Back by popular demand, Yelp's Field Trip bus zoomed into South Bay last week for six days of classes, tours and workshops! Here's our CliffNotes on what went on south of San Francisco from October 13-19, 2013.
Segways in Santa Cruz @ Segway Santa Cruz
Offering the first guided tours using Segways in Santa Cruz County, Segway Santa Cruz was the perfect local biz to kick off our week of learning. Whether you are a native to Santa Cruz or just visiting, Segway Santa Cruz Tours offer a one-of-a-kind experience you'll want to share with family and friends… Tours are limited in size so you can count on a great, intimate experience.
15 Yelpers got to try their hand at 30-minute tours in the Segway Santa Cruz parking lot on a sunny afternoon. There was a mini course set up for them to drive thru, and two different types of motorized transportation to sample: traditional Segways as well as Robstep. Check out this sweet video taken that afternoon!
"I know SOME people may disparage the goofy Segway as a mode of transportation seemingly tied forever to the humble mall cop, but I'm an Arrested Development fan. If Segways are good enough for my favorite Bluth illusionist, then they're exactly the sort of thing I need in my life. And the Segways themselves are ridiculously addictive. We were out "kicking butt" on the cone course in no time." – Hayley I
Learn to Dance Like the Stars @ Cheryl Burke Dance
Plenty of people love watching "Dancing With the Stars", but 75 Yelpers had the opportunity to learn salsa and swing from the experts.
Founded by Emmy Award nominee and two-time DWTS champion Cheryl Burke, their progressive teaching techniques, innovative dance studios and experienced instructors will help you dance with passion, artistry, and romance while you stay fit and have fun! Cheryl Burke Dance Mountain View is one of the largest and most popular dance studios in Northern California. It is conveniently located just off Hwy. 101 between San Jose and San Francisco in Mountain View, California.
"The BF and I used to take classes at Starlite Ballroom and after they collaborated with Cheryl Burke and moved to Mtn View, we just haven't had the opportunity to come by and check it out. This Yelp field trip gave us a reason to finally make it out to Cheryl Burke. From my experience as a former dancer and student of Ballroom Dance, the instructors here are top notch." – Marlyn A
Tour & Tasting @ Hermitage Brewing Company
Whomever said South Bay doesn't have delicious craft beer is crazy! 40 Yelpers had the opportunity to tour a San Jose brewery. And of course, taste several different beers at the end, paired with Pretzel Crisps!
Established in 2009, Hermitage Brewing Company started when Tied House closed down its iconic downtown San Jose location in mid-2009. All the brewing equipment was transferred down the road to South 7th Street, where Hermitage is today. Hermitage Brewery is becoming widely recognized for its Hoptopia, Maltopia, Ale of the Imp, Single Hop "H" Series IPAs, and craft soda brands. In 2011, Hermitage took four Gold Medals at the California State Commercial Craft Brewers Competition. Celebrator Beer News awarded One Door Quadrupel with four out of five stars in 2011, and Hoptopia DIPA four out of five stars in 2012.
"I really enjoyed the tour as Hermitage is unique amongst breweries in that they produce for other breweries too. I found the head brewer to be quite knowledgeable and I learned some things I did not learn at other brew tours." – Jack T
Elite Event: Gym Class for Grown Ups @ Club One Silver Creek Sportsplex
Fitness isn't always just about losing weight or bulking up. It's about your overall well-being. What you're eating, how all your body parts are working together, even how you manage stress — they're all part of the big picture, and it's a picture that's uniquely yours. Even if you have just an hour a day to yourself (and even that may seem like a luxury!), your local Club One health club is the one place where you can escape and just focus on you – your time, your goals, your health.
South Bay Elites who attended this private event didn't have to worry about wearing a uniform, the smell of stinky socks or those awkward group showers… heck no! Club One made the experience 5-stars all the way, offering a selection of classes or the "open club" experience to test out the various facilities. Not to mention the complimentary chair massages,use of the posh locker rooms (including sauna!), Elite 2013 tube socks, Club one raffle, 7-day passes to return to any Club One in the Bay Area, Superflibooks and post-workout snacks.
"I'm really glad I checked out this event. I was really impressed by the facility overall – great classes, equipment, locker rooms, and staff hospitality. I'm actually looking at my bank account right now and trying to figure out how to fit a Club One membership into my budget. Once you've experienced the luxury of Club One, you can't go back to your dinky, crowded gym" – Nancy N
"Club One is luuuux. It doesn't have a "gym smell" because (aside from constant cleaning and upkeep), they apparently pump a signature scent throughout the club ala Las Vegas casinos! Aside from the great surroundings, the club has a lot of fitness classes (most free with membership, some fee-based), a pool, pimp locker rooms, and an in-house spa! Tell me you're not saying, "Ooohhh yeah, I can torture my fat cells in style!" – Moo S
Demo & Tasting @ Sharona's Chcoloate Shop
Sharona's Chocolate Shop was founded by Sharona Sasounian in 2008. With a true love of unique creations, nothing is out of the box. From chocolate covered bacon to sea salt caramels or chocolate covered potato chips…. You need a chocolate size 6 shoe made? No problem! Sharona makes caramel chocolate covered caramel apples made right in front of you, chocolate dipped brownies, strawberries and more. Winner of best party and wedding favors in 2009 by Bella Publishing.
A group of 40 lucky Yelpers got chocolate wasted inside Sharona's back party room. We're talking platters of homemade truffles, cauldrons of melted chocolate set up for dipping marshmallows, Oreos, strawberries and anything else you wanted to cover in cocoa goodness. After we ate ourselves sick, Sharona hosted a few demos, includig her famous chocolate covered salted caramel apples!
"Sharona's Chocolate Shop was an undiscovered treasure in San Mateo for me! Great little setup nestled in the back kitchen. So happy to have come hungry too. The amount of chocolate I consumed was borderline reckless. I have never been a fan of candy apples, but her Apple Pie candy apple transcends the category." – Gabe R
Farm Day + Potluck @ Veggielution
Veggielution is a community farm that empowers youth and adults from diverse backgrounds to create a sustainable food system in San Jose. Our urban farm engages the community by providing access to healthy and local food, creating leadership opportunities, and developing creative solutions to social and environmental justice issues. We recognize that the Santa Clara Valley, its soil, ecosystem, and watershed are important resources for future generations.
During our Yelp Field Trip event, volunteers helped with various gardening tasks such as planting, weeding, composting, harvesting, and more. Their reward for such hard work? Produce to take home as well as a picnic with their fellow community members!
"I really am very glad Yelp had me along for the Yelp Field Trip to Veggielution! I definitely think it's a place I will be going back to sometime in the near future and may try to volunteer there at least once a month or so! We Yelpers donned our least finest to go help out on the farm for the morning. We ended up pulling out non-native plants and learning about Veggielution. So cool for foodies who like to know where their food comes from! And of course, I got to meet some cool people who aren't afraid of dirt." – Kes D
Read all of the Field Trip 2013 reviews from across the Bay Area! Field Trip is a special promotion that local Community Manager organize to show off the "behind the scenes" of a great local business… Yelpers are curious folks, why not provide a hands-on experience?
Until our next series of UFC events, See You On Yelp!
Abby S, Community Manager and Shirene N, Marketing Assistant
