VISTA FORGE
Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum
Vista, CA
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Conference Fees
Schedule And Site Map
Getting There And Lodging
Demonstrators
Education / Hands On
Competitions / Contest
ONLINE REGISTRATION: Register here online. Online registration is open till April 11th, after that you can pay at the door.
MAIL-IN REGISTRATION: Registration Form v4.pdf
CONTACT & CO-CHAIRS:
Dave Carroll - event chairman
Chris Branuelas - publicity and planning
Inquiries about the 2026 Conference: cbaspringconference23@gmail.com
Inquiries about the Railroad Spike Challenge:
RRSpikeChallenge@gmail.com
SCHEDULE: CBA 2023 Conf Prog Final.pdf
SITE MAP:
CONFERENCE FEES: (subject to change)
| Conference Fees Per-Person |
On/Before
March 19 |
After
March 19 |
| Full Conference (Thursday - Saturday) |
$225 |
$250 |
| Single Day |
$120 |
$140 |
*Non-participating family or friends may attend other open museum areas for $10 daily admission
NO RISK REFUND POLICY - A full refund of conference and meal fees shall be provided if a member cancels at any time prior to the conference starting date.
| Meals |
On/Before
March 19 |
After
March 19 |
| All Meals (Thursday Breakfast to Saturday Banquet and Auction), VEGETARIAN option available |
$120 |
$140 |
| Saturday Banquet and Auction Only, VEGETARIAN option available |
$30 |
$30 |
There will be a Family-Style Barbecue and Potluck, hosted by Dennis Dusek's team of BBQ stars on Friday night! This event has quickly become a tradition the whole family will enjoy. Everyone is welcome and there is no cost. Feel free to bring a ready-to-serve dish, drink, or dessert to share!
GETTING THERE:
The conference will be held at the Vista Forge, located on the 55-acre Antique Gas and Steam Engine Museum in Vista, California in northern San Diego County. The site has ample room for multiple blacksmithing events and education areas as well as on-site food and camping. Admission includes access to the museum's other areas as well, including a weavers and textile barn and cottage, a clock museum, a working sawmill, grain mill, antique steam and gas engines of all sizes, a clock museum, model railroad exhibit, and a working small track railroad. It is also an easy driving distance to a number of popular attractions like Disneyland, Legoland, Knotts Berry Farms, Sea World, and the San Diego Zoo and Safari Parks. There are many food options off-site and North San Diego is well known for its many breweries and wineries.
By Air, the San Diego International Airport and John Wayne Orange County Airports are the closest.
LODGING OPTIONS:
HOTELS: There are many hotels and motels within a short driving distance of the Conference site. One we recommend is Courtyard by Marriott located at 3501 Seagate Way, Oceanside, CA. Call Marriott Reservations at (800) 321-2211 or (760) 966-1000 on or before Monday, March 13, 2023, to make room reservations. To get a reduced rate, identify yourself as part of the “California Blacksmith Association” staying at the Courtyard San Diego Oceanside. Link to discounted reservation.
CAMPING: There are plenty of low-cost dry tent and RV camping spots on-site:
- Dry RV/Tent camping site $15 per night - available in the registration link.
There are many education opportunities planned for the 2023 Conference! You will also be able to try your hand at these demonstrations at the open forges with the instructors available for coaching.
COMPETITIONS
In addition to plenty of forges available for open forging and practicing demo projects, two evening competitions. Start practicing your skills now to compete and win!
