let the organizers know. A minimal quantity of community sausages, bread, soft drinks, plates, utensils will be provided.
 * Juliane Hahn (Baguette)
 * Christoph Schmell (Chips & Dip)
 * Fabio
 * SIchun Sun

=Group Dinner=

Tuesday July 16: Beachside Diner
This Tuesday we intend to have dinner at Beachside Diner where some of us have already been last time. It is located at Goleta beach just beyond our usual BBQ area. If you want to join, please sign up as soon as possible so that we can make a reservation in time. The plan is to be there at 6:30, so let's gather in front of KITP at around 6. = =
 * Christoph Schmell
 * Juliane Hahn
 * Stefan Weinzierl
 * Sichun Sun

**Saturday July 13: Channel Islands**
Saturday July 13: Channel Islands This Saturday we would like to go on a trip to the St. Cruz island, which is part of the Channel Island National Park. These islands are home to many species of plants and animals. Two destinations, Scorpion Ranch and Prisoners Harbor, are possible. According to previous reports, Scorpion Ranch seems to be a good place to go for hiking.

Since there are no services on the island it is nescessary to bring all food and drinking water on your own. The island fare is 59$ each adult and 41$ for every child from the age 3 to 12. It will depart in Ventura at 9:00pm. The trip back will start at 4:00pm from the East Santa Cruz pier (Scorpion). Each way will take about one hour.

Please let us know as soon as possible if you want to join and if you have a car. We intend to make a reservation by tomorrow/Friday.
 * !!HOWEVER!!**: Since the bus connection to Ventura is pretty bad, we depend on people, who can take us there by car.

For further information please check the following pages:

@http://www.islandpackers.com/ @http://www.islandpackers.com/IslandTrips.html @http://www.islandpackers.com/SCIGeneral.html @http://www.nps.gov/chis/index.htm

This Sunday we want to go on a whale watching trip. The whale watching tour is with [|Condor Express]. The phone number for reservations is 805-882-0088. They have a [|whale watching guarantee] - if there are no whales you get a free trip on another whale tour (no refunds!). More information can be found [|here]and [|here]. Please read also the [|Whale Watching Tour Tips] (thanks to the previous organizers for the links!). Side note: We just went whale watching yesterday with Condor Express, that was super cool! we saw about 1000 dolphins jumping around the boat, and even two blue whales: the biggest mammal ever existed on the earth, the gigantic smooth monster-like creature. Highly recommended, I think with this tour, dolphins and whales are probably guaranteed, although blue whales might be kind of rare and need some luck. By Sichun Sun
 * Sunday July 7: Whale Watching **
 * The trip lasts from 10:00 am to 2:30 pm, and costs $99 per person ($50 for children age 5-12)
 * The trip leaves from Santa Barbara harbor (click [|here] for exact location), they ask that you are there 30 minutes early
 * We will make a reservation for everybody signed in until Saturday 3:00 pm, although it might not be necessary.


 * Tuesday, July 2: Group Dinner at Beachside Diner**

There will be a group dinner outing on Tuesday, July 2. We plan to go to the Beachside Diner, which is at Goleta beach just beyond our usual BBQ area. This will be a very kid-friendly dinner, and I will bring a volleyball for possible entertainment. Please add your name below if you'll be joining. The plan is to be at the restaurant around 6:30, so anyone leaving from KITP should meet in the lobby to leave around 6.


 * Thursday July 4: Holiday Beach BBQ and Volleyball**

For the Fourth of July holiday an afternoon beach BBQ has been proposed. The festivities would begin around 3 PM, with the grill starting whenever it is demanded. Please RSVP here if you will attend so that the right amount of supplies can be procured, and plan on bringing your own meat and a side to share (salad, veggies, chips and dip, etc. all welcome). I know a lot of people have other plans for the holiday, but I thought those of us staying in the area should have something appropriate to do. Plates and utensils will be provided. Anyone interested in going to see the fireworks can likely work out a ride from the beach.

