
What we’re about
Santa Barbara Social is intended to be welcoming and inclusive to all.
Activities will be local, regional or long distance. The common thread will be a focus on doing whatever activity as good decent social fun.
Come find out
Meetup is about helping people new to town make friends as well as those not so new in town.
What or where is "The Central Coast?"
It includes: Avila Beach, Baywood-Los Osos, Beach Cities, Capitola, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Carpinteria, Catherine Hill Bay, Central Coast, Ettalong Beach, Gosford, Greengrove, Grover Beach, Half Moon Bay, Hollister, Jilliby, Killcare, Lincoln City, Marina, Monterey, Morro Bay, Mount White, Narara, Newport, North Coast, Ourimbah, Oxnard, Pacific Grove, Paso Robles, Patonga, Pearl Beach, Pismo Beach, Pretty Beach, San Luis Obispo, San Simeon, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Santa Maria, South Coast, Terrigal, The Entrance, Ventura, Wadalba, Watsonville, Yarramalong.
Activities for Newcomers of all ages- parties and get-togethers. Dining-in, Cheers, TGIF, outdoor life, camping, walking, hiking, trekking, kayaking, cycling, sailing
Other things like shared interests including gardening, performing arts, local heritage, food & wine, travel and more.
Come get social with us
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Bali & Singapore: Elephant Sanctuary - Scenic Beaches - Urban EleganceLos Angeles International Airport, Los Angeles, CA
Two destinations combined in one awesome Meetup trip! Come along on an incredible journey for 7 days in Bali and 3 days in Singapore!
We designed this adventure especially for our Meetup group to showcase the best of both destinations, from the beauty of Bali’s nature to the bustling city of Singapore, all while connecting with fellow travelers who share our passion for exploration. Breathtaking landscapes, rich culture, and unforgettable experiences await!
We will visit:
· Ubud
· Kintamani with Mount and Lake Batur
· The Sacred Tirta Empul temple
· The iconic Bali Swing.
· The Sacred Monkey Forest
· Kuta
· The stunning Uluwatu Temple
· Taro’s Elephant Park
· SingaporeWe will Experience:
· Shirodara Massage with hot oil, herbs and flower baths
· A close encounter with elephants in their sanctuary
· Kecak Balinese dance show
· The Gardens by the Bay in Singapore
· A Night Safari in the tropical jungle
· Iconic landmarks like Merlion Park, Thian Hock Keng Temple and Singapore’s ChinatownLand Tour cost $3640 per person, double occupancy
(we match roommates for those wishing to share)
Solo occupancy an additional $790
***International airfare not included***A $350 deposit will guarantee your spot for this awesome Meetup Adventure:
CLICK HERE for secure deposit link
***Your deposit is fully refundable up to 90 days before the departure***Upon submitting the deposit, please fill out THIS FORM:
What’s Included:
· 9 Nights’ Accommodations – Ubud, Kuta & Singapore
· A flight from Bali to Singapore
· 9 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 Dinners
· Naturalist Guide (during activities)
· All activities listed
· All transportation during the tour
· Airport Transfers to/from hotel (in/out)What’s Not Included:
· International Airfare
· Optional excursions
· Travel insurance (highly recommended)
· Personal expenses
· Meals not listed in the itinerary
· TipsRSVP to the event to receive additional info
OR
Message me, Ekaterina, directly. I will be happy to answer all your questions and help with arranging the airfare too.
OR
Click Here to fill out our google info request form to receive detailed itinerary on this or any of our other international adventuresStill have questions?
We do a monthly Q&A Travel Zoom on all our events
https://www.meetup.com/moretoexplore/events/296044209/
Come to the zoom and ask any questions. Great way to get the info you want without all the other fluff. As well as meet us and other attendees.We believe in good decent social. This event is cross posted to several other groups and the number of RSVPs on each is not reflective. We have a set of sister groups where we post our local free, local/regional camping, and our overseas events too.
