Santa Barbara Adventure Company

Owner/Director/Guide

Born and raised in Santa Barbara, Michael started Santa Barbara Adventure Company in 1998 with the goal of offering local adventures of the highest quality and led by incredible guides. In his 24 years of outdoor leadership experience, Michael has worked as a guide and trip leader for several well known outfitters in the west and abroad, always returning to his hometown between seasons.

Michael’s past leadership experience includes working as a river guide and trip leader in many of the western United States’ most loved sections of river: Idaho’s Middle Fork and Main Salmon, American, Tuolumne, Rogue and he rowed baggage on the Grand Canyon. He also enjoyed leading multiday self-supported sea kayaking trips in Belize, and spent two winters as a diving instructor and underwater vidoegrapher in the British Virgin Islands. Before opening the doors of his own business, he worked as a manager for one of California’s largest outdoor education outfitters.

“I really just wanted to show my guests this incredible and unique section of our country. Ever since I was kid I have been running in the creeks and playing in the ocean here in Santa Barbara. As I worked as a guide in equally beautiful places, I kept coming home to recharge and realized there is so much to offer travelers here as well. SBACo’s continued success comes from word of mouth and return clients. Our guides bring a huge component to the trips with their personalities, backgrounds and field experience. ‘You can always take the guide from the river but you can never take the river from the guide.”

Years with SBACo: 2+

Education: BS in Recreation Administration with an Outdoor Emphasis, from San Diego State University.

Leadership Background and Experience: I worked as a ropes course facilitator at the SDSU ARC Team Challenge Ropes Course for 2 years. I interned for Outdoor Outreach, a non-profit organization working with at-risk youth through outdoor programming. I also worked for I Love a Clean San Diego, where I delivered presentations on topics including resource conservation, waste reduction, recycling, community enhancement, and pollution prevention to youth and adults. Most recently, I spent 5 years working for the California Department of Parks and Recreation. I worked as a field biologist, environmental planner, and was also the Interpreter and Docent Coordinator at Ano Nuevo State Reserve, a major Northern elephant seal rookery. There I managed the docent program and trained the docents on how to give effective and meaningful tours and also gave tours myself.

Favorite Adventure Trip: Last October my husband and I spent 2 weeks driving the north coast of Spain. The coastline was incredible and we got some fun waves. We followed that up with a 3 week trip to Northern Baja. It’s pretty rugged, as there’s no shelter or running water where we go – but that makes it a great chance to re-center and lose track of time.

Other than guiding: I love to surf, hike with my dog, do yoga and pilates, and just explore this incredible place that I live in.

Favorite piece of gear: Any of my Moss Research Surfboards.

Feedback from our Guests: “Our guides (Brina and Erin) were so incredibly friendly and personable, I couldn’t have asked for a better experience, especially for my first time kayaking. They really helped us feel comfortable the entire way, and were so friendly. Lunch was also great, plenty of food for the group and I would definitely use the company again for future visits…It was an amazing time!” – Natalie Fijacko

Years with SBACo: 10+

Education: Brooks Institute of Photography, Associate’s Degree (Summa cum Laude) Woodbury University, Bachelor’s of Science (Magna cum Laude)

Leadership Background and Experience: AMGA certified, 1999 and 2004
Level I Avalanche certified, National Outdoor Leadership School,1998
Level II Avalanche certified, American Avalanche Institute (AAI), 1999
Level III Avalanche certified, AAI, 2000
Level III Avalanche for Mountain Guides (real-time forecasting) certified, AAI, 2001

Favorite Climbing Routes: “Wings & Stings” (5.7), Hammer Dome, Central Sierra; “Anti-Jello Crack” (5.10a), Dome Rock, Southern Sierra; “Coarse & Buggy” (5.11b), Joshua Tree National Park

Favorite Adventure Trip: Any time I’m on my telemark skis in the winter backcountry.

