AN ADVENTURE LIKE NO OTHER, GET TO KNOW THE CITY NEAR YOU (USE PROMO CODE: MACARONI FOR 20%OFF)
DO A SCAVENGER HUNT RIGHT HERE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
During our trip up to Santa Barbara, we decided to find an activity that a group of 8 can have fun in. Since we were all a bit competitive, we decided to do a scavenger hunt with Urban Adventure Quest. We had the chance to get to know Santa Barbara better, take some amazing pictures and bond as friends.
DO A SCAVENGER HUNT RIGHT HERE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
During our trip up to Santa Barbara, we decided to find an activity that a group of 8 can have fun in. Since we were all a bit competitive, we decided to do a scavenger hunt with Urban Adventure Quest. We had the chance to get to know Santa Barbara better, take some amazing pictures and bond as friends.
Urban Adventure Quest is played with your internet accessible mobile device. It’s easy to start, simply enter your E-mail address and Password and you are ready to begin with the first set of instructions. Once started, the pace of play is up to you. Take your time, enjoy the game and the sights at a casual pace OR… race to compete against other groups for the best point score and time. The game software accommodates your individual style. It’s your city, it’s your game, have fun when you want.
The website doesn't seem to provide enough information when signing up, but after you've signed up, they will send you a bit more info by email. Here are some tips to make your quest a bit easier:
Purchasing the Quest - In the site it is recommended to purchase additional quest if you are more than 4 people. We were a group of 8, therefore we decided to purchase 2 quests. If two groups are competing with each other to the finish line, it is good to have two quests and split the group into two. However, our group didn't want to split up, therefore, we ended up using only 1 of the quests.
Comfortable Shoes, Water & Sunblock - The adventure requires quite of bit of walking, therefore don't forget to wear comfortable shoes, bring water and apply plenty of sunblock.
Weather - I would suggest checking on the weather and picking a fairly cool day before starting your quest because you do not want any of your young ones to get a heat stroke.
Purchasing the Quest - In the site it is recommended to purchase additional quest if you are more than 4 people. We were a group of 8, therefore we decided to purchase 2 quests. If two groups are competing with each other to the finish line, it is good to have two quests and split the group into two. However, our group didn't want to split up, therefore, we ended up using only 1 of the quests.
Comfortable Shoes, Water & Sunblock - The adventure requires quite of bit of walking, therefore don't forget to wear comfortable shoes, bring water and apply plenty of sunblock.
Weather - I would suggest checking on the weather and picking a fairly cool day before starting your quest because you do not want any of your young ones to get a heat stroke.
Starting Location – Before you start, use your GPS to find the location of the starting point. In Santa Barbara's Quest, it was right where the Visitor Center was.
Ending Location – You will be given an end location. This is helpful to know so you can plan on where you would like to park. It is better to park at your end location because you might be very tired at the end of the quest.
Distance – I believe the quest takes about 2 miles to finish. Make note of that when you have little ones. Bring a stroller.
Time – If you are going as a group or family, especially if you have kids, it is best to start in the morning. Most of the full-length quests run on average 2.5 to 3 hours. Since you will be walking or taking some sort of public transportation, you don't want to miss the last bus pick up and be stranded trying to find a ride back to your car.
Additional Cost – Not knowing what the quest would entail, I wasn’t sure if we needed to purchase passes to ride on the trolley or pay for admission fees to the museums in order to fully participate in the quest. I was happy to see that the only additional cost we had to pay for was the Santa Barbara Shuttle which was only 50 cents each way. They will let you know if any additional cost is required.
Leader Board – I recommend checking out the leader board, even if you aren’t planning on competing for a top spot. This will give you an idea of how long other groups are taking to complete the challenge.
SO THE QUEST STARTS...
To start the quest, you have to log into the Urban Adventure Quest website on your smartphone. Only one "quest master' is allowed to answer the questions. So make sure you assign one person to do so. All the members of your group can log in as a guest to be able to view their questions on their smartphones. Just make sure they don't answer the questions. It confuses the software. In case it does freeze, just log in again.
When you initiate the quest, you receive your first destination along with a question or riddle that you must answer. In case it’s not obvious, the only way to get the correct answer is to be at the destination so that you can find the answer.
To start the quest, you have to log into the Urban Adventure Quest website on your smartphone. Only one "quest master' is allowed to answer the questions. So make sure you assign one person to do so. All the members of your group can log in as a guest to be able to view their questions on their smartphones. Just make sure they don't answer the questions. It confuses the software. In case it does freeze, just log in again.
When you initiate the quest, you receive your first destination along with a question or riddle that you must answer. In case it’s not obvious, the only way to get the correct answer is to be at the destination so that you can find the answer.
One of the neatest features of the Urban Adventure Quest was the Urban Questology. During the quest, random facts would pop up about the sites and their history. This was a fun and sneaky way to educate everyone during the game. Many of the team mates started Googling the answers. Yes, it is cheating. Technically many of the questions can be googled, but that is not the point of the game. However, some questions require you to look at specific signs, paintings or items, therefore it is still required of you to go through the quest to finish them.
At one point during the quest, we had to sit down and solve a secret code. Some of our friends love riddles, so it was fun to see who got the answer first. This game is not based on how quickly you play the game. Instead, your score is based on answering the questions correctly. Each wrong guess will cost you 5 points. It will also cost you 5 points to use a hint. If you can’t guess the correct answer in 4 guesses, you score no points for that question but are given the next clue location.
We started the quest rather late in the afternoon because we were waiting for many of our friends to arrive into Santa Barbara to participate in this activity. Unfortunately, we didn't had the chance to finish the quest. That was a bummer.
We started the quest rather late in the afternoon because we were waiting for many of our friends to arrive into Santa Barbara to participate in this activity. Unfortunately, we didn't had the chance to finish the quest. That was a bummer.
All in all, Urban Adventure Quest was a great activity among friends. And I would totally do it again with my kids. Urban Adventure Quest has scavenger hunt adventures in almost 50 locations across the U.S. and Canada. Many of them are in California, including two in downtown L.A., one in Hollywood, one at the Getty Museum, four on Catalina Island and two in San Diego. So, if you ever go to a new city to visit or do an adventure with your family right here in Southern California, check out Urban Adventure Quest for some Family Fun.
TO CHOOSE YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE CLICK HERE
DISCOUNT CODE: MACARONI
FOR 20% OFF YOUR QUEST
*I was compensated one quest to publish an honest opinion regarding Urban Adventure Quest. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
TO CHOOSE YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE CLICK HERE
DISCOUNT CODE: MACARONI
FOR 20% OFF YOUR QUEST
*I was compensated one quest to publish an honest opinion regarding Urban Adventure Quest. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
