Lola, Since I don't have information on the best airfares from your departure city to Oakland or San Francisco, I wouldn't know what to recommend. As for lodging, dys and Diane are staying at the Nob Hill Motor Inn and osso is staying at Hotel Adagio. I'm staying at my brother-in-laws in Diamond Heights. Please send me by PM your "real" name and mail address. I have a "surprise" for each attendee.
I'm hoping the vendor will mail it to me on time, so I can mail them out before I leave for Japan on March 25.