West Coast Tour: Advice

Hi all,

I am looking forward to the luxury of a driving holiday this summer (August or September) from Victoria, Canada down the west coast to San Francisco and back.

I would like to visit a few dojos along the way. I know there are so many great dojos in that part of the world, so I was hoping that the community might be able to give me some suggestions of places that are a bit special or extraordinary that I should check out. Also, if there are any outstanding seminars coming up, I would love to know. My background is Aikikai (Inaba Sensei in Calgary and Kobayashi Dojos "style") but I am open to whatever.

I know I could just search for this stuff, but I find personal recommendations to be more interesting sometimes.

Thank you if you have the time!

Conrad Gustafson
Victoria Family Aikido

Conrad Gustafson wrote: Hi all, I am looking forward to the luxury of a driving holiday this summer (August or September) from Victoria, Canada down the west coast to San Francisco and back. I would like to visit a few dojos along the way. I know there are so many great dojos in that part of the world, so I was hoping that the community might be able to give me some suggestions of places that are a bit special or extraordinary that I should check out. Also, if there are any outstanding seminars coming up, I would love to know. My background is Aikikai (Inaba Sensei in Calgary and Kobayashi Dojos "style") but I am open to whatever. I know I could just search for this stuff, but I find personal recommendations to be more interesting sometimes. Thank you if you have the time! Conrad Gustafson Victoria Family Aikido

Please feel free to visit our dojo in Bellevue, WA; we love guests. I teach Monday - Wednesday - Friday nights normally, unless I am traveling.
Aikido Eastside

Jimmy Friedman in SF.

Wow! I don't know where to begin... Lots of great choices along that route... Here are just a few:

George Ledyard in Bellvue, WA (east of Seattle)

Pat Hendricks in San Leandro, CA (south of Oakland)

Bruce Bookman in Seattle

Kimberly Richardson in Seattle

Hoa Newens in Davis, CA (west of Sacramento)

Steven Miranda in Orangevale, CA (east of Sacramento)

Julio Toribio in Monterey, CA (100 mi south of SF)

Robert Nadeau in Mountain View, CA (between SF and San Jose)

Richard Strozzi-Heckler in Petaluma, CA (north of SF)

Frank Doran in Redwood City, CA (south of SF)

Kayla Feder in Richmond, CA (north of Oakland)

Hans Goto in San Rafael (north of SF)

Linda Holiday in Santa Cruz, CA (south of SF)

Jennifer Paige Smith, also in Santa Cruz

Wendy Palmer and George Leonard in Sausalito, CA (north of SF)

...and there are so many others.

One tip: Many of these instructors either teach limited schedules, or travel extensively doing seminars. You'll do well to plan your "tour" out in advance, and confirm the various schedules. Have fun!

Clark Bateman wrote: Wow! I don't know where to begin... Lots of great choices along that route... Here are just a few: George Ledyard in Bellvue, WA (east of Seattle) Pat Hendricks in San Leandro, CA (south of Oakland) Bruce Bookman in Seattle Kimberly Richardson in Seattle Hoa Newens in Davis, CA (west of Sacramento) Steven Miranda in Orangevale, CA (east of Sacramento) Julio Toribio in Monterey, CA (100 mi south of SF) Robert Nadeau in Mountain View, CA (between SF and San Jose) Richard Strozzi-Heckler in Petaluma, CA (north of SF) Frank Doran in Redwood City, CA (south of SF) Kayla Feder in Richmond, CA (north of Oakland) Hans Goto in San Rafael (north of SF) Linda Holiday in Santa Cruz, CA (south of SF) Jennifer Paige Smith, also in Santa Cruz Wendy Palmer and George Leonard in Sausalito, CA (north of SF) ...and there are so many others. One tip: Many of these instructors either teach limited schedules, or travel extensively doing seminars. You'll do well to plan your "tour" out in advance, and confirm the various schedules. Have fun!

Gosh, it's like a who's who of my recent training experiences ( ceptin' George Sensei, whom I haven't had the opportunity).
If you were hitting it during early June you could train with
James Friedman, Bruce Bookman, Christian Tissier , (and Me, cuz I'll be there) at the San Fran Aikido Project Seminar!!! Wheeewwww Doggie!

Please get in touch if you come to Santa Cruz. Email me.

Don't forget Kayla Feder at Aikido of Berkeley in Richmond CA! And both Nadeau Sensei at City Aikido SF plus the folks around the corner at Sugnami Aikikai.

And if you are heading through rural northern California on 101, join us at Ukiah Aikido; Gayle Fillman Sensei teaches Wednesday nights.

I also forgot to mention that if you can find Ellis Amdur teaching anything, anywhere (I think he is still based in Seattle), you don't want to miss it.

Hi Conrad,

As posted by others, lots of choices. It also depends on the route you are driving. I-5 or US101/1 along the coast. S.F. is but a couple hours from the State Capitol in Sacramento. I'm in east Sacramento (Orangevale) and you are most welcome. There are also schools in Ashland, OR if driving I-5. John Fox is a friend. ((http://aikan.homestead.com))

Cheers ...

Wow, thanks for all the great ideas. I'm doing some more research online based on all of these suggestions.

Friendliness is such a positive sign. I appreciate it greatly.

Jake Wada @Quantum Aikido San Jose

www.aikidosj.com

Also we always like to have visitors in Grass Valley
@ grass valley aikiki