Click Here to see all our other fun eventsSOT 2000318-10
- Featured International Meetup Trips for 2025 & 2026Link visible for attendees
This Zoom Overseas Q & A is a monthly event.
Video Link: https://meet.google.com/irp-rnyi-fgb No software or download needed. Just open in a browser.
The date gets moved right before the event occurs. This way all the links posted to events keep working.
We have some truly EPIC Overseas events ahead. And Epic Adventure leads to Copious Questions.
To solve that . . . Let's Talk! Join us for a Q & A Zoom where you can ask all your Q's and get all your A's.
SCHEDULE
6:00 to 7:30pm PST is Q & A about our Overseas Events.
Such as Costa Rica, Japan Fall Colors, Angkor Wat, Everest Base Camp, Meetup On The Orient Express, Machu Picchu, Spain and Portugal...7:30 to 9pm PST Is about camping stuff. Newbie Q's. Gear. Food. Camping Tips.
Including Q & A and about specific local trips/events.Click Here for the The Local Events and Beginner Camping ZOOM event
To join the zoom FILL OUT THIS GOOGLE FORM and/or RSVP to this event. We will email direct on the day of, to remind you.
What to talk about? Most of the convo will be on the following:
Sep 12, 2025 Bali & Singapore Journey (filled)
Oct 12, 2025 Jordan: Dana to Petra Trek with Wadi Rum (filled)
Oct 19, 2025: Petra to the Pyramids. Dead Sea, Sphinx & Nile (filled)
Nov 27, 2025 Catalina & Ensenada -- Thanksgiving Weekend Cruise
Feb 20, 2026 Northern Lights. A Scandinavian Odyssey!
Feb 28, 2026 India's Golden Triangle with HOLI and Dubai
Mar 29, 2026 Cherry Blossoms in Japan
Jun 5, 2026 Costa Rica Eco Adventure
Jun 18, 2026 Mt Kilimanjaro Trek! One of the 7 Summits
Jun 27, 2026 Serengeti Photo Safari! Africa’s Best Wildlife Show
Jul 05, 2026 Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda
Aug 03, 2026 Alaska Inside Passage & Glacier Cruise from San Francisco
Sep 09, 2026 France Culinary Explorer! Food
Sep 20, 2026 Meetup on the Orient Express
Dec 04, 2026 Vietnam & Cambodia (with Angkor Wat)
Mar 06, 2027 Galapagos Islands Expedition
Apr 25, 2027 Everest Base Camp Yoga Trek:To receive detailed itinerary on ANY of our events . . . CLICK HERE to fill out our google form.
Our events are all very safe, fun, curated, and organized.
Questions about Hotels, Flights, Meals, Museums, Power Plugs, Converters, Money Conversion or whatever!!
All the folks currently signed on to our events are invited to come and ask all the Q's and get all the deets they want to. They will also get them in writing too, but we know a lot of folks rather a face and voice compared to an email. It's that whole human interaction thing!
**To join the zoom FILL OUT THIS GOOGLE FORM **We will email direct on the day of to remind you.
- The Dana to Petra Trek w/ bonus of Wadi Rum. A Jordan Discovery Adventure.Los Angeles International Airport, Los Angeles, CA
Our Meetup group is off on another thrilling hiking adventure to exotic faraway lands! This time, we are trekking in Jordan, where breathtaking views of sandstone cliffs, narrow gorges, and vast plains unfold against the backdrop of the Great Rift Valley.
The Dana to Petra trek, also known as the Dana Wadi Trail, is one of Jordan's most renowned hiking experiences. It takes us through a diverse range of landscapes, offering a mix of natural beauty, historical significance, and cultural encounters.
The trek begins from Dana village, a charming and ancient small town, known for its stone houses and traditional architecture. It is located in Jordan's largest nature reserve - Dana, which also gives the name of the trek. The Dana Trail spans a variety of ecosystems, from lush woodlands to arid desert.
