*** LATE INFORMATION ***

Early arrivals are welcome, but there are only a few spaces to park/camp, so email first with needs.

Talk-in on 146.52. We will be guarding this frequency from Friday 12 Noon until Saturday 9AM.

Location:

Santa Paula is an agricultural community located on Highway 126, approximately 13 miles East of Ventura (and Highway 101). From the other direction, Santa Paula is approximately 30 miles West of I-5, where the 126 intersects the I-5 at Castaic (Magic Mountain).

Rattlesnakes:

Some of the locations chosen for the remote operating positions are in VERY rural areas, so you need to be aware of the possiblity of running into a rattlesnake. They like to hide in the shade, under rocks, branches, logs or other debris, so be very careful about disturbing their environment. They will strike within a distance 2/3 of their length, which means they can get you if you're within a few feet of them.

Lodging:

There are numerous motels and hotels in Ventura in all price ranges. The Gateway Inn in Santa Paula is located approximately 1 mile West of the airport on the Peck Road exit. Camping at the airport (at the designated hangars) is permitted, and there is a large lawn next to the hangar for tent campers. Campers - please contact John Castorina prior to arrival via email, boatanchor@martasystems.com

Food:

For the MRCG event, we will have a buffet, as usual, and we are planning BBQ for the main course. For other food, there are the usual fast-food sources (visible from the Freeway exits). For something better, there is Hozy's Grill 1 mile east of the airport in the business park behind the Shell station on the 126, and there is Garmin's Irish Pub on Main Street 1/2 mile north in town.

Area Sights:

Santa Paula airport is a well-known antique aircraft base. Many hangars will be open, so please explore the airport. In town, approx 3 blocks north, is the Union Oil company museum, always with great displays, and then there is the tourist train departing downtown Fillmore for downtown Santa Paula twice daily on weekends.

For security purposes, the airport gates are locked, however, for our MRCG event, the private gate in the designated hangar complex will be opened and identified with signs and orange cones.

Exit Highway 126 at Palm Avenue, and turn south for 50 yards. Turn east on Santa Maria Street (the frontage road) and drive approximately 200 yards. Look for the driveway and open gate on the right, enter the complex and park!

Driving inside the airport is not permitted, except in the immediate vicinity of the MRCG event.