About Coastline :: Travel Advisors

JAY JOHNSON, President
CARLA CRITTENDEN , Group and Festival Coordinator
LEAH SMITH, Director of Sales
PATTI JENKINS, Business Development Manager
ANNE CRAWFORD, Luxury Sales Agent
LEAH BERGNER, Travel Consultant
ANN SANTILLAN , Travel Consultant
NORMA MULLIGAN, Travel Consultant
JOHN-PAUL FINE, Travel Consultant
YVONNE FARRIS, Ph.D. and WELDON FARRIS, Independent Travel Consultant
DONNA BAKER-OLSON, CTM, Independent Travel Consultant

JAY JOHNSON, President
jay@coastlinetravel.com

While working for his degree in Business Finance, Jay began working at the family owned At Your Service Travel Advisors in 1985.  When he graduated four years later, Jay decided to “stick around” a bit longer before he went off to conquer the world in a job of high finance. He realized planning vacations and incentive travel for business travelers was a fun and enjoyable profession.  And so began a long career in the travel industry.  In 1997, Jay purchased the company and changed the name to Coastline Travel Advisors.  That same year, Jay applied for and was granted membership into the elite travel organization, Virtuoso (formerly API).  Rather than focus on mass market travel packages, Jay decided the path to an enjoyable career and a healthy balance sheet, lied in the luxury travel market. 

Business has never been better and Jay has consistently ranked as one of the top producers to some of the most well known five star travel companies.  Albeit Crystal Cruises or the Four Season’s, Jay ranks as one of the top producers in the industry.

CARLA CRITTENDEN , Group and Festival Coordinator
carla@coastlinetravel.com

Carla began at At Your Service Travel Advisors in 1979, right out of college as the agency assistant bookkeeper.  From these humble beginnings, Carla has emerged as the Director of Festivals for Coastline Travel Advisors, Inc.  Carla entirely manages the annual Hawaii Invitational in Waikiki, which recently celebrated its 26th anniversary this past April.  In 1997, the Hawaii Invitational was a struggling venture that that consisted of one local high school band going to Hawaii to “compete” with other bands.  Well, it’s pretty hard to compete when you’re the only band in town.  Carla took over the reins of the Hawaii Invitational, using her incredible accounting mind, and has transformed this once dormant festival into the most exclusive, and by far the largest high school music festival in Hawaii.  This year alone, she attracted over 15 high school bands, color guard, and drill teams to the Aloha State.  Gross sales for this event well exceed $1,000,000.00 annually and has garnered the attention of major media outlets throughout the world.

It’s always a compliment when your competition begins trying to copy your success.  Over the past few years, dozens of travel companies have tried to duplicate Carla’s Hawaii Invitational model with little or no success.  While the competition flounders, the Hawaii Invitational grows.  This is a tribute to Carla and her staff of judges and assistants. 

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LEAH SMITH, Director of Sales
leah@tafaritravel.com

Leah began her travel profession while finishing up her senior year at the University California at Irvine.  As a Political Science major, Leah was fascinated by world events and decided to enter the field of luxury travel.  A travel buff herself, Leah loves to travel the world and has gone to destinations that even seasoned travelers have yet to discover.  Leah has an incredible attention to detail and has organized trips to just about every destination imaginable.  All before celebrating her 25th birthday!

What an amazing person.  Leah was originally hired to do basic accounting at the agency.  But, we quickly realized we were wasting an incredible talent.  Once Leah began planning vacations for the rich and famous, there was no stopping her.  Safaris to Africa, adventure travel to the far reaches of South America, to arranging dinner on the Great Wall of China, Leah has done it all. Ask her for a restaurant recommendation in Vienna, she’ll rattle off a half dozen based on cuisine, ambiance, and location.  She is an amazing source of information and the word is getting out.  This year, she was the number one producer of new business through Virtuoso’s Lead Business Development program.  Competing against hundreds of seasoned agents throughout the world, Leah Smith has emerged as the number one agent for Silversea Cruises.  Not only for Silversea, but for the entire program!  This is an amazing accomplishment for anyone, especially one as young as Leah.  The sky is the limit for this rising star of luxury travel. 

