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 15 years of outdoor leadership experience, Michael has worked as 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. He also worked as a manager for one of California’s largest outdoor education outfitters before opening the doors of his own business, SBACo (Santa Barbara Adventure Company).

“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: 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

Years with SBACo: 7+

Education: SJSU, illustration/graphic design.

Leadership Background & Experience: Skofield Park Nature Camp Counselor-2 years, Peabody School Rec. Director-2 years Kayak, Bike guide SBACo. Surf Instruction SBACo.

Favorite Adventure trip: Costa Rica/Mexico trip 2003, 36 days.

Favorite piece of gear: My longboard.

Years with SBACo: 1+

Education: M.Ed (Higher Education & Student Development) from the University of South Florida and a B.S. in Communication Studies (Health Communication) from James Madison University in Virginia.

Leadership Background and Experience: I began teaching and leading adventure activities 10 years ago working at camps as a college student. I began working on high ropes courses and climbing walls, and gradually began leading new activities. I haven’t been able to stop since. From kayaking, white water rafting, rock climbing, caving, biking, and scuba diving, I just love exploring and experiencing beautiful places, and I love using my experience to help others enjoy it too!

For the last 4 years, I have been a full time faculty lecturer at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. I was lucky to be able to teach a Rock Climbing course each semester, and taught a Mountain Sports class in the summers in New Mexico. I loved having my summers free to travel and find new adventures.

Favorite Adventure Trip: Its hard to pick one! I’ll always love my first long trip that I took in college camping and biking around the country and exploring the Southwest and Colorado for the first time. We hiked the Grand Canyon, Zion, and Bryce canyons, mountain biked in Moab, and explored the Rocky Mountains. I’d never left the East Coast, so it was incredible to discover a new part of the country.

Other than guiding: I love traveling and exploring my new home in Santa Barbara with my husband and my dog. I am teaching at UCSB, and enjoy working with college students. I teach Pilates, Kickboxing, and a variety of other fitness classes and train both groups and individuals. I also love spending time in the Wine Country and hosting wine tasting parties!

Favorite piece of gear: A camera

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: 4+

Education: B.S. in Biology & Sociology

Leadership Background and Experience: When I was a kid I practiced on my little sisters… putting them on the luge track as toddlers, coercing them into litter pick-ups, etc. I’ve since refined my methods as a certified ropes course instructor & women’s self-defense instructor.

Favorite Adventure Trip: Sailing/hiking/diving around the Virgin Islands

Other than guiding: Hanging out with my dog

Favorite piece of gear: Ibex hoodie

Feedback  from our Guests: “I’m sure you hear this alot with Jenn but could you let the owner know that she was just wonderful to spend a day with!!  We have two teenage girls and they just loved her too.  Besides being informative, helpful, and encouraging, she was also an excellent role model for our girls and they were impacted by her more then she would realize.  We felt safe, “watched over” and she was so accommodating with tailoring yesterday to what our family would enjoy.  We had a day that far exceeded our expectations and we will definitely do something again with your company (and hopefully Jenn) and recommend you to our friends.  The lunch was delicious and exactly what we enjoy as well!  Thank you very much for a very memorable family day!”  -Pam Wright

Years with SBACo: 5+

Education: BA in History, University of California, Santa Barbara

Leadership Background and Experience: For a few years after college, I ran the education department of a state historic park here in Santa Barbara, where I designed educational programs, resources and events for visitors and outside audiences. I’m currently a kickboxing and martial arts instructor, and have a black belt in the Korean art of Hapkido. Most of my outdoor leadership skills, however, have been picked up while working for Santa Barbara Adventure Company.

Favorite Adventure: A few summers ago a friend and I spent six weeks backpacking through Europe. Every day there was an adventure.

Other than Guiding: I like being in the water, training in martial arts, and just about anything that involves being outside. And I’m always up for learning new things…

Favorite Piece of Gear: My surfboard

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: 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: BA Geography UCSB, BA Film and Media Studies UCSB

Leadership Background and Experience: I started leading trips for SBACo in 2008, and before then I was a camp counselor at the beach for three summers where I taught kids ocean safety and surfing skills.

Favorite Adventure Trip: My favorite SBACo trip is kayaking through the sea caves on Santa Cruz Island.  Its a fun trip, from the boat ride where we see hundreds of dolphins and whales, to the deep caves we get to explore.

Other than guiding: I like to surf, mountain bike, hike, or go motorcycle riding with friends and family.  

Favorite piece of gear: My surfboard, it goes everywhere with me.

Kenji Webb

Years with SBACo: 3+

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

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

Years with SBACo: 7+

Education: BA in Geography and Anthropology @UCSB

Favorite Adventure Trip: My favorite adventure trip would have to be trekking in Nepal. I also really enjoy the vastness and colors of the deserts in the South West.

Other than guiding . . . I love running in the creeks, surfing, riding my bike, and making art and building things.

Favorite piece of gear: My favorite piece of gear is my Gymnastik Ball because it improves balance and strength and is really fun stand on. Everyone should have one!