Travel & Accommodations

Conference Hotel Westin St. Francis 335 Powell Street (between Post & Geary) San Francisco, California  94102 415.397.7000 or 1.800.WESTIN1 Located in the heart of the city, facing Union Square, the Westin St. Francis has maintained its preeminence as San Francisco's center of social, theatrical, and business life since first opening in 1904. As on of the last survivors of colorful, turn-of-the-century San Francisco, the Westin St.Francis is as modern as tomorrow "with a proud past" - a collecting place of history and legend.

Westin Reservations

Reserve your room today at this four-diamond hotel by calling 1.800.WESTIN1 and ask for the WCET discounted rate of $159 for standard single rooms or $179 for traditional room. You may also register online at the hotel's website. The discounted rate expires October 14, 2005 unless the block fills earlier.

Overflow Hotel

If you cannot get a room at the Westin, try The Sir Francis Drake hotel located one block away.

The Sir Francis Drake
450 Powell Street
San Francisco, California 94102
800.795.7129

Driving Directions (Provided by Westin)

The San Francisco International Airport is 12 miles or approximately 30 minutes away. The Oakland International Airport is 15 miles or approximately 40 minutes away.

From Oakland International Airport:
When exiting airport travel to 880 North to the Bay Bridge heading to San Francisco. Cross the Bay Bridge, and take the Fremont Street Exit on the right. Turn left onto Howard Street and proceed 4 blocks to 3rd Street. Follow 3rd Street and cross Market Street. Turn left onto Geary Street until you cross Powell Street.

From San Francisco International Airport:
Take Highway 101 North and exit at 4th Street Exit onto Bryant. Continue 1 block and turn left onto 3rd Street. Cross the Market Street intersection, and turn left onto Geary. The hotel is located just past Union Square.

Ground Transportation

The SFO Airporter bus or van stops outside the Baggage Claim area on the median strip and at the hotel's Geary Street entrance. Vans run from 5:00 am - 10:30 pm and come at least once every half-hour, with additional vehicles running during peak periods. A one-way charge is $12.50. Allow 45-60 minutes total travel time.

Taxis are available at the Airport Cab Stand, or outside the Powell Street entrance. Approximate charge, one-way: $30-35 excluding gratuity, for up to four people. Allow 30-45 minutes total travel time.

Rental cars are available throughout San Francisco International, as well as around Union Square. There is a Hertz Rental Car Desk in the hotel's Main Building Lobby Arcade.

Cable cars operate from 6:00 am - 12:00 midnight: $2.00 per person.

Bart runs roundtrip from Powell Street to Oakland Airport for $2.85; from Powell Street to SFO for $4.70.

Parking at the Westin St. Francis

The hotel offers Valet Parkin for 225 cars. Overnight parking for $39.00, including in/out privileges daily ($45 for oversized vehicles or SUVs). Overnight guests are always given priority for available parking spots over restaurant guests, banquet attendees, or public parking requests. Several lots are located in the Union Square area. The average charge is $24.00 for overnight parking, with no in/out privileges.

What to Wear

Business casual is recommended for the conference. San Francisco's average high at this time of year is 60 degrees with lows around 50 degrees. Fall is a transition period for San Francisco and produces some of its most beautiful cloud-free days as well as a few rainy ones.

Attractions

San Francisco is a very vibrant city filled with stunning architecture, and world-class shopping, restaurants, and theaters. Many are located within just a few blocks of the Westin St. Francis.

Right outside the door of the hotel, you can hop on a cable car to tour some of city’s most popular neighborhoods. A stop at Fisherman’s Wharf to watch the sea lions play is an absolute must. You won’t want to miss a hot fudge sundae at Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shops either.

Like Chinese food? A stroll through Chinatown will have your mouth watering as you walk past the many wonderful displays in the windows of busy restaurants. Be on the look out for the alley where you can watch fortune cookies being made!

Into tea? Don’t miss a visit to the Japanese Tea House and the lovely gardens surrounding it.

A drive down Lombard Street, the crookest street in the country, is always fun too. A harbor cruise to Sausalito to visit the famous little boutiques and art galleries is a lovely way to view the San Francisco skyline. Bring your camera to take home a memory of the most beautiful bridges in the country. And if you have always wanted to tour Alcatraz, be sure to call ahead to book your reservation.

And think about staying over the weekend to visit the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art or take a tour of California’s great wine country and so much more!

San Francisco Websites

San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau
http://www.sfvisitor.org

San Francisco Bay Area Visitor's Guide
http://gocalif.ca.gov/stat/tourism/tour_homepage.jsp

Fisherman's Wharf
http://www.fishermanswharf.org

Ghirardelli Square
http://www.ghirardellisq.com/ghirardellisq

Sausalito
http://www.sausalito.org

Alcatraz
http://www.nps.gov/alcatraz

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
http://www.sfmoma.org