Dates: June 22–26, 2026
Location: Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics (KITP), UC Santa Barbara (Santa Barbara, CA)
Housing: San Joaquin Villages, 650 Storke Rd, Goleta, CA 93117
Travel-related#
When should I travel to the workshop?#
We plan 5 full days of programming, and provide 6 nights (arriving Sunday, departing Saturday) of accommodation, so you should plan to arrive in Santa Barbara on Sunday June 21 and leave on Saturday June 27.
Where exactly is the workshop?#
All workshop activities will be in KITP on the UCSB campus, near the lagoon and oceanfront. Most navigation apps will list “Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics” or “KITP UCSB.”
Whom to contact with travel questions?#
Email Zach Eilon ( eilon@ucsb.edu). For urgent local issues during the workshop, a phone number will be provided in the final attendee email.
How should I get to Santa Barbara?#
Air travel options:
- Santa Barbara Airport (SBA): ~5–10 minutes to campus. Most convenient. No international flights, but several links to US air hubs.
- Los Angeles International (LAX): ~90–150 minutes by car depending on traffic.
- San Francisco (SFO): ~5+ hours by car or 1+ hour flight to SBA.
- San Jose (SJC) and Burbank (BUR) are alternatives with longer drives.
Recommended: If available, fly into SBA for the shortest transit. If flying into LAX, allow a large time buffer for LA traffic (often heavy, though not terrible on weekends).
Ground options from airports: rental car, rideshare (Uber/Lyft), airport shuttles, or private car services. SBA has limited taxis; rideshare is generally reliable.
Ground transportation & parking#
- From SBA: taxi or rideshare to KITP or your hotel; some hotels offer shuttle service. Lyft and Uber both are good options. There are also local taxi companies you can look up.
- From LAX: Santa Barbara Airbus, taxi/rideshare, or rental car. Trains (Amtrak) require transfers and are much slower - avoid (unfortunately).
- Driving and parking on UCSB: Campus has paid parking lots and visitor permits. Follow posted signage for visitor parking and avoid faculty/reserved spots.
Train & bus#
- Amtrak trains serve Santa Barbara. Main station is downtown (~15–20 minutes from campus). Some Amtrak routes stop at the Goleta train station (~5-10 minutes from campus). Taxi/rideshare recommended from the station to KITP.
- Regional transit (MTD) serves UCSB; check schedules for local routes between downtown Santa Barbara and campus - there are two express buses for transit to the downtown.
Where are we staying, and how do I get to the conference every day#
Unless you indicated you wished to organise your own accommodation, you will be staying in the San Joaquin Villages shared apartment complex (shared rooms or singles, 3-4 rooms per apartment). These are located at 650 Storke Rd, Goleta, CA 93117, next to the Santa Catalina dining hall, where breakfast will be provided each morning. At 8:30 and 8:45 shuttles will be provided to KITP from outside San Joaquin - you must be on one of these shuttles to get a ride; please be there at 8:30! If you miss the second shuttle (or it is full….) then you will be walking! (1.8 miles) At the end of each day, shuttles will be provided back to San Joaquin.
What if I am traveling from overseas?#
International attendees / US arrivals
- Allow extra time for immigration and customs at your arrival airport.
- Bring passport and visa documents (if required). Check current US entry/visa requirements with your consulate well before travel.
- Currency: US dollars. Credit cards are widely accepted. ATMs available in Santa Barbara.
- Power plugs: standard US Type A/B, 120V, 60Hz.
Local logistics & what to pack#
- Time zone: Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) in June.
- Weather in late June: typically mild to warm (60s–70s°F / ~16–25°C) with cool evenings and possible marine layer (fog) in mornings—bring layers. Pack a light jacket and comfortable shoes.
- If you plan to bike, bring a helmet and lock; UCSB is bike-friendly.
What if I have accessibility concerns or special needs?#
KITP and UCSB have accessible facilities. If you have accessibility requirements (mobility, dietary restrictions, interpreter, etc.), notify organizers ahead of time so accommodations can be arranged.
Dining & groceries#
Weekday breakfasts (for those staying in the San Joaquin villages) and lunches are provided by the workshop. We hope participants will also plan to attend the catered dinners at KITP on Tu/Th, and the beach barbecue (0.4 miles walk from KITP) on Wednesday night. For Sunday/Monday/Friday evenings, participants are at their own leisure.
- Campus and surrounding areas have cafés and restaurants; options increase downtown Santa Barbara. Grocery stores (e.g., Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods) and convenience stores are nearby.
- If you have dietary restrictions, inform organizers (for conference meals).
Safety & emergency#
- In an emergency on campus, call UCSB Police/University Police at (+1)805-893-3446 or emergency services at 911
- Nearby hospitals and urgent care centers are in Goleta and Santa Barbara.