Favorite Piece of Gear: K2 World Piste telemark skis; Nikon 17-35mm, f:2.8 lens with D200 body

Other than guiding: Other specialties include California Natural History, adventure photography, gourmet coffee, and backyard astronomy. My photography collection is represented and distributed by World Sports Images, Ltd. (http://www.worldsportsimages.com). I am an enthusiastic member of 1% for the Planet.

Feedback from our Guests: “Matthew Finenup is easily the best outdoors instructor that I’ve had the pleasure to be tutored by in my thirty-five years of occasional outdoor adventures and sports. Besides being professional, patient, and a pleasure to be around, Matthew is fully certified by the most prestigious national climbing organization and has approximately twenty years of rock climbing instruction experience. I trusted Matthew with my life and the life of my 17-year-old son, and hope to do it again.” -Fred Wasson

Years with SBACo: 2+

Education: AA  Santa Barbara City College, BA  University of California Santa Barbara, Global Studies, emphasis in Latin America and Spanish.

Leadership Background and Experience: Adult leader with the Boy Scouts of America for 5+ years. Rockclimbing instructor at a high adventure base in New Mexico for 3 consecutive Summers.  Taught Leave No Trace camping, outdoor skills, and backpacking skills. Certified Wilderness First Responder.

Favorite Adventure Trip: Rappelling Aussie style out of hailstorms!

Other than guiding: Hiking, biking, gardening, building things, cooking, camping, making art, and showing people around Santa Barbara.

Favorite piece of gear: My Patagonia down jacket and a sleeping bag to go.

Feedback from our Guests: “The guides were fantastic (a big thumbs up for both Rachel and Ry). While we are relative novices, our guides adeptly took us into and through a number of small sea caves. The caves were exhilarating to paddle through, even if occasionally terrifying — however, we felt very safe, thanks to the quality and confidence of our guides. On top of that, our guides were enthusiastic, clearly enjoyed their work and their guests, and knew their stuff (kayaking, ecosystem, and local history).” -Leneal (TripAdvisor Review)

Years with SBACo: 5+

Leadership Background & Experience: Ryland has been surfing, kayaking and biking Santa Barbara his entire life. Guiding at Channel Islands National Park for 2+ years. Certified Wilderness First Responder.

Favorite Adventure trip: Surfing in Baja.

Favorite piece of gear: My surfboard

Feedback from our Guests: “What an amazing day! Ry, our guide, did a great job of getting me and two daughters ages 12 and 9 all surfing well. Perfect spot and great lunch. I would recommend this comapny and guide to anyone wanting to surf for the first time.” – Pillszy (TripAdvisor review)

“Ry was very patient and informative. It was a lovely excursion along the pier, beach, and marina. Ry never rushed us and was always on the lookout for our protection.” – Gina

“Ry is an extraordinary guide, a true local California boy with a permanent smile and relaxed attitude… Definitely worth the time and the money – we would highly recommend this trip!’ -SEdaca (Tripadvisor review)

Years with SBACo: 1st year

Education: AA degree from Goldenwest College. Studied Social Science at University California, Irvine.

Leadership, Background and Experience: I have worked as a California State Park Lifeguard for the past 34 years.  Twenty-three of those years were at Huntington / Bolsa Chica State Beaches and Crystal Cove State Park where I was a Rescue Boat Deckhand, Junior Lifeguard Coordinator, Personal Watercraft Coordinator, Permanent Lifeguard and Aquatic Supervisor.  In 2000, I moved to Santa Barbara and became the Aquatics Supervisor for El Capitan, Refugio and Gaviota State Beaches. Highlights include supervising the Refugio Junior Lifeguard Program and Gaviota Hoist Program. For many years I was a competitive swimmer, bodysurfer, paddler, surf skier and dory man. I have been surfing since I was 9 years old and look forward to getting out in the water whenever I can. I also coach youth basketball and softball.

Favorite Adventure Trip: I’ve enjoyed traveling a lot in Mexico and Central America on surf trips but my favorite adventures are surf trips with my family.