=//Past Activities//=

Thursday June 27: Dinner at The Palace Grill (Cajun/Creole style restaurant on Cota St.) at 6:45 pm

Tuesday, June 25: Beach barbecue and volleyball

Thursday June 20: Dinner at Zaytoon ( Middle Eastern Restaurant) at 7 pm

Saturday June 22: Channel Islands

Tuesday, June 18: Beach barbecue and volleyball

Wednesday, June 12: Casual dinner

Thursday June 13: Beach barbecue and volleyball

Hiking (Rattlesnake canyon) Sunday, June 9

Santa Ynez area wine tasting Saturday, June 8

Los Olivos [|Jazz and Olive Festival]

First Thursday and group dinner at [|Cielito] Thursday, June 6, 5:00 pm

Beach barbeque (no volleyball) Tuesday, June 4, 5:00 pm

Whale watching (details below) Sunday, June 2, 9:30 am

Channel Islands Saturday, June 1, 7:15 am The trip to the St.Cruz Channel island was very nice. On the boat from Ventura to St.Cruz island we saw pelicans and dolphins. After our arrival at Scorpion pier we also saw a species of fox that can only be found on the channel islands. We hiked to Smugglers Cove, which has a very nice beach for surfing, swimming and kayaking. Then we followed the Scorpion Canyon loop as well as the Cavern Point loop for enjoying the view from Cavern point. Unfortunately, there is no shade but some at the Smugglers Cove and the campgrounds. The only access to drinking water is at the campgrounds. The hiking trails varying between "easy" and "strenuous." We strongly recommend this trip.

The total cost of the boat trip with islandpackers is $59 per person and it took about 1 hour each way. Due to the limited access to food and drinking water it is necessary to bring enough on your own. Additional information for a preparation of a trip can be found here @http://www.islandpackers.com/ @http://www.islandpackers.com/IslandTrips.html @http://www.islandpackers.com/SCIGeneral.html @http://www.nps.gov/chis/index.htm

Beach barbecue & volleyball Thursday, May 30, 5:00 pm

Botanic Garden visit & SB Arts Festival Sunday, May 26, 2 pm

Group dinner at Opal Thursday, May 23, 6:30 pm

Beach barbecue & volleyball Wednesday, May 22, 5:00 pm

Group dinner at Hollister Brewing Company Thursday, May 16, 6:30 pm

Tour of California Thursday, May 16, 10:00 am

Volleyball Wednesday, May 15, 6:30 pm

Channel Islands Saturday, May 11, 7:15 am http://www.nps.gov/chis/planyourvisit/santa-cruz-island.htm

Group dinner at Los Agaves & apres at Blue Agave Thursday, May 9, 7:00 pm

Beach barbecue & volleyball Tuesday, May 7, 5:00 pm

Casual dinner with DM workshop Monday, May 6, 6:00 pm

Whale watching Saturday, May 4, 2:30 pm

First Thursday and group dinner at Arch Rock Fish Thursday, May 2, 5:00 pm

KITP Spring Picnic at Goleta Beach, area D Wednesday, May 1, 3:30 - 7:00 pm. Casual dinner in Isla Vista at Javan's with DM workshop Monday, April 29, 6:00 pm
 * The trip lasts from 10:00 am to 2:30 pm, and costs $99 per person ($50 for children age 5-12)
 * The trip leaves from Santa Barbara harbor (click [|here] for exact location), they ask that you are there 30 minutes early
 * Reservations are recommended, although in our case there was a lot of space left on the ship

**Whale watching information**

We went whale watching last sunday (June 2). It was a very nice trip, I (Pedro) recommend doing it. Below is some information that might be useful: We are now in the summer season, so there is the possibility to observe Humpback and Blue whales. Usually one also sees many dolphins and other sea animals like seals during the trip.