In addition to the amazing hiking experience, our Meetup trip provides a unique cultural exposure. We will have the opportunity to interact with local Bedouin communities and even stay in a Bedouin camp, experiencing their hospitality, traditional food, and way of life.
The trek culminates in the ancient city of Petra, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Entering Petra from the "backdoor" via the Monastery (Ad Deir) is a unique experience, offering a less crowded approach to this iconic archaeological site.
The actual trek from Dana to Petra covers approximately 50 miles and it will take us 6 days. The trek is considered moderately challenging, with some sections requiring good physical fitness due to rugged terrain and long distances.
The whole trip, however, is 12 days as we are spending some time sightseeing and visiting some of the amazing tourist spots of Jordan. In addition to Petra we will see Amman, Madaba, Mt Nebo, Dead Sea and Aqaba at the Red Sea.
Limited size to 24 attendees total. This trip will fill up extremely quickly.
Price per person, double occupancy: $3990
(we match roommates)
Single Supplement $710 or total price for a solo accommodation: $4700
The only way to secure your spot is a $350 deposit
Click Here for Secure Deposit LinkDeposit is refundable up to 90 days before the departure (less PayPal fees).
Click Here and Fill out this Form if you are making a Deposit******Airfare from/to the US is not included********
Message direct to Anna (flights and itinerary)
Message Direct to Marc (trekking and trip information)Inclusions:
· Meet & assist at Amman International Airport and arrival and departure transfers
· 10 Nights accommodation at hotels and camping sites
· Meals as described in the itinerary
· Transportation except during the hike
· Entrance fees as per the program
· Professional Archaeological Licensed English-Speaking Guide through all touring days only
· Professional Licensed English-Speaking Hiking Guide during hiking days (6 days: day 3 – day 8)
· 6 Full day Camping equipment, such as tent, mattress, blankets, water, bathroom, showers, 3 meals a day, luggage transfers
· Bottled water every throughout all days
· 3 hours tour in Wadi Rum by the open Bedouin
· Portage at Airport & Hotels.
· All applicable taxesWe offer a 9-day optional extension to Egypt: Pyramids, Sphinx, Nile cruise & more. CLICK HERE FOR INFO.
For people who are not interested in the hiking option, we have a regular trip (not involving hiking) from Petra to the Pyramids, with Nile Cruise. CLICK HERE FOR THIS OPTION.
Have more questions?
Click here to message Anna
Click here to message Marc
AND/OR
Come to our monthly Q & A Zoom on all international trips we offer. Meet others attending, be social, or come and get any questions answered.
AND/OR
Fill out this form: Click Here for our Overseas Trip Request Form for more info on this or any of our international events.We believe in good decent social. We have a set of sister groups we post our local free, local/regional camping, and our overseas events too.
Click Here to see all our other eventsSOT 2000318-10
- 🅲🅰🆃🅰🅻🅸🅽🅰 & 🅴🅽🆂🅴🅽🅰🅳🅰 Thanksgiving Weekend Cruise 2025Carnival Cruise Terminal - Long Beach, Long Beach, CA
This is our Annual Ensenada Thanksgiving Cruise.
The 4-day Thanksgiving weekend can be sometimes too long and too boring if you are stuck at home. So why not get out of town and have a blast?!
This will be DIFFERENT from previous years. We will be on a 4-day cruise & INCLUDE A DAY IN CATALINA AND A DAY IN ENSENADA!!!!
AND WE ARE LEAVING ON THANKSGIVING!!
Best Thanksgiving EVER . . .No dishes!!
Perfect for folks with no family in town.
AND
Perfect to take the whole family out of town!!
We've all got Thurs to Sun totally off . . . So let's make the most of it.
Thanksgiving can seem a long way off . . . We have been doing this cruise for 5 years now. And each year it fills up months in advance!