Favorite piece of gear: My stand-up paddle board.

Years with SBACo: 2

Education: Pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the California Institute of the Arts in Film and Video, with a minor in Creative Writing.

Leadership Background and Experience: I grew up adventuring in the mountains of a small town in Colorado and moved to Santa Barbara in 1999. I was 12 the first time I went sea cave kayaking on Santa Cruz Island with my dad. This was an experience that I will never forget and so it is amazing that I get to share that same trip with people as their guide. I have been on several expeditions around North America, South America and Europe, exploring and learning about the area and natural habitats. I have worked with reptiles, amphibians, marine invertebrates and wildflowers. Certified Wilderness First Responder, bilingual in Spanish, volunteered at the Ty Warner Sea Center and the Rocky Mountain Biological Lab.

Other than Guiding: I love making documentaries that focus on people and the outdoors, as well as dance films, since I have been involved in the dance community for over 15 years. When I’m not guiding, making films or writing, I enjoy rock climbing, yoga, dancing, hiking, camping, mountain biking, surfing, snowboarding, traveling, family, playing the guitar and hula hooping.

Favorite piece of gear: My water bottle, since this is the one thing that I bring with me on all of my adventures and means less waste in a landfill.

Feedback from our Guests: “We had the BEST time with Santa Barbara Adventure Company! Our guide Victoria was amazing.  She was very friendly and loved to have fun. We were constantly laughing and having a great time!” -Sidney

Years with SBACo: 2

Education: Almost finished Bachelors of Science in Psychology

Leadership Background and Experience: 5 yrs Riversurfing Trip Leader in NZ, Riversurfing on 4 continents, Managed Australia’s first SUP school, Guiding canoe, kayak, ropes courses, indoor climbing, mountain biking, team building and orienteering in Australia, Whitewater kayaking in Ecuador, teaching surfing to people with disabilities, multi day hiking trips in back country NZ, SUP racing.

Favorite Adventure Trip: Working with orphaned and rescued mountain lions in Bolivia with my wife. We spent 8-10hrs per day walking, climbing, swimming and exploring in the jungle with the most amazing big cats.

Other than guiding: Growing vegetables, hiking with our dog and making wooden surfboards.

Favorite piece of gear: A helmet because it means I am doing something exciting!

Feedback from our Guests: “Kayaking with the Santa Barbara Adventure Company was the highlight of our trip this past week. Grant was our guide for the day and he did a great job. We felt very well taken care of and were well prepared for the adventure that awaited us. Our 2 kids, 8 and 10 loved every minute of it.”  – Michelle McCoy

Years with SBACo: 1st season

Education: B.A. from UCSB 2009-Global Studies

Leadership Background: Co-founder and former president of the Santa Barbara Freedivers spearfishing club; former head beach lifeguard-City of Morro Bay; recipient of Rotary Youth Leadership academic grant.

Favorite Adventure Trip: The five days I spent backpacking the “W” trail in Chilean Patagonia-agonizing at times but also incredibly rewarding.

Other than guiding: When the waves are good I’m usually surfing, but when it’s flat I spend most of my time spearfishing along the coast and at the islands. If I’m not in the water I’m usually riding my bike or hiking in the hills.

Favorite piece of gear: I’ve got two-my polarized sunglasses and a good SPF 30. Whatever I’m doing, I usually have both within arms reach.

Feedback from our Guests: “Wonderful tour guides! Ryan & Adam were informative, amiable & accommodating.” -Tre Chan

“Adam was really personable, knowledgeable and fun.” -Charity

Years with SBACo: 2

Education: BA in English with a Specialization in Eco-Criticism from UCSB, CA state-certified EMT

Leadership Background and Experience: I started leading trips working for a local family in Santa Barbara when I was 16.  I lead mountain biking trips in Sun Valley Idaho, surfing trips along the southern California coast, and a variety of other adventures ranging from the mainland to Catalina Island.  In high school I organized and directed an annual dodge-ball tournament that would donate all proceeds to a local cancer foundation.  This turned out to be an amazing experience that was rewarding in many different ways.  My favorite personal experience was a month long surf trip to South America where I was able to surf the world’s longest point break!

