WORKSHOP VENUE

Our seminar is held at Pajaro Dunes Resort, an expansive (not expensive!) private beach and gated community, 10 miles south of Santa Cruz, California.

Setting

This resort is nestled on one of the most scenic stretches of California’s northern coastline. Beachfront townhomes blend harmoniously with the rolling ocean landscape. The facility offers two miles of sandy beach—20 miles of visible beach—complete with sea otters and shorebirds. On the property, you’ll find a lagoon, myriad avian species, gardens, eucalyptus groves, brilliant sunsets; all conducive to serenity and creativity. Sports courts and night-time beach bonfires provide recreation. Stay an extra day or two; carve out your own “paradise” retreat.

Enjoy your weekend townhome! Photo courtesy of Pajaro Dunes Resort

Lodging

Picture yourself in a beachfront townhome! Each uniquely-furnished unit comes with kitchen, fireplace, sun deck, BBQ, VCR, and a private, full bath for each of its four spacious bedrooms. Large, upstairs living rooms overlook the coast. No packed beaches here; the loudest sound is that of crashing waves, accompanied by seagulls’ kee-kee-kee.

Pajaro Dunes’ rates are lower than those of area hotels and quality motels, yet offer intimate, homestyle comfort with extraordinary views. October bargain: We’ve rented townhomes for Friday and Saturday nights, with free or low-cost options for Thursday and Sunday.

The Upcoming Workshop

For October 2011, we have rented three beachfront townhomes: CYPRESS 1, 13, and 15. These will be used for lodging, meals, and consults or breakout groups. The units are very close to each other. Numbers 13 and 15 are a few steps apart; number 1 is less than a one-minute walk. Enjoy a little fresh air and exercise between sessions!

For whole-novel consults, there are assorted tables and chairs in the kitchen, living room, dining room, and front and back decks. Faculty and writers may retire to wherever feels comfortable.

CYPRESS 1: For teens, workshop director, and two or three adult enrollees. Free lodging Thursday night.

CYPRESS 13: For 10-plus adult writers, most in spacious triples. Not all rooms face the ocean, but all living rooms and back decks do! Free lodging Thursday night.

CYPRESS 15: For faculty and whole-group meetings. Our main meeting space is in the huge living room—the web photo shows only half or less of the square footage. Lodging Sunday night $25; guests in Cypress 1 and 13 must move to this unit by Sunday noon.

Access

These townhomes are on a gentle slope. There are luggage carts beside the parking lot below the slope. There’s no handicap access per se, but they do have sidewalks instead of steps. Please let us know in advance if you are not able-bodied and may need assistance. Once you have “moved in,” there are no hills or steps between our various meeting spaces.

For more information about lodging, click here.

“Sea” you at the Dunes!