Valentine is not open in Winter. Our season is June through September
Yes, Valentine is open to researchers from any academic institution
With some exceptions. Valentine cannot be used for commercial purposes, outdoor recreation, weddings, or fundraising events. Valentine is not open to the public at most times, but please contact us at vesr@nrs.ucsb.edu for more information
If you are a university researcher, instructor or student and you are in the area for a visit associated with your teaching or research (i.e. field trip reconnaissance, writing retreat, etc.) you are eligible to submit an application and reservation to visit Valentine. If not, you are not eligible to stay at Valentine
Our first priority is to accommodate university researchers and classes, however if you are a university researcher or instructor and have dependent family members we will make every effort to meet your needs if space is available
Valentine Reserve hosts public tours intermittently during the summer season. These tours are themed and can be on wildlife, history, geology, wildflowers, birds, bears, and much more. Each tour is limited to 10 people. Check out our public tours page for more information
Our Outdoor Science Education Program consists of after-school programs, summer programs, class field trips, and virtual classes. Click here for information about upcoming classes.
We offer full and partial scholarships for those in need. If your family is facing financial difficulties, we invite you to complete our confidential scholarship application. Please contact Carole Lester – carole.lester@ucsb.edu, 760-914-3722 for an application and if you have any questions.
Yes, some of our classes will say “dual language” in the description. Those classes will have a Spanish interpreter for the entire class.
Sí, algunas de nuestras clases dirán “dual language” en la descripción. Esas clases tendrán un intérprete de español para toda la clase.
Valentine has basic first aid kits onsite as well as an AED. Mammoth Hospital is approximately 5 minutes from Valentine and can handle most emergency needs.
We provide beds, but no bedding, so please bring your own bedding (either sheets and blankets, or a topsheet and sleeping bag and a pillow). Our kitchens are fully stocked with cookware, but you will need to bring your own food
Valentine is home to a wide variety of wildlife ranging from birds to bats, small mammals (chipmunks, squirrels and rabbits are common) as well as larger mammals (mule deer, coyote and occasionally black bears).
Yes, every person visiting SNARL needs to sign our waiver
Minors are persons under the age of 18, and waivers need to be signed by the legal parents or guardians of those individuals
Yes, we offer a variety of afterschool programs, school year field trips and summer programs as well as custom programs. Please contact our Education Coordinator for more information
Only individuals with approved applications and reservations may camp at Valentine (includes sleeping in your vehicle), and only when other housing facilities are not available
We have sensitive habitats at Valentine and we prefer that you do not put up hammocks or slacklines without guidance. Please reach out to the Director to discuss your needs
The education center is ADA accessible, but none of the cabins at Valentine are ADA accessible.
We do not provide food service or catering, but you may arrange for catering services with one of several catering companies in the local area. Please contact us at vesr@nrs.ucsb.edu for more information
You must request permission in advance from the Reserve Director if you would like to have a visitor on campus. All visitors will need to be added to your RAMS reservation and will need to sign a waiver. You are not allowed to invite visitors to stay overnight in SNARL housing without advance permission from the Reserve Director, and adding those persons to your RAMS reservation.
There are absolutely no open fires allowed at Valentine.
We do not allow users to bring pets to Valentine with the exception of service animals. If you plan to bring a service animal to Valentine please contact the Reserve Director in advance of your visit
If you need to use the Valentine shop or tools please contact our Operations Manager to discuss your needs and we can figure out a plan to help you
Please reduce your speed upon entering the Valentine gate to 25 MPH or less. Please follow the signs to reduce speed to less than 15 MPH as you enter the Valentine campus. We have active elementary school education programs and there are often children onsite. We also have abundant wildlife ranging from small mammals to deer, coyotes and bears. Reduced speed helps to protect children and animals
If you have any additional questions please reach out to us at vesr@nrs.ucsb.edu
If you use the resources at SNARL for any part of your work (datasets, laboratory, housing, writing retreats, etc.) we appreciate you acknowledging Valentine in your publications. Please include Valenine’s DOI in your acknowledgement –10.21973/N3JQ0H and send us a copy of your work so that we can help to promote your research and include it in our Valentine publications database.
Drinking alcoholic beverages by individuals under the age of 21 is prohibited at SNARL. The University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) prohibits the illegal use of drugs and the abuse of alcohol on university-owned properties. Anyone found using illegal substances or abusing legal substances will be asked to leave. Please see the UCSB alcohol and drug program for more information
The University of California prohibits the use, possession and sale of marijuana in any form on all university property, including university-owned and leased buildings, housing and parking lots. Marijuana is also not permitted at university events or while conducting university business. This policy applies to SNARL and Valentine properties.
On Nov. 8, 2016, California voters passed Proposition 64 legalizing the use of recreational marijuana among people over the age of 21. It is important to understand that Prop. 64 does not change UC policy; marijuana remains prohibited on all university property including SNARL, and at all university events, except for approved academic research. Please see the UCSB policy on possession or use of cannabis products for more information.
There are trails around the reserve for hiking and many nearby hiking areas outside of Valentine, as well as skiing, mountain biking, hiking and fishing in the Mammoth Lakes area
We do not have a cleaning staff at Valentine and require all of our users to thoroughly clean housing units upon departure. Please see our cleaning checkout list here.
Please see our Rates and Payment page for more information on Rates and how to pay. We cannot accept advance payment and we will invoice you following your stay.
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