San Francisco, California

The very first task will be to find 'centrally located' quiet venues. I will get to work on that first, and "everything else" will follow. c.i.

Asilomar. Pacific Grove. Don't get me started...love it there. It doesn't get any better....

osso, Can you please do us a favor and see if you can access Asilomar's "Contact" link and/or price list for 2004? My computer seems to have access problems for reasons I'm not sure what they are. We need to find out if dates from late March through early April in 2004 are available, and at what cost? Our biggest handicap at this moment is our inability to determine the number of expected participants to this event for any venue. c.i.

Monterey is a long, long way from San Francisco.

'bout 2, 2.5 hours, if the weather and traffic cooperate...

Ashman, We're just trying to keep our options open for now. We're more or less following your lead; it's more important to have a venue that provides an environment for talking, and day tours are secondary. c.i.

If you go to Pacific Grove don't forget to say a hail Mary for John Denver.

How about if we just play some of his records? c.i.

You fill up my senses, like a sleepy blue ocean.

Yes, I am sure I can find that on Asilomar, I just saw it yesterday.
I haven't stayed there, but have stayed in Monterey, and have my own reasons for loving that area...but...it ain't SF.

I'll add the link though in case the tide swings in that direction. Back in a minute.

Found a lot of links, the first one going to the heart of the matter. The rest are in no particular order.

http://www.asilomarcenter.com/pdf/2003%20Group%20Rate%20Sheet.pdf

http://www.asilomarcenter.com/accomodations/groups/index.html

http://www.asilomarcenter.com/pdf/2004_ResvForm.pdf

http://www.asilomarcenter.com/accomodations/accomodations/index.htmlquot

http://www.asilomarcenter.com/planyourvisit/directions.html

Asilomar is quite nice but for those who don't know, it's a bit spartan. There are very nice motels & B&B's that border Asilomar, which offer more amenities. One thing I'm always after is a hot tub. We like to bring our bikes as it's a great place to ride.

One time though, I was walking the beach below Asilomar and there was this horrid smell. Then I realized that the large rock in front of me wasn't a rock at all - it was a dead elephant seal. Blech!

Well, I hadn't advanced to the idea that we would all stay at one place as a group. The more I think about it, the more I can see that is a good idea. People may have different needs...and given the tremendous number of wonderful things to do in SF, including places to eat...there may well be free time demands. (I am apt to split off and do some galleries, for example, well, let me not even get started on stuff to do.) So...if not one hotel for all, the hotels should be real close, or we'll all be in town individually at the same time.

Maybe we should try to nail down a place for a basic number by some reasonable date and later people to join in could at least have it as a central place to get to, if not stay at.

I agree about the need for quiet, and I am hard of hearing too, and one of my funnier meetings with online friends was when three of us met in a previously known to be quiet place and had to write notes for the first part of the lunch. At least the core place should be quiet, the city outside doesn't have to be.

I am apt to have a scotch or a glass of wine, hope there'll be someone to join me!

Here's some guidelines on rates at Asilomar, but remember these are for 2003: Singles $136.21 - $282.41; Doubles $89.17 - $140.75; Triple $70.46 - $93.71; and 4+ $69.05 - $69.90. Although I've heard nothing but good reports from people who have spent time at Asilomar, the rates sounds somewhat steep for "lodging" only. Would like some feedback to see where this might lead. c.i.

I think that is high, CI, though maybe not high re SF, hah, and it is also a long way for people to get in to San Francisco...so, I am thinking NO.

The "no's" have it. c.i.

i second the no on asilomar. it will be the first time in over 10 years that i'll be on the mainland us of a. i want to see s.f.

Here's the place I stayed in Inverness on Tomales Bay. It is closer to SF than
Monterey...it is out on the coast via a beautiful drive from Petaluma. So this represents a type of alternative to the main City.

What is good about it...there are a few suites, I stayed in one. The living room and kitchen of one could be our main place, and we all get individual rooms.
Also, area is gorgeous. Very good restaurant nearby, at Manka's Inn, where my friends' wedding was held. (Monka's Inn would be a neat choice, but it is 185.00 a night and up up up. Also, quite small.)
Is near Point Reyes Station and Point Reyes...lovely.

What is bad about it...a tad on the ticky tacky side. And distance from SF, re time...people would have to have cars.
http://www.goldenhindeinn.com/productcatalog1/
http://www.goldenhindeinn.com/

the drive from petaluma to sf is nice. used to live in santa rosa, just north of petaluma.

Yes, Pueo, it is, and the ride west to Inverness is a stunning one.

Here's where we can't stay....Manka's Inn. On the other hand, maybe some could. It is wonderful..sigh.

Plus the bridal party dinner the night before the wedding was held at yet another wonderful restaurant, about three miles south. Sigh again.

We could go here and never leave the area, but that of course would be closing our eyes to SF.


http://www.mankas.com/