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Santa Barbara became the center of the movie-making world in 1913 when the American Film Manufacturing Company opened the largest production facility in the country. The studio produced more than twelve hundred films. They were silent films but there's nothing silent about L3's Documentary Film Symposium.


Santa Barbara is going to be a spectacular location for four days of films, discussions and connections with one another. We encourage you to register early as Santa Barbara and our hotel, the Ritz-Carlton Bacara are both very desirable in October and November.



 AGENDA

subject to change

Monday, October 30 - ARRIVAL

2:30 - 4:30 p.m.    

Board Meeting (Board members only)

4:45 p.m.  

Reception, Director's Lounge

5:30 p.m.

First screening, Director's Screening Room

7 p.m. 

Dinner, Director's Lounge

Tuesday, October 31 - FILMS


7-8:30 a.m.     

Breakfast, Director's Lounge

9 a.m.-noon    

Second screening, Director's Screening Room

Noon              

Lunch, The Bluff or Director's Lounge

1:30–4 p.m.    

Third screening, Director's Screening Room



6:30 p.m. 

       Halloween cocktails followed by dinner, The Bistro

Wednesday, November 1 - FILMS & NATIONAL PARK


7-8:30 a.m. 

Breakfast, Director's Lounge

9-10:30 a.m.

        Fourth screening, Director's Screening Room

10:30 a.m.

Channel Islands talk with National Parks Foundation

11:30 a.m.


       Buses Board 

12:30–2:30 p.m.

Lunch on the Channel Cat

3:15 p.m.    

Bus returns to hotel

6 p.m.  

Transporation departs for dine-around, dinner on your own

Thursday, November 2 - SCHEDULE YOUR DAY, YOUR WAY


7-8:30 a.m.

Breakfast, Director's Lounge

 

Optional xcursion – User pay

  • Private bus charter to Santa Barbara wine tour – user pay (4-hour excursion)

 

At the hotel – user pay

  • Eco-walk from hotel
  • Hotel e-bikes
  • Golf at Sandpiper
  • Spa

 

5 p.m.

Final screening, Director's Screening Room

7 p.m.

Closing dinner, Director's Lounge

Friday, November 3 - DEPARTURE

Schedule your flights for any time on Friday.


Schedule subject to change.

THE PROGRAM

Original Thinkers


David Holbrooke returns with Original Thinkers to meld speakers, films and performances into powerful experiences that enlighten and motivate audience members. Holbrooke's connection with the best and brightest minds in films opens the door for L3 members to talk with these thought leaders and visionaries. His well-honed interview skills always lead to deep, informative conversations.


Our films will be announced later this year.

Thank you



We could not make this event work without the efforts of Joanne and Jim Steinback. Thank you Joanne and Jim for reviewing and selecting our films and topics for the seventh straight year.

SPECIAL FEATURES

Channel Cat Lunch Cruise

As soon as you step aboard, your exquisite voyage begins. Cruising along the Santa Barbara coastline and soaking up the fresh salt air, the warmth of the sun and the freedom of being at sea all come together on this luxury yacht. Experience the American Riviera while taking in views of the Santa Ynez Mountain Range and the silhouette of the Channel Islands just offshore. Relax on board as you are pampered with personal attention for a lunch cruise and a view of the Channel Islands.

Channel Island National Park

The Channel Islands National Park is one of North America's magnificent treasures. Close to the California mainland, yet worlds apart, the park encompasses five of the eight California Channel Islands (Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel and Santa Barbara) and their ocean environment, preserving and protecting a wealth of natural and cultural resources.


Like the Galapagos Islands of South America, isolation has allowed evolution to proceed independently on the islands. Marine life ranges from microscopic plankton to the blue whale, the largest animal to live on Earth. Archeological and cultural resources span more than 13,000 years of human habitation.


We will view the Channel Islands National Park from the Channel Cat but those who would like a closer look can make arrangements to take the shuttle or a private charter to the Santa Cruz island. Access to the islands is closed because of storm damage but we hope they will reopen by the time we're in Santa Barbara.

Lotusland Botanical Gardens

Recognized as one of the most iconic public gardens, Lotusland is celebrated for its extraordinary history, avant-garde landscape designs, sustainable practices and mystique.


Spanning over 37 acres, Lotusland proudly stands as home to many of the rarest, most fascinating plants in the world. Explore the awe-inspiring estate through a captivating docent-led tour or experience the garden at your leisure.

Golf at Sandpiper

The championship golf course at Sandpiper has been rated by Golf Digest in the top 25 public golf courses in California and top 100 public courses in the country. It was designed by William F. Bell and opened in 1972 featuring beautiful rolling fairways and challenging greens in a seaside links-style layout.