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PATTI JENKINS, Business Development Manager
patti@coastlinetravel.com

Patti Jenkins is an 18-year veteran of the travel industry and has worked in every aspect of this ever-changing industry. Before coming to Coastline Travel Advisors, Patti was as an independent travel consultant, and then she managed a Uniglobe franchise in Simi Valley California. In 2000, Patti negotiated the sale of this Uniglobe franchise to Carlson Wagonlit Travel in Camarillo California.  At Carlson Wagonlit, her main focus was travel business development.  It soon became clear to her that group business travel was the future of the travel industry.  Patti has arranged and managed many travel groups including Radio Talk Show Hosts, Dennis Prager and Chef Jamie Gwen.

For the past five years, Patti has been pursuing her passion, luxury culinary and wine travel.  In doing so, she has arranged groups for famous chefs, restaurant owners, cookbook authors and food and wine enthusiasts.  She is a member of the International Association of Culinary Professionals and is currently getting ready to launch her website www.luxuryculinaryadventures.com This website will offer exciting travel for all “foodies” including those who would like to lead a culinary or wine group and those who would simply like to join one of her existing groups.

People are looking for something different to do when traveling besides lying on the beach. When you travel through the world exploring food, you see an interesting window about the culture and the environment because food is truly the bridge between the land and the culture.

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ANNE CRAWFORD, Luxury Sales Agent
anne@coastlinetravel.com

Has traveled the world for 36 years, and has extensive knowledge of Europe, Mexico, Hawaii, Asia and many cruise lines! I have great Trips thru Italy, France, Switzerland and Germany. Girl’s trips, culinary trips, Families trips! Angkor Wat, and Chaing Mai, riding elephants, and seeing the temples is one of my favorite trips! Seeing the beautiful ocean in Phukut, and the beauty of Thailand and Cambodia is a trip not to miss! Let me also show you the Beauty of the Loire Valley and all the Chateaux’s, and fun trip for all!

“The World is a book and those who do not travel read only a page”

Let me book your trips of a Lifetime!

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LEAH BERGNER, Travel Consultant
LBergner@Coastlinetravel.com

Leah was born in Los Angeles and moved to the Midwest at the age of 2, but returned in her full glory at the age of 13 never again braving the brutal winters of Chicago.

After graduating at the top of her class from a local Southern California high school, Leah went on to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology and European/WWII History at the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1997.  It was in Santa Barbara, and after several consecutive years of community and student outreach, that Leah decided a career in education might prove rewarding.  Leah graduated from UCSB and pursued an even higher level of education from California State University, Long Beach.  Here, she received her graduate degree and credentials in primary education.  Leah taught for three years in the Long Beach and Anaheim public school system focusing on reading development and child advocacy.  Children in her care never went a day without learning about the wonders of the world outside of their own.  She hopes to transfer this enthusiasm to her traveling clients as well--There is so much in the world to see!

Upon meeting Jay Johnson (President, Coastline Travel Advisors) and his family three years ago at an upscale café in Bixby Knolls, Leah took interest in the luxury travel industry.  She recognized that she continued to have a great passion for learning outside what textbook pages could offer and could still use her educating skills in this field.

Leah enjoys shopping, fine cuisine and wine in the company of good friends and of course traveling.  A true Californian indeed!  In fact, Leah makes it a point to find the hot spots at every destination that will satisfy any palette.  Leah’s goal is to provide the utmost in travel advice and customer service, and takes great pride in being part of such a phenomenal Virtuoso agency.  Your wish can be a dream fulfilled and realized as she plans every detail of your next adventure!

Considering a trip to lovely Jamaica?—speak with Leah, as she has experienced the ultimate pampering escape at six different 5-star properties, living lavishly alongside warm, teal-blue waters for a week…

Are you anxious to set sail and tour the Mediterranean or Greek Isles?—Allow Leah to tell you all about Crystal Cruises’ impeccable service and unsurpassed reputation, while customized itinerary ashore helps you make the most of your trip.
It’s guaranteed you’ll come back spoiled!

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing." -- Helen Keller

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ANN SANTILLAN, Travel Consultant
ann@coastlinetravel.com

Ann came to Coastline Travel in 2001 after a career with Princess Cruise Lines. Ann’s experiences with the cruise line industry have given her the tools required to offer the best cruise experiences to her clients. She knows the ins and outs with almost all cruise lines, making a request never too difficult.         

On top of having an immense knowledge of the cruising industry, Ann is fully equipped with information on all land vacations. Ann understands that travelers like options, which is why she is a certified specialist for many tour operators. Ann does not just research the best tour operator for your needs she will research the best two, three, or more. With so many options available these days, Ann determined to find the most appropriate vacation for you and your needs.      