 * The trip lasts from 10:00 am to 2:30 pm, and costs $99 per person ($50 for children age 5-12)
 * The trip leaves from Santa Barbara harbor (click [|here] for exact location), they ask that you are there 30 minutes early
 * Reservations are recommended, although in our case there was a lot of space left on the ship

The whale watching tour is with [|Condor Express]. The phone number for reservations is 805-882-0088. They have a [|whale watching guarantee] - if there are no whales you get a free trip on another whale tour (no refunds!). More information can be found [|here]and [|here]. Please read also the [|Whale Watching Tour Tips] (thanks to the previous organizers for the links!).

=Area Restaurants=
 * Arnoldi's Cafe** - Little Italian restaurant in historic stone building from 1930's with seating and bocce ball out back.
 * Beachside Bar & Cafe,** down the hill from KITP overlooking Goleta beach.
 * The Boathouse** - Seafood place right on Hendry's beach.
 * Brewhouse** - Pretty much what you expect - beer and hearty food. For large groups, they require a pre-selected menu with only 4 entree choices.
 * Carlitos** - Nice Mexican restaurant on State Street.
 * Edomasa** - Sushi.
 * Olio Pizzeria** - Highest rated pizza place in town, but kind of pricey (up to $20 for individual pie).
 * Opal** - California/Fusion.
 * Trattoria Vittoria** - Italian. Will only take large groups either early (before 5:30) or late (after 8:00).
 * MORE**

=Beach Barbecue= Goleta Beach, a short walk from KITP, has barbecue pits that you can use. Reservations are usually not required unless you have a very large group and need a certain area. Please note: **beach bonfires** **are not permitted** anywhere in Santa Barbara County. (They are only permitted in certain places anywhere in California.)

=Hiking around Santa Barbara= > Hiking info from atomixrays10. > Sedgwick Reserve, a part of the UC Natural Reserve System, offers public hikes mornings on the second Saturday of each month from fall to late spring, weather permitting. Located in the Santa Ynez Valley, you may choose your degree of difficulty (easy, moderate, or strenuous.) You must register in advance online. This Reserve is unique also as it is the site of the Byrne Observatory, housing a 0.8m telescope, one of those in the Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network.

=Local Events=

1st Thursday
> Visit more than 30 art venues, talk with artists, view exhibits, listen to live music, and create art yourself. Downtown S.B. will once again open its doors to the public with 1st Thursday, a celebration of arts and culture. You are sure to find an evening full of entertainment as you visit over 30 art venues to talk with artists, watch demonstrations, view exhibits, listen to live music, and create a little art yourself.

=Music:=

Summer Concerts in the Park
> It’s one of Santa Barbara’s best summer traditions….. come find out first-hand what brings up to 5,000 people down to Chase Palm Park on Thursday nights during the months of June, July and August! Make sure that you dust off your dancing shoes, pack up a picnic dinner and your friends and family, and come celebrate summer and some great free music concerts in Santa Barbara’s beautiful Chase Palm Park! Located right on Cabrillo Blvd. along the gorgeous Santa Barbara waterfront. Don’t miss it!

//The Met: Live in HD//
> The Metropolitan Opera broadcasts [|HD simulcasts] of operas to movie theaters all over the world. The live performances are Saturday matinees in New York, so they start here at 9:55am and are shown locally at the historic Arlington Theater in downtown SB and, in a smaller venue at Hahn Hall at the Music Academy of the West in Montecito. It will be rebroadcast again at Hahn Hall at 6:00pm on Saturday and at 2:00pm on Sunday.

Jazz & Folk Music
> SB has but one place that features jazz and folk: SOhO Restaurant & Music Club .They have decent food if you want to eat before/during a performance.

=Sport Activities=

Cycling
I'll be riding more or less every day of the workshop, either in the mornings or the evenings depending on the schedule, and would love some company. Favorite routes are [|Old San Marcos] (~20 miles, 1300 feet of climbing), [|Painted Cave] (~25 miles, 2000 feet of climbing), and [|Gibraltar] (~42 miles, 5000 feet of climbing). I'm also happy to lead less ambitious rides into town or along flat roads at the base of the mountains. If you're interested, just drop me a line. --Nathaniel

=//Santa Barbara Theaters//= media type="custom" key="20478264"