Press Information
 

Press Release:

Carpinteria Valley Chamber of Commerce
Contact: Lynda Lang 684-5479

“CARPINTERIA NATURALLY” TOUR PACKAGE

 Carpinteria, California—For the very first time, visitors are invited to explore “Carpinteria Naturally”--an exclusive tour package to experience an insiders view of previously “not open to the public” gardens, nurseries and natural history in the area. “Come enjoy nature and be nurtured in our friendly Southern California beach community,” says Lin Graf, CEO of the Carpinteria Valley Chamber of Commerce, the sponsor of this unique tourism promotion created by Chamber members in hospitality, floriculture and agriculture. “The Carpinteria Valley is secretly famous for providing millions of the blossoms that beautify the world and produce that feeds it. Come see how that’s accomplished,” enthused Graf.

 The Carpinteria Naturally Tour Package is only offered one weekend per month in December 2002 and January, February, March, April and May 2003; and includes:

            ¨      Friday & Saturday night hotel accommodations (includes hotel tax) Choice of Comfort Suites Hotel or the Best Western Carpinteria Inn (includes complimentary continental breakfast Saturday morning)

            ¨      Board private motor coach on Saturday for guided tours of: 

Ø     Gallup & Stribling Orchids—America’s largest Orchid Farm

Ø     Hollandia Produce—home of hydroponic “Live Gourmet” foods

Ø    Island View Tropical Nursery

Ø    Ever-Bloom Nursery

Ø    Salt Marsh Nature Walk

Ø    Carpinteria Valley History Museum visit

Ø    Gourmet picnic lunch

Ø    Welcome packet with maps and discount coupons.

The tour package is priced at only $349 per couple including hotel tax. (Children ages 12 & up, add $50 in same room as parents). Advance reservations with full payments are required 7 days prior to tour. VISA/MC are welcome. Contact the Carpinteria Valley Chamber of Commerce by phone toll-free 1-800-563-6900 ext. 12 or 805-684-5479 ext 12. Capacity is limited, so early reservations are very important.

The tour package is a pilot program and is designed to bring visitors to Carpinteria in the “off season”.  “We mean a complete package program” explains Graf, staying at one of the hotels for the weekend is part of the package.  However, if the tour is not filled seven days prior we will open it up to local visitors not staying at one of our hotels, for a reduced rate.  Call for information and to be put on the reservation list on a first come bases.

Carpinteria is located 80 miles up the coast from Los Angeles and 12 miles south of Santa Barbara with a mild year-round climate favored by growers of flowers, plants and produce as well as year-round visitors. The community hosts the California Avocado Festival each October in celebration of this popular green fruit. Carpinteria beaches have been rated in the world’s Top 10 by “Dr. Beach” and enjoys the reputation as one of the world’s safest. In 1769, Spanish explorers found the native Chumash Indians crafting redwood canoes on the beach and named the village “La Carpinteria”--the carpenter’s shop. For more information on Carpinteria, access www.carpchamber.org or for the Tour specifically: www.carpchamber.org/naturally