Sandpiper's dynamic design attracts players of all skill levels, including players of the highest caliber. Sandpiper combines a traditional championship golf course and spectacular surroundings to provide our guests with something much more than a round of golf.

Jean-Michel Cousteau’s interactive environmental education program at the Ritz-Carlton Barcara

When was the last time you looked in wonder at the intricate architecture of a leaf, let your fingers explore the strange texture of a bit of kelp washed ashore or happened upon an owl swooping for prey on its nightly hunt?


Here, guests of all ages can explore the natural environment of California's Gaviota Coast under the tutelage of professionals trained by Cousteau and his chief scientist, Richard Murphy. Guests can engage in guided nature walks on land and on sand, in daytime and at night. These special explorations are just one facet of the diverse and engaging program. There's an entire menu of activities.



"This region is among the richest and most interesting in the world, with amazing natural wonders, Costeau says. "With our great team of naturalists, I am certain we will be able to give guests an amazing experience that both enriches and educates them."

ACCOMMODATIONS

The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara 

8301 Hollister Avenue, Goleta, CA 93117 

 

The Ritz-Carlton Bacara has all the essentials of a luxury seaside resort – a spa, several infinity pools, multiple dining venues and, of course, dramatic Pacific Ocean views. The Ritz's 358 luxurious guest rooms feature gas or wood-burning fireplaces, marble showers and private patios or balconies, flat-screen TVs and complimentary Wi-Fi. When it's time for a meal, head to the oceanfront restaurant, Angel Oak, to feast on steak, seafood and more.  

FLIGHTS


Arrival

Plan to fly into the Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) in Santa Barbara, Calif., on Monday October 30 in time for our opening reception at 4:45 p.m. Board members will need to arrive before 2 p.m. on October 30 or the night before. The hotel does not have a shuttle service. You can take a cab, Lyft or Uber. The price varies between $20 to $40 per car. L&L Transportation provides a car for $168. It's a 15-minute ride to the Ritz-Carlton Bacara. 

 

The following airlines fly into Santa Barbara Airport: American Airlines, Delta, Spirit, Jet Blue, Frontier, Hawaiian, Qatar and Southwest. 

 

Departure 

Plan your departing travel arrangements for any time on Friday, November 3. L3 has no programming planned for this day. 

REGISTRATION

Early registration ends on September 15.

  • $3,875 per person, double occupancy (plus 3% convenience fee if paying with credit card)
  • $4,785 per person, single occupancy (plus 3% convenience fee if paying with credit card)


Deposit of $1,000 holds your spot and secures early registration discount.  

Deposits are refundable until August 1 minus a $35 administration fee.


Registration after September 15.

  • $4,375 per person, double occupancy (plus 3% convenience fee if paying with credit card)
  • $5,285 per person, single occupancy (plus 3% convenience fee if paying with credit card)

Registration includes:

  • Most meals beginning with dinner on Monday, October 30 through dinner on Thursday, November 2. Dinner on Tuesday and lunch on Thursday are not included.
  • Hotel accommodations
  • All scheduled activities and transportation to those activities

Resort Activity Package that includes these resort amenities:

  • Wireless, high-speed internet access in guest rooms and common areas
  • Daily, one-hour access to private, professional grade clay tennis courts, including rackets, tennis ball machine use and 30-minute tennis clinic
  • Daily water aerobics classes, including water aerobics equipment
  • Daily bike rental for a maximum of two hours per day
  • Guided beach walk
  • Press Reader, an easy-to-use app offering unlimited access to your favorite newspapers and magazines
  • Daily, one-hour yoga class including mat

L3 COVID POLICY

Attendees need to be fully vaccinated as recommended by the CDC guidelines. You no longer need to send proof of your vaccinations. Anyone with cold symptoms will be required to wear a mask whenever they are with the group. 


 

MOBILITY

  • Channel Cat - This is an on-and-off bus and catamaran tour with limited walking. While this is a very smooth riding vessel, if you suffer from motion sickness we suggest you take medication prior to boarding.
  • Channel Island private charter - You should be able to walk 6 miles within 2 hours to consider this 8-hour excursion. The boat ride to the island is 2.5 hours each way.
  • Lotusland Botanical Garden - This is a mostly paved walking trail garden. You can go at your own pace and turn around whenever you please.
  • E-bikes - These are easy to pedal because the electric motor helps you, but they require good balance.
  • Wine tour - This is an on-and-off bus tour with limited walking.