About Coastline :: Travel Advisors

JAY JOHNSON, President
CARLA CRITTENDEN , Group and Festival Coordinator
LEAH SMITH, Director of Sales
CAITLIN DOBSON, Travel Consultant
CARRIE WALKER, Travel Consultant
LEAH BERGNER, Travel Consultant
PATTI JENKINS, Business Development Manager
ANNE CRAWFORD, Luxury Sales Agent
CARISSA CUMMINGS, Travel Consultant
ANN SANTILLAN , Travel Consultant
NORMA MULLIGAN, Travel Consultant
JOHN-PAUL FINE, 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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CAITLIN DOBSON, Travel Consultant
Caitlin@Coastlinetravel.com

Born with a big heart and raised to have an even bigger heart, in 2007 Caitlin Dobson jumped heart-first into the travel industry and Virtuoso travel consortium before joining Coastline Travel Advisors in March 2010. Raised a Midwestern girl, Caitlin graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in both Cultural Anthropology and journalism before the wander-luster found herself at home on the West Coast.

Before moving to Los Angeles and turning travel into a profession, Caitlin has more than earned her travel wings, having visited, volunteered, studied or lived in 30 countries and counting, all within the span of less than 10 years and before her 27th birthday. Caitlin came into the travel industry having completely immersed herself within the nation’s #1 Study Abroad program, living and studying abroad a total of four times during her collegiate career at MSU. Her studies took her from the UK and Czech Republic where she studied Photo Communication and stayed at both the University of London and the University of Edinburgh…to Peru where she studied Incan culture and lived with a local Peruvian family in Cusco…to Kingston, Jamaica where she studied History and Culture of the African Diaspora and lived at the University of the West Indies…to Rome, Italy where she took courses at John Cabot University and lived in an apartment overlooking Piazza Trilussa. A perpetual multitasker, Caitlin also headed the Alternative Spring Break program, a student-run volunteer travel organization, taking part and leading five volunteer spring break trips. Her volunteer experience has led her and her groups from Queretaro, Mexico to San Francisco to Puerto Rico to Honduras to Panama. Concurrently Caitlin worked as a Managing Editor and International-based Section Editor of an online university magazine called The Big Green, and she also worked as Photo Editor of the Red Cedar Log Yearbook. Nearly everything Caitlin involves herself with revolves around the world itself. It only seems fitting that Caitlin would dedicate her life to a profession of culture, philanthropy, and everything travel.

Caitlin has proudly worked for over four years as a Virtuoso luxury travel consultant, was listed in 2009 as a top 30 Under 30 Travel Agent,and she has most recently become a Certified Travel Associate (CTA). A relentlessly well-rounded consultant and often referred to as the “Land Girl,” Caitlin offers a passion and wealth of knowledge on a range of destinations, especially including Western Europe, Australia, Southeast Asia, both Central and South America and nearly any destination that comes across her desk. A rarity among younger agents, Caitlin is efficient with air and hotel reservations and very well-versed in finding clients the best flight and hotel options possible around the world. With great attention to detail, she has a knack for piecing together itineraries for clients like their own personalized puzzle. Knowledgeable when it comes to cruise travel, guided tours and custom private tours, Caitlin especially thrives on dealing with clients, both young and mature, who are excited to escape their comfort zones and see the world like a true traveler. Recognizing and acknowledging most young clients as already planning-savvy travelers themselves, Caitlin welcomes her clients to become immersed in the planning process and structure their trip hand-in-hand with her.

Both independent and curious by nature, Caitlin has found her niche in creating unique itineraries, including a trip she mapped from scratch for herself and a friend, venturing by bus from Panama to Cancun and visiting every Central American country along the way. Dedicated to clients from all walks of life, Caitlin is responsible for some of the agency's most discerning clients, from entertainers to luxury cruise clients to honeymoon couples and destination wedding parties. No matter what, she strives to weave her own travel experiences throughout everyday work by bringing an insider’s perspective to even the simplest trip itinerary. With a true passion for learning destinations with her own fearless, adventurous twist, for Caitlin there are truly no limits to where she will go and where she will help clients go.

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CARRIE WALKER, Travel Consultant
Carrie@Coastlinetravel.com

Carrie Walker began her travel career in 1999 by working with a major wholesaler specializing in Hawaii, Mexico and Tahiti.   She quickly fell in love with everything travel and wanted to expand her horizons.  Carrie worked her way up through the ranks at a few travel agencies in Ventura County where she primarily handled cruises, celebrities and specialty group travel.  After working within the luxury travel market for a few years Carrie jumped at the chance to work with Coastline and rejoin the prestigious Virtuoso network.

Carrie brings a wealth of knowledge as an accredited Australia, Hawaii, Tahiti and South Africa destination specialist.  Having traveled to each destination herself Carrie brings the type of knowledge and expertise necessary in helping make each trip as easy and enjoyable as a relaxing vacation should be.  As a Honeymoon and Destination Wedding Specialist she comes equipped with a passion for travel and great attention to detail, applying both traits to each personalized itinerary. 

After spending over a decade in travel Carrie is an experienced, knowledgeable, straight forward agent that is constantly broadening her portfolio.  Carrie brings an upbeat, passionate, fine-tuned approach to vacation planning and ensures her clients with the best travel experience imaginable.

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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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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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CARISSA CUMMINGS, Travel Consultant
Carissa@Coastlinetravel.com

Carissa, a southern California native, recently returned to the U.S. after living abroad for the past four years, completing her Masters of Art in Ancient History and Classical Archaeology at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.  She had the privilege of travelling to many destinations all over the world from a young age,  and has travelled extensively through Europe, Southern Africa and the Middle East while living abroad.  While at University, Carissa served as Vice President of the university’s Equestrian Club during her final two years and graduated with Honours.  Her academic interest in ancient Mediterranean cultures has led her to join Coastline Travel and pursue a career in the travel industry.  Carissa has travelled to five continents and has visited over 30 countries.

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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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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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