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NORMA MULLIGAN, Travel Consultant

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JOHN-PAUL FINE, Travel Consultant
Johnpaul@coastlinetravel.com

John-Paul comes to Coastline Travel Advisors after an extensive background in entertainment, both as a performer and in production. His passion for entertainment and World Travel led him to Coastline when Jay Johnson heard about him through a mutual industry friend and of his persistence to get two clients a refund of $10 each when their air flights reduced in price immediately after purchase. John-Paul's dedication to absolutely amazing travel while also looking out for his client's budget has earned him a reputation as the go-to guy fortaking advantage of luxury travel "extras and benefits." John-Paul swears by the additional little perks and is beyond ecstatic when customer's stumble upon him and learn the benefits of Virtuoso amenities while jet setting aroudn the World.

After only a few weeks at Coastline, and upon the realization of the many destination’s and working relationship’s Mr. Johnson had with Travel Industry Professional’s around the globe, John-Paul saw immediate potential for media attention. “There were destinations and benefits Jay had earned privileges to throughout his years of building his own career that I never even knew of! There were places even I had not heard of that Jay’s clients had been experiencing for years…and because of my love for foreign destinations, I wanted to make people aware of these great adventures available to them.” John-Paul has since been looking into media outlets and magazines to promote the plethora of exotic and luxury destinations Coastline has to offer. John-Paul has only begun to scratch the surface and looks forward to bringing even the extremely well-traveled individual even more ideas and joys for their futures travels.

On Thursday, October 15, 2009, John-Paul promoted three of Virtuoso’s properties on E!’s “That Morning Show”.

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YVONNE FARRIS, Ph.D. and WELDON FARRIS, Independent Travel Consultant
swadikar@aol.com

Dr. Yvonne & Weldon Farris have decided to enjoy their retirement leisure time traveling the world and seeking new adventures. They have chosen to team up with COASTLINE TRAVEL ADVISORS to take their friends and colleagues along! They love exploring and having adventures on their own but now have followers who want to "go where they go!"

Dr. Yvonne headed the international travel program for Ventura College taking students and faculty to Costa Rica for seven summers studying Spanish and International Business and the Galapagos Islands off Equador studying Darwinism and animal life. Students earned college units studying the country with college professors. Five years of Yvonne’s life were devoted to working in Thailand on the Mekong River helping the country develop the First Global Community College which exists today in Nonkhai. She recruited 45 community college teachers to help accomplish the task for the Thai Government. Her e-mail address is Swadikar@aol.com which means ’hello’ in Thai. Holding an Academic License from the U.S. Treasury Department, she led ten trips to Cuba and knows the country and people well.

Weldon sold his construction company after 35 years and took up full-time sailing. Together they have enjoyed sailing on cruise ships around the world and sailing catamarans in the British Virgin Islands and Tahitian Islands. Belonging to yacht clubs in the Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard, California, they have exchanged burgee flags with yacht clubs worldwide.

Locally in Ventura County, they are active in the music scene from the Oxnard Concert Association to the professional theatre company of The Rubican. The community knows them well as supporters and board members of the local Girls & Boys Club, Youth Sports, United Way, Girl Scouts, and Rotary. Planning to combine their love of travel, people, new adventures, sailing and music, they look forward to teaming up with COASTLINE TRAVEL ADVISORS!

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DONNA BAKER-OLSON, CTM, Independent Travel Consultant
dbo@coastlinetravel.com

Donna began traveling in 1981 with her first trip out of the United States visiting Fiji, French Polynesia, Samoa (Western & American), Australia and New Zealand.  Donna continues to travel and has been to more than 25 countries.

She began her travel career with Classic Custom Vacations in 1998 as an Inside Sales Representative.  From there she decided she wanted to escort travelers to other countries as a Tour Director, so she left Classic and attended the International Tour Management Institute in San Francisco.  Upon graduation Donna moved to San Diego, CA and started working in the travel industry as a Tour Director.

While escorting travelers to other countries Donna was continually asked if she owned her own travel agency, this happened so frequently she thought why not and joined Coastline Travel Advisors specializing in Romance Travel.

Donna graduated top of her class with two degrees one in Travel & Tourism, the other in Information Systems Management from the University of San Francisco.

When you take the time to revitalize yourself and reconnect with your loved ones, you will be rewarded with enormous payback down the road. Whether you want to rekindle your relationship, relax by the side of a pool, climb the tallest mountain or merely submit to the temptation of day-after-day spa therapies’, you'll find a plethora of wonderful suggestions for mind, body and soul right here with Donna.

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