Favorite piece of gear: My Surfboard

Feedback from our Guests: “Our guide, Ryan, was outstanding. He was enthusiastic and very responsible, and made our trip very informative!” – Qristyne (TripAdvisor Review)

“Ryan was extremely friendly, pleasant and very attentive throughout the trip. He taught us a lot about the history of the area – very interesting. We felt like VIPs!” – NP11 (TripAdvisor Review)

“Our guides Ryan and Ry were super nice, professional and knowledgeable. You can tell they loved the park and kayaking.” -Jbellz (TripAdvisor Review)

Years with SBACo: 7+

Education: 2 classes short of a BA in business (Entrepreneur Program USC)

Leadership Background and Experience: Eagle Paragliding Chief flight Instructor, United States Hang Gliding & Paragliding Instructor Administrator, and Tandem Administrator, 2002 USHPA Instructor of the Year, Santa Barbara County Search & Rescue, Certified EMT, Team coach of the 2009 US Paragliding Team.

Favorite Adventure Trip: Guiding pilots in Valle De Bravo (Valley of the Brave) Mexico on Cross Country Paragliding flights

Other than guiding: Hiking and flying The Andes in Peru

Favorite piece of gear: Compass

Kenji Webb

Years with SBACo: 4+

Leadership Background and Experience: Surfboard Craftsman at Windsurf Hawaii, Head Lifeguard at Pt. Mugu Naval Air Weapons Station, 10 years Lifeguarding for City of Carpinteria, Manager of Ocean Recreations Center training lifeguards, instructing surfing, kayaking, snorkeling and sailing lessons. Guiding in the Channel Islands National Park since 1994.

Favorite Trip: All of them really.

Why does he like working for SBACo: I got the best co-workers in the world!

Other than guiding: Studio art and ceramics.

Favorite Piece of Gear: 9’3 Bigwave Longboard crafted by Wayne Rich, built for me for the 1993 World Longboard Championships at Haleiwa, Oahu.

Feedback from our Guests: “My husband and I loved our kayaking trip around Santa Cruz Island. Our guide Kenji was friendly, informative and sensitive to varied skill level of the group members. We’re already planning which SB Adventure Co jaunt we’ll do on our return to Santa Barbara in the fall.” -Karin, Wichita Falls, Texas

“A brilliant day learning to surf. Kenji, our guide, somehow managed to get two nervous surfing firsttimers up on the board and surfing after just one lesson. We came away from the day having learnt an amazing new skill and we were taught by a guy who loved what he did and whose enthusiasm for surfing was infectious.” -guest review (Tripadvisor)

Years with SBACo: 1

Education: UC Santa Barbara majoring in Environmental Studies

Favorite Adventure Trip: During my education at UCSB, I had the opportunity to join a study abroad program. Myself, along with about 12 other students, trekked the Indian Himalaya for 6 weeks while learning about the geological history, the local ecology, and the vibrant culture. My favorite SBACo trip has to be the Channel Islands Sea Cave Kayaking, its the best way to visit the Islands.

Other than Adventure Company:  When I am not working I am at the farmers market, at the beach, biking, hiking, or exploring other multifaceted opportunities that SB has to offer.

Favorite piece of gear: Whenever I am traveling I have to have a journal, it captures more than pictures can explain. 

Feedback from our Guests: “The office manager, Mallory, was incredibly helpful and friendly when I called with my questions and to make the reservation. She offered ample information and got us excited about our new adventure.” -Whitney

Years with SBACO: 1

Education: Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies from the University of California Santa Barbara; concentration in land use and planning law. Minor in Spanish Language, Culture and History through the UC Education Abroad Program at the Universidad de Córdoba.