Check the photo gallery with past pix from previous trips https://photos.app.goo.gl/b7ebjhUuL7bajLhb7
As a group, we have negotiated a special price.
The cost is $602 Per Person TOTAL FOR 4 NIGHTS (all in) including taxes and port charges. (many places give you a false price not including taxes, and port fees). Rate is guaranteed only if you make a deposit.
The deposit is only $190 and it is refundable (less PayPal fees) until Sep 01, 2025
CLICK HERE to make a Deposit:The $602 per person (total all in) gets you an interior cabin, double occupancy (share).
Get a friend and come along. OR come Solo. We do the roommate matching so you can get the share price and save!There are upgrades to balcony cabins or single occupancy. CLICK HERE TO SEE OPTIONS
Space is limited and only an RSVP ACCOMPANIED WITH A DEPOSIT will guarantee your spot.
The deposit is only $190 and it is refundable (less PayPal fees) until Sep 01, 2025
CLICK HERE to make a DepositAfter Paying the deposit be sure to CLICK HERE and fill out our ATTENDEES INFO FORM to let us know what cabin accommodation you want.
There are PLENTY of cruises on Meetup. Ours is decidedly different and not like the others.
The boat (ship) has all the things that make a cruise ship fun
- 9-hole mini golf course
- WaterWorks (waterslide park)
- Tropical resort-style pool
- Serenity Retreat area.
- Casino
- Comedy shows
- Stage shows
- Bars
- Nightclubs
- Dancing
- Live music
- Spa type services
- . . . and more.
BUT...as a Meetup we get special treatment. We will get reserved seating together for the formal dining room.
ALSO
We will be doing our own activities on the boat, such as a scavenger hunt and an Open Bar Cocktail Hour. That's right . . . open bar . . . on a cruise ship!!
AND
Best of all a great group of like-minded people from our Meetup, ready for play and have fun!Schedule:
Thu: Long Beach (Los Angeles) 04:00 PM
Fri: Catalina Island 08:00 AM 05:00 PM
Sat: Ensenada 08:00 AM 05:00 PM
Sun: Fun Day At Sea
Mon: Long Beach (Los Angeles) 08:00 AMOn the 2nd night we get a Cocktail Mixer with an OPEN BAR (unlimited drinks). We will also have a formal dinner and dress in our fineries.
The BEST part are OUR shore excursions in Ensenada. And this is what will make our Meetup and this cruise different from others.
Totally optional if you want to join us! We will have our own coach and driver for our shore excursion and we will do:
- Zip Line Canopy Tour
- ATV
- Horseback Riding
We have enough time there for you to do any two.
The best way to see what it's like is to check the gallery with past pix from previous trips https://photos.app.goo.gl/b7ebjhUuL7bajLhb7
But wait!!! How about some wine? We will visit Santo Tomas historic Winery for a tour and tasting! An olive oil tasting too! We will also have time to visit to Anthony Bourdain's Favorite Street Food Cart for some ceviche!
Since we are organizing our own excursions we will be able to save from the ones offered by the cruise line.
This is an all-around great way to spend the Thanksgiving weekend.
And...this is NOT like the other meetup cruises you see.Come join us for the fun and adventure!
Question: Is this for Singles? Or Couples? Or Families?
Answer: This is for everybody. Kids are welcome. It's about people, not your relationship status, sexual preference or age. All are welcome! We will be a good size bunch so you will find folks you would hang with.
CLICK HERE for Main link for this event. RSVP there to get any conversations and discussions.
Have questions? Click here to Message Anna direct
We do a monthly Q & A Zoom for all our international trips, including this one.
Click Here to RSVP to our Zoom
Meet others attending, be social, or come and get any questions answered.We believe in good decent social. We have a set of sister group we post our local free, local/regional camping, and our overseas events too.
Click Here to see or join our other events
SOT 200318-10
Live the adventure instead of only dreaming it!