Renaissance Weekend

On a 150-foot bluff, the Ritz-Carlton's serene, garden-like retreat, honored for environmental sensitivity and impeccable service, is consistently ranked among the world's premier travel destinations.

For more than a century, Laguna has been Southern California's most celebrated seaside artist haven, stretching along a seven-mile scenic coastline and enjoying year-round picture-postcard weather.  The immediate site, Dana Point, was named after Richard Henry Dana, the sailor and author of "Two Years Before the Mast," in which he refers to Dana Point as "the only romantic spot in California."

Whale-watching, walking, biking, sailing, para-sailing, and sport-fishing complement the specialty shops and restaurants around the harbor. Indicative of the local ambiance, streets are named after different lantern colors.  

The hotel's colorful gardens and lawns, featuring Adirondack chairs, overlook the Pacific.  Rooms are outfitted sumptuously, and most have private patios or balconies with magnificent ocean views.

The surf's rhythm sets the tone for the award-winning spa, oceanfront, fully equipped fitness center, and outdoor swimming pools and whirlpools.

Use of the resort's top-quality tennis courts (and tennis rackets) -- site of a Renaissance Weekend round-robin tournament, daily yoga and Pilates classes in the oceanfront gazebo, and beach chairs, umbrellas and body boards will be complimentary to Renaissance Weekend's hotel registrants. And the daily resort facilities fee will be waived for them.

The Ritz-Carlton concierge can arrange golfing at several nearby courses, including those designed by Jack Nicklaus and Tom Fazio.  Preferred golf tee-times at Robert Trent Jones, Jr.'s Monarch Beach Golf Links, as well as shuttle service, will be extended to Renaissance participants.

Dana Point has a surfing history unrivaled beyond Hawaii.  Surfers of all ages and skill levels can receive instruction and/or venture out on this world-famous coast.

Peaceful afternoons can be enjoyed at attractions within minutes of the resort:  Mission San Juan Capistrano, a monument to California's multi-cultural history; the Ocean Institute, immersing visitors in California's storied past; the Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum; and the Bowers and Laguna Art Museums, for example.  Or participants can visit Laguna Beach's street-front cafes, galleries and crafts shops or Newport Beach's Fashion Island.

Kids may want to visit the famed San Diego Zoo, Sea World, Legoland, San Diego Wild Animal Park, California Adventure, or Disneyland -- all within an hour's drive from Laguna Niguel.

The Program

PANELS

The Weekend is comprised of hundreds of programs in which participants with in-depth knowledge reflect off-the-record on a wide variety of current issues. Lively discussion by all participants is encouraged, and the tone is decidedly relaxed and family-oriented. Afternoons are set aside for recreation, and all participants are encouraged to come and go as they like.

Because panel assignments are not completed until just before the event, the Final Program is only available at Registration, which begins at 4:00 P.M. on Thursday, February 17. (However, a Tentative Draft Program will be e-mailed to all registered lead participants in late January.)

Participants are assigned roles in the program based on the information provided on the PARTICIPANT PROFILES page of your on-line registration or, if requested, on the equivalent printed form. Thus, it is most important to complete your Profile online as early as possible.

"Camp Renaissance" / Teens / College Students

CHILDREN
Camp Renaissance is an action-packed program tailored for children ages 3-12. Typical children’s programs include hands-on experiments, indoor and outdoor games, nature walks, musical performances, story-telling and arts & crafts projects. These activities are organized by the Camp Renaissance Counselors, with involvement from adult Renaissance participants whose experiences are of interest to young people. The children’s program runs concurrently with the adult program, and thus does not provide full-time child care. Camp-related costs are included in the children’s Registration Fees for the Weekend.
 

Younger Children: There is no organized program or child care provided for children under the age of three. However, younger children are welcome at Camp Renaissance programs when accompanied by a parent or other responsible adult. Participants should make arrangements for babysitters at least three weeks prior to arrival at the Weekend .  (Lists are available from the hotel Concierge.) To maximize enjoyment of the full program for the entire family, families with young children are encouraged to bring a baby-sitter or “au pair.” While there is no Registration Fee for such individuals, they are charged for one Child’s Meals Fee ($300). It is understood that they are attending solely for child care and that, if practical, they will assist periodically with Camp Renaissance. Baby-sitters and “au pairs” are free to attend programs and panel discussions designed specifically for Camp Renaissance participants.