Leadership and Background: Swim instructor and Lifeguard with Riverside County. Camp Counselor with the YMCA summer youth programs on Catalina Island and in the San Bernardino and Angeles National Forests.

Favorite Trip: Backpacking and hiking throughout Spain during my time abroad. The trails out there get top pick for a lot of reasons, but mostly the fresh wild asparagus and other tasty edibles growing right around you every few yards. Makes packing for lunch be a lot lighter- tasty snacks were always on hand.

Other than guiding: Competitive ocean swimming, triathlons, backpacking, day hiking, staring thoughtfully out into the distance, surfing, eating, vitamin D synthesis, camping, pottery, growing a beard and then rethinking it and relaxing with a good book or friends.

Favorite piece of gear: Flint. Only because a warm and cozy campfire with friends or a delicious hot meal- when the flint is out and in good hands, amazing stuff is coming right up. Not much can beat a good ol’ fashioned camp fire in the great outdoors.

Feedback from our Guests: “Our guide, Eric, was one of the best tour guides we’ve ever had. He was able to teach us so many interesting facts that really enhanced the experience.” – Julianna

“Ever so knowledgeable about the indigenous flora, fauna and history of the area, our guide Eric pointed out mucho nifty goodies about the area as we made our way into the Santa Ynez Valley … A perfect day, with perfect weather, a perfect guide.” – Wendy

Years with SBACo: 6+

Education: BA in History, University of California, Santa Barbara.  Working to complete an A.S. in Fire Technology

Leadership Background and Experience: Out of college, I worked for a few years in the Education Department of the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation.  Luckily, I was rescued from life in an office cube and began guiding for SBACo in 2005.  In 2006, I earned my black belt in the Korean Martial Art of Hapkido and began teaching cardio kickboxing classes in Santa Barbara.  More recently, I earned my EMT certification, and graduated from the Oxnard College Regional Fire Academy in December of 2010.  I’m now teaching fitness kickboxing in Carpinteria, helping my husband manage his machine shop, and am working as crew for the Santa Barbara Harbor Patrol.

Favorite Adventure: My three-year-old kiddo, Colten!

Other than Guiding: I’m pursuing a career in fire or as a harbor patrol officer, so much of my energy is focused in that direction.  Most of my free time, however, is spent doing fun things with my husband and son!  We love being in the water, riding bikes, hiking, spending time with friends, and just about anything that involves being outside.

Favorite Piece of Gear: My longboard

Feedback from our Guests: “The scenery was beautiful, bikes were comfortable, lunch was tasty, they picked us up at our hotel in Santa Barbara, but most of all our guide Jessica was like a family member. She was engaging, entertaining, patient and accommodating.” -Terri Stude

Years with SBACO: 2+

Education: UC Santa Cruz Graduated with Honors in Community Studies: Social Change with a focus on Youth Empowerment. SBCC: Business 101

Leadership: 5 Years with City of Santa Cruz Parks and Recs Leading Teen Center Programs, Activities, Adventures, and Field Trips. 1 Year Teaching surf lessons to Moms ages 20-50 with Toes on the Nose in Orange County.2003 Volunteer of the Year City of Santa Cruz. 2008 US lifesaving Heroic Act Award.

Favorite Trip: Mountain Biking, Wine Tasting.

Other than guiding: Playing guitar and singing (6 years of Opera). Surfing, Biking, Kayaking, Yoga. I dream of opening my own restaurant one day and singing back up in a band.

Favorite piece of gear: A nice new, warm , dry, wet suit. Its an amazing invention.

Feedback from our Guests: “Amy DiChiro! She is awesome! We did a bike/wine tour for a bachelorette weekend. Amy was awesome! Positive attitude – knew a lot about the area – and laughed with us. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide! She seemed liked she really cared about us having a great experience.” -Kate Delisa

“Amy might be the best tour guide I’ve had, I highly recommended this company and also Amy.” – Derrek Kopp