PROGRAM REGISTRATION: After you have your room assignment, come over to the Road Scholar table to register with the program staff and pick up your arrival packet which we'll review during our orientation session before dinner.
ORIENTATION: Begins before dinner. We'll have an overview of the program ahead and review the up-to-date schedule, responsibilities, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, any other administrative issues, and answer your questions. Please be aware that local circumstances may require adjusting program elements. In the event of changes, we will notify you as quickly as possible. We appreciate your understanding.Dinner: Dinner at hotel
Menus are contracted for the program and are designed to offer balanced, healthy meals for the participants. In addition to the regular Road Scholar meal plan, this program offers a vegetarian meal option. Unfortunately, there are no other special meal options. Participants with special dietary needs should be prepared to avoid certain foods or supplement the regular meal plan as needed. Evening: CROSSING POINTS: Participants introduce themselves to the rest of the group.
Enjoy the remainder of the evening getting to know your fellow participants and discovering what you share beyond a love of lifelong learning Lodging: Crowne Plaza Ventura BeachMeals Included: Dinner
Enjoy the opportunity to watch the new video, "A Treasure in the Sea: Channel Islands", talk with park personnel, walk through the native plant garden, and view exhibits which highlight the natural and cultural features of the islands. Browse the bookstore and enjoy the scenic view from the tower before walking along the harbor to the restaurant located in Harbor Village.Lunch: Lunch at restaurant in Harbor VillageAfternoon: CLASS: Learn about topics related to the Channel Islands National Park such as cultural history, native history, marine life, geology, natural history and current research, which will be presented during the afternoon based upon instructor availability.Dinner: Dinner at hotelEvening: CLASS: Learn about topics related to the Channel Islands National Park such as cultural history, native history, marine life, geology, natural history and current research, which will be presented based upon instructor availability.Lodging: Crowne Plaza Ventura BeachMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
With its pristine beaches and grass covered hills, Santa Cruz is the largest island of the five islands comprising Channel Island National Park, and is a miniature of what Southern California looked like 100 years ago.
On the island, you'll have a choice of 2 hikes. Scorpion Canyon is an easy 1-mile round trip walk with good examples of native and endemic plants. Cavern Point is a 2-mile round trip hike that takes approximately 1 hour 30 min. The trail climbs 300 ft on the first third of the hike to Cavern Point afterwhich the trail flattens out providing expansive vistas of the Santa Barbara Channel. Guides talk about the isolation of the island, animals, plants, restoration projects, ranch history and marine environment at stops along the trail.Lunch: Bag lunch on the islandAfternoon: Exploration of Santa Cruz Island (continued) The boat returns to the mainland at approximately 4:00PMDinner: Dinner at hotelLodging: Crowne Plaza Ventura BeachMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
HOTEL CHECK OUT: The program concludes around 10:00AM after the morning lecture. We hope you have enjoyed our Santa Cruz Island adventure and will join us for other rewarding programs in the future. Best wishes for all your journeys!Meals Included: Breakfast
Ventura, CA 93001
(805) 643-4318
Mission San Buenaventura was founded in 1782. It is the ninth of California's 21 missions and the last to be established by Father Serra. Visitors will discover a small museum with mission artifacts such as Chumash basketry, a quiet courtyard, and 250 year-old paintings of the Stations of the Cross.For additional information, visit: www.sanbuenaventuramission.org
(805) 653-0323
One of the museum's permanent exhibits explores the community's past from the Chumash era through the 21st century. It consists of a fascinating collection of artifacts and displays focusing on Native Americans, Spanish and Mexican pioneers, and European and Yankee settlers. Especially notable are the George Stuart Historical figures, which are intricately carved figures from history that are dressed in elaborate period costume.For additional information, visit: www.venturamuseum.org
(805) 648-2075
Ventura offers a variety of recreational opportunities such as beach walks, biking and hiking trails, bird watching, camping, golf, sport fishing, water activities and whale watching. The Crowne Plaza Hotel is situated next to the beach and an oceanside boardwalk that stretches for many miles. Some trail heads are within walking distance of the hotel.For additional information, visit: www.ventura-usa.com