TEENS & COLLEGE STUDENTS

Young people are welcome at all functions. Most teens and college students participate in the regularly-scheduled activities. In addition, they often have designated gathering places and their own activities and discussions. Teens and college students are usually placed on panels reflective of their interests, according to the information provided on the PARTICIPANT PROFILES.

The final agenda (available at Registration) will note programs especially for teens, other panels designed with teens in mind, and details for additional teen gatherings.

College students have traditionally integrated themselves into the adult program while also creating a strong bond during a few programs planned specifically for them.

Parents are expected to oversee their children’s and teens’ comings and goings throughout the Weekend. Renaissance Institute and Renaissance Weekend staff can assume no liability regarding children or teens.

Sports & Recreational Activities

Time will be set aside for afternoon recreation so that you may explore the infinite wonders that surround Laguna Niguel.  A town that truly encapsulates its wordly and naturally beautiful surroundings.  Laguna is Southern California's premier seaside artist haven - with quaint cottages, subtropical gardens and sandy coves, stretching along a seven-mile scenic coastline.  Artists began arriving more than a century ago - drawn by the year-round, picture-postcard weather.  Today, visitors from around the world come to Laguna Beach to enjoy the superb art galleries, restaurants, and idyllic resort atmosphere. 

Ocean Institute (1 mile)
Lantern Bay Park (2 miles)
Aliso & Wood Canyons Regional Park (5 miles)
Laguna Beach (6 miles)
Laguna Beach Art Museum (6 miles)
Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum (21 miles)
The Bowers Museum (25 miles)
Disney Land (25 miles)
Knott's Berry Farm (30 miles)
The Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace (35 miles)
LegoLand (35 miles)
Downtown Los Angeles (62 miles)
San Diego (67 miles)

La Vida Laguna - Surfing Lessons.  Surf the fabled waves of Laguna with La Vida Laguna.  They offer expert instruction, including one on one surf lessons as well as group surf lessons.  The lessons are two hours in duration and includes a wetsuit, leash, and a soft foam board - perfect for beginners. 
Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching - Advance purchase is strongly recommended. Call (800)-979-3370.                    
                                            

The Southern California's coastline is plentiful.  Some of the most popular beaches include:
Salt Creek Beach is a popular surfing beach and is located directly in front of the Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel.  A small, offshore reef creates some of the best-left swells along the entire shoreline.  Visitors can enjoy swimming, body boarding, or just relaxing in the sun. 
Main Beach, the largest stretch of beach in Laguna, is located in the heart of Laguna Beach.  The beach is mostly sand bottom with shorebreak type surf, making it popular for swimming body boarding and surfing.  There is also a boardwalk which runs the length of the beach. 
Doheny State Beach offers beautiful grassy lawns, tables and grills, as well as volleyball courts and a pristine sandy beach.  Doheny offers more than a mile of beach with some of the warmest water and best swimming and surfing in Southern California.  A rocky area at the beach's western end is perfect for divers and anglers and during low tide, the tide pools are available for exploring.

Amenities and services at the Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel include:

• Full access to The Fitness Center, showcasing a full array of fitness machines & free weights
• Complimentary daily yoga & Pilates classes in the Gazebo overlooking the Pacific Ocean
• Use of tennis courts, tennis rackets
• Complimentary beach shuttle service
• Beach chairs, beach umbrellas and body boards for the beach
• Preferred golf Tee-times at Monarch Beach Golf Links, including shuttle service and golf bag storage
• 24-hour computer access in The Private Business Centers
• Unlimited in-room high speed Internet access, wireless and hard-wired. 

The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Laguna Niguel offers a full range of services.  For additional information and spa reservations, please call the spa directly at 949-240-5020 or visit the Spa's website and book an appointment online.

