Headquarters for the 2009 INTS/NNS meeting are located at Fess Parker's DoubleTree Resort at Santa Barbara, California. The DoubleTree and most other INTS/NNS hotels are located on Cabrillo Blvd., across from the beach; an additional hotel is located on or close to State Street, which runs through the center of Downtown.

Hotel information and locations are indicated on the Santa Barbara Hotel Map

Tracing its history back to the Spanish settlements of 1602, Santa Barbara's heritage is evident in its white-washed, tile-roofed buildings and Spanish street names. Of special interest are its Mission, "Queen of the Missions", founded in 1786, the County Court House, the Museum of Art, the Museum of Natural History, and the zoo. Ten miles (16 km) north is the University of California at Santa Barbara. Many attractions and excellent shopping and dining are within walking distance of the hotels. Scheduled public transportation connects INTS/NNS's hotels with downtown and surrounding sites.

Santa Barbara is 100 miles (160 km) north of Los Angeles airport (LAX) and is also served by several airlines to its own airport. It is a 2-hour drive from Los Angeles along the scenic Pacific Coast Highway or via the freeway system.

Santa Barbara Airbus runs scheduled shuttle buses to and from LAX (every 2.5-3.0 hrs between 8:00 AM and 11:00 PM @ $44 (prepaid) to $48 per person/one way. Call SB Airbus 800-423-1618 (www.sbairbus.com ) for information and reservations. The DoubleTree offers complimentary pick-up/drop off from Santa Barbara airport (for reservations, please contact Guest Services at the DoubleTree directly at 808-884-8528).

Most INTS/NNS hotels have heated swimming pools. Several have restaurants. In addition, the DoubleTree has 3 lighted tennis courts and a fitness center. Activities, including strolling Santa Barbara's waterfront, city trolley tours, biking, golf, horse back riding, sailing and deep-sea fishing, abound. Sight-seeing and buffet dinner at the Santa Barbara Zoo with its spectacular ocean views is planned as an optional event for Tuesday evening (purchase tickets in advance using the Registration Form).

A program of optional tours has been developed by Destination Designers, as outlined on the accompanying Tour pages. Of special note, for the free Thursday afternoon, are the Santa Ynez Valley Winery Tour and the Santa Barbara Coastal Sail. You can sign up for any of these tours on-line by completing the Tour Registration Form.

September in Santa Barbara is generally sunny and dry with tempera­tures ranging between 76 ° F (26 ° C) and 55 ° F (12 ° C). Dress style is casual. A sweater or jacket is recommended wear for evenings.

Click here for the current weather forecast

Within One mile

of the resort

• Stearns Wharf, the oldest working wharf on the West Coast, housing restaurants, galleries, and shops

• Santa Barbara Zoo, featuring a variety of animals from around the world, along with a petting zoo and train ride

• The Sunday Arts and Crafts Fair in Chase Palm Park-an outdoor exhibit of local artists

• Sailing charters, jet-ski rentals, kayak rentals, deep-sea fishing excursions, and other ocean activities.

• Whale watching…see the migration of the gray whales traveling north through the Santa Barbara Channel to their feeding grounds in the Bering Sea

• Farmer's market - a variety of local growers sell everything from flowers to fruit at this local favorite

• Beach volleyball practice and tournament courts across the street on East Beach

• Chase Palm Park, featuring a one of a kind Carousel for all to enjoy

Within a ten-minute drive

• Mission Santa Barbara, the Queen of the California Missions

• Santa Barbara Courthouse, with mission-revival-style architecture

• El Paseo Shopping Center. Originally an adobe ranch, now turned into a shopping enclave with courtyard restaurants

• Santa Barbara's Historical Society Museum, housing treasures from Santa Barbara's colorful past, covering three eras-Spanish, Mexican, and American Cruises and sailing available in sailboats, safari boats, or catamarans. Tour the wharf and harbor, through coastal areas, or out to the Channel Islands

• Carriage Museum , housing a unique collection of horse-drawn carriages, some dating back over 300 years
  
• The Santa Barbara Museum of Art , one of southern Californiaxs finest art museums, features nationally recognized collections and special exhibitions of international importance.
  
• Museum of Natural History , featuring mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, plant life, and the geology of the Pacific Coast and Channel Islands
  
• La Cumbre Plaza and Paseo Nuevo …Santa Barbara's outdoor shopping malls
  
• Glen Annie Colf Club is one of several local championship golf courses in the Santa Barbara area.
  
• Santa Barbara County Bowl featuring a wide variety of top entertainment
  
• Hiking-Santa Barbara offers a number of unique and exciting trails offering great exercise and beautiful scenery.

Within an hour drive

• Los Olivos, an up-and-coming art community, featuring galleries specializing in Western and Indian Art
  
• Santa Ynez Wine Country, with over 30 wineries available for tours and evening events
  
• Solvang, a tiny Danish community with quaint boutiques and wonderfully authentic bakeries

• The Chumash Indian Casino, offering blackjack, poker, and slots
  
• Rancho San Marcos Golf Course, rated one of the top ten new golf courses in the country 
  
• Horseback Riding. Enjoy views of the canyons, ocean and Channel Islands