Attendee Resources
Browse the information below to help make the most of your retreat experience. From travel and transportation information to local tips, we’re here to help.
Locations
SANTA CRUZ,
CALIFORNIA
The retreat is held at the Civic Auditorium, conveniently located in downtown Santa Cruz with nearby restaurants, beaches, and redwood forests.
Additional Class Locations:
Aikido of Santa Cruz / Dojo: simultaneous retreat classes scheduled at the dojo Saturday afternoon + Dojo Party on Saturday evening. Directions →
Davenport Bluffs: outdoor training offered Thursday afternoon will begin on the forested bluffs overlooking the expanse of the Pacific Ocean. Directions →
Davenport Beach: after training on the bluffs, we’ll walk down to the beach for weapons and ocean misogi (purification) practices. Directions →
Natural Bridges Beach: the final morning of the retreat will begin along the sea, embracing the invigorating energy of nature with bokken (wooden sword) training, paired keiko, and traditional shin kokyu practice on the sandy shoreline. Directions →
Transportation
Numerous nearby international airports
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The two closest airports to Santa Cruz are San Jose International [SJC] (30 miles) and San Francisco International [SFO] (75 miles). There are two shuttle services that will pick you up at the airport and take you right to your lodging or the retreat. They both pick up passengers at San Jose and San Francisco airports.
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Early Bird Airport Shuttle (831) 462-3933 www.earlybirdairportshuttle.com
Private door-to-door service, $80 to/from San Jose Airport and $120 to/from San Francisco Airport.Santa Cruz Shuttles (831) 421-9883 www.santacruzshuttles.com
They offer door-to-door service within the City of Santa Cruz for $115 to/from San Jose Airport and $145 to/from San Francisco Airport. Prices shown are for 1-4 people; group sizes of 5-10 people will be $25 extra charge. -
Using public transportation to/from either airport is a little more complicated and a lot less expensive than the shuttle services. You can use "Get Directions" in Google Maps, and select the bus icon. Once you are in Santa Cruz, the bus station is about a 10 minute walk to the Civic Center and 15 minutes to the Aikido of Santa Cruz dojo.
From San Francisco Airport, the most direct route is to take BART to Caltrain, then Caltrain to the San Jose Diridon Station. From the Diridon station you catch the Highway 17 express to Santa Cruz. Transit time is about 3 hours -- less, if you get a Caltrain Express train (vs. under two hours driving).
From San Jose Airport, Terminal B, take the #22 bus to the Santa Clara & Montgomery. From there it is a 3 minute walk to the San Jose Diridon Caltrain station. From there take the Highway 17 express to Santa Cruz. Transit time is about 2 hours (vs. one hour driving).
Meals
deliciousness everywhere you turn
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Dining options are varied: Within walking distance of the Civic are many excellent cafes & restaurants of all price levels, a Trader Joe's and a health food store.
Please see https://downtownsantacruz.com/discover/eat for restaurants and other useful locations within easy walking distance of the Civic.
Parking
find the perfect spot
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A limited number of parking passes at the Civic Center are available for $50. Purchase parking pass add-on when registering.
Several all-day parking lots are within walking distance. Rates are typically $2 / hour up to max $16 / day. See this map for parking suggestions. (Please note that “Lot 6” shown on the map is reserved for people with the Retreat parking pass mentioned above.)
Accommodations
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Find your perfect home-away-from-home if you’re traveling to Santa Cruz. There are many hotel and vacation rental options in the area, though the area is a popular vacation destination, so book early.
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We offer a limited number of spaces at the Aikido of Santa Cruz dojo to out-of-town retreat attendees.
Just a few blocks from the Civic Auditorium, the dojo offers spacious communal rooms (tatami) and upgraded private rooms with pullout couches. All dojo accommodation options include access to bathrooms, showers, a full kitchen, and laundry.
Select dojo accommodations add-on when registering.
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Bayfront Inn 325 Pacific Ave.
(831) 423-856Beach Street Inn and Suites
125 Beach St. (831) 423-3031Beachview Inn 50 Front St. (831) 426-3575
Best Western, The All Suites 500 Ocean St. (831) 458-9898
Capri Motel
337 Riverside Ave. (831) 426-4611Coastview Inn 301 Beach St. (831) 426-0420
Continental Inn 414 Ocean St. (831) 429-1221
Edgewater Beach Inn and Suites 525 Second St. (831) 448-0888
Holiday Inn Express 1410 Ocean St. (831) 466-9100
Hotel Solares
600 Riverside Ave., (831) 458-9600Hyatt Place 407 Broadway. (844) 680-6921
The Islander Motel 522 Ocean St. (831) 426-7766
Motel Santa Cruz 370 Ocean St., (831) 458-9220
Ocean Gate Inn 111 Ocean St. (831) 429-8244
Ocean Pacific Lodge 301 Pacific Ave. (831) 457-1234
Oceana Inn 525 Ocean St., (831) 426-2300
Pacific Inn 330 Ocean St., (831) 425-3722
Hotel Paradox 611 Ocean St. (831) 425-7100
Riverside Inn & Suites
505 Riverside Ave. (831) 426-2899Salt Air Lodge
510 Liebrandt Ave., (831) 423-6020Super 8 by Wyndham
338 Riverside Ave. (831) 426-3707Torch Lite Inn
500 Riverside Ave., (831) 426-7575
WEST SIDEHampton Inn Santa Cruz West 2424 Mission St. (831) 316-3500
Mission Inn 2250 Mission St. (831) 425-5455
Sea & Sand Inn 201 W. Cliff Dr. (831) 427-3400
Seaway Inn 176 W. Cliff Dr. (831) 471-9004
Bed & Breakfast:
Hind’s House 529 Chestnum St. (831) 423-0423
Inexpensive B & B, minimum stay is one week; one block from the Civic
Babbling Brook Inn 1025 Laurel St. (831) 427-2437
Upscale downtown B & B, 0.7 mi from CivicSanta Cruz Youth Hostel:
2 minute drive / 20-minute walk from Civic. Rates start at $40 per night — some beds may be reserved, some held for chance travelers. See www.hi-santacruz.org for more information.
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Santa Cruz is a beautiful and popular summer destination, with plenty of great places to stay to suit different preferences and group sizes. While hotels and motels tend to be in higher demand, especially on weekends, there are also many wonderful vacation rental homes and condos available throughout the area.
Whether you’re looking for a larger home to share with a group or a cozy space for two or three, sites like Airbnb and VRBO feature a wide range of choices.
For easy access to downtown, the Westside and Seabright neighborhoods are especially convenient (5-10 minute drive). Just south, you’ll find lovely coastal communities such as Twin Lakes, Pleasure Point, Opal Cliffs, Capitola, New Brighton, Seacliff, Rio del Mar, and La Selva Beach.
If you’re open to staying slightly inland, areas like Live Oak, Soquel, and the San Lorenzo Valley can offer a quieter setting and often great value, while still being close to all that Santa Cruz has to offer.