Transportation & Rental Cars

Discount airfares (sometimes better than internet fares) and information regarding travel to Southern California are available from Williamsburg Travel Management at 800-673-6311. For reservations, ask for Carole and refer to Renaissance Weekend.

Airport Options include:

• John Wayne/Orange County Airport; SNA  (25 minutes/23 miles)
• Long Beach Airport; LGB  (45 minutes/44 miles)
• Los Angeles International Airport; LAX  (60 minutes/63 miles)
• San Diego Lindbergh Field Airport; SAN (75 minutes/67 miles)

A rental car is recommended.  The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel provides valet parking for all vehicles.  Self parking is not available.  There is a parking charge of $35 for each vehicle parked overnight and $15 for each vehicle parked for the day. 

Shuttle service to the Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel is available from Airport Shuttle (800-258-3826):  John Wayne/Orange County Airport ($33 + $9 for each additional passenger), Long Beach Airport ($59 + $9 for each additional passenger) and Los Angeles International Airport ($59 + $9 for each additional passenger).   For information about transportation pricing, please contact the Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel concierge desk at (949) 240-2000.

It is essential that you advise BOTH the hotel and Renaissance Weekend if you must cancel at any time! (Otherwise, you may not be eligible for applicable refunds.)

Starting and Ending Times

Registration opens on Thursday, February 17 at 4:00 P.M. (Help with Registration is most welcome from early arrivals, who are encouraged to notify the Renaissance Weekend staff of their availability.) The first program begins at 6:00 P.M. on Thursday. Please note that some Committees, including Music, Fun & Sizzle and Proctors & Moderators, meet between 4:00 P.M. and 6:00 P.M. In addition to obtaining materials at the Renaissance Weekend Registration Desk at the Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, participants will need to check in separately with their respective hotels.

The final program ends by noon on Monday, February 21. More specific advance information will be provided in the Tentative Program and other materials sent to all registered lead participants in late January.

Weather and Dress

Average winter temperatures range from daytime highs in the mid-60s to low 70s F (18–22° C) and in the high 40s to high 50s F (10–18° C) at night, though you are urged to check weather reports shortly in advance of the Weekend  (www.weather.com).  Dress is informal, resort casual.  Jeans are acceptable for day-time programs.

Meals

Conversation over meals is an important part of the Weekend, and it is assumed that all guests will participate in the Common Meals.  (Thus, only children under three are not charged for Common Meals.)  

Meals On-Your-Own:  One lunch and one dinner are “on-your own” to enable participants to enjoy Laguna Niguel.  Details will be provided in the Tentative Draft Program sent to all registered participants in late January.  For lunch and/or dinner recommendations, please consult various guidebooks, the web or the hotel concierge.

Cancellation Policies

Registration Fees will be refunded for cancellations received in writing (via fax, e-mail or mail) by Renaissance Weekend as noted below. Registrants who cancel in time to receive a full refund will nonetheless incur a $250 processing fee.

• Maximum Refund: Before December 29, 2010 (Less $250 Processing Fee)
• 50% Refund: December 29, 2010 – January 12, 2011 (Less $250 Processing Fee)
• 25% Refund: January 13 – January 29, 2011 (Less $250 Processing Fee)
• No Refund: After January 29, 2011

Common Meals and Meeting Service Charges can only be refunded if written cancellation is received by Renaissance Weekend on or before January 29, 2011.  Because “head counts” are guaranteed in advance of the Weekend, there can be no such no refund after this date, nor can there be reductions of charges for early departures or absence from meals.

Lodging deposits, refunds and payments are handled in accordance with each Hotel’s confirmation and in the Lodging section of the Renaissance Weekend registration procedures. Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel requires a deposit equal to one night’s stay. Deposits are refunded if cancellations are received in advance by the deadline noted below:

Transfer of Registration from the Presidents' Day Weekend to any of the next three Renaissance Weekends may be possible, without penalty, if notice is received in writing by December 14, 2011, and if space is available (with a transfer fee of $100).

It is essential that you advise BOTH the Hotel and Renaissance Weekend if you must cancel at any time! (Otherwise, you may not be eligible for applicable refunds.)