Your trip to Ecocity World Summit 2008
"I don't know of any other city where you can walk through so many culturally diverse neighborhoods, and you're never out of sight of the wild hills. Nature is very close here."San Francisco, known for its scenic beauty, unique and varied architecture, and diverse cultural communities, sets the stage perfectly for an international gathering of people who love both cities and nature.
Venues and Dates
April 21 Pre Conference Event
Herbst Theater
410 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco
7:00pm - 9:00pm
"World View of Global Warming and How Cities can Save the Earth"
Map for Herbst Theater
April 22 & 23: Academic and Talent Scouting Sessions
Mezzanine and Mint Plaza (Opening Plenary)
444 Jessie Street @ Mint 8:00am - 1:30pm, April 22 (415) 625-8880
Map for Mezzanine
http://www.mezzaninesf.com
UC Berkeley Extension South of Market Center
95 Third St. (corner of Third St. and Mission), San Francisco
(415) 284-1081
April 22, 1:30pm - 6:00pm
April 23, 8:00am - 5:00pm
Map for UC Berkeley Extension
www.unex.berkeley.edu
For transit information to the UCB Extension SOMA building: http://www.unex.berkeley.edu/loc/sf_soma.html#transportation
April 24-26: Ecocity World Summit Main Conference
Nob Hill Masonic Center
8:00am - 6:00pm
1111 California Street
San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 292-4702
Map for Nob Hill Masonic Center
www.masonicauditorium.com
For transit information to the Nob Hill Masonic Center:
http://www.masonicauditorium.com/location_getting_there.html
Other Important Information
Getting to your hotel from the SF International Airport on public transportation
BART is the Bay Area's local train system. It now services the San Francisco International Airport. Trains run from 5am – 12 midnight. Service does vary – please check the schedule if you have early or late flights. The cost is $4.70 per person each way.
BART's new SFO station is located on the Departures/Ticketing Level of the International Terminal Main Hall, allowing passengers to exit the rapid transit system and step directly into SFO. The station also links to the Garage G AirTrain stop, providing an easy transfer to SFO's automated people mover system for quick and convenient transportation to all terminals, garages and the Rental Car Center.
AirTrain is SFO's new fully automated people mover. AirTrain operates 24 hours every day, providing convenient and frequent service throughout San Francisco International Airport.
Access to SFO's Terminals, Rental Car Center and BART Station
AirTrain operates on two lines - the Red Line, which connects all terminals, garages and the BART Station; and the Blue Line, which connects all terminals, garages and the BART Station with the Rental Car Center. AirTrain stations are located in all terminals, garages and the BART Station, as well as the Rental Car Center.
Getting From Your Plane to AirTrain
Domestic Terminals 1, 2 and 3 each have an AirTrain station located on Level 5 of the Domestic Parking Garage.
To access Terminals 1's station, take the elevators/escalators down to the tunnel connector to the parking garage.
Terminal 3's station connects to the terminal via a passenger skybridge. Take the elevators/escalators to Mezzanine-Level 3.
The International Terminal has two AirTrain stations, located one level above ticketing at both ends of the Main Hall.
BART to your hotel: Take any inbound train.
Getting to The King George Hotel
334 Mason @ Geary
San Francisco, CA 94102
Ph: (415) 781-5050
Map of the King George Hotel
The King George Hotel is located near the Powell Street BART Stop - 10 stops from SFO on BART. Travel time is 30 minutes. Exit the Powell Street Station via the Powell Street exit. Take the escalator to your Right as you leave the underground station. This will put you at the foot of Powell Street and the beginning of the Cable Car line. Follow Powell Street North two blocks to O'Farrell Street (follow the cable car tracks). Turn Left on O'Farrell Street. Travel one full block to Mason Street. Turn Right on Mason Street. We are 1/2 block north on Mason.
Getting to The Adelaide Hostel
5 Isadora Duncan Lane
(formerly Adelaide Place)
San Francisco, CA, 94102
Ph: Toll-Free 1-877-359-1915
Map of The Adelaide Hostel
For directions to the hostel click www.adelaidehostel.com 
and go to direction page, you might want to print them, from the San Francisco Airport the lowest fare is on BART, the local subway that will bring you from the airport for $4.50. Get off at Powell Street Station and you can walk to the Adelaide hostel/hotel, a map and full directions is on their website at www.adelaidehostel.com ,the easiest way especially if you have a lot of bags is on an airport shuttle bus that will drop you at the front door, if you use the 'Airport Express' shuttle company they will also give you a discount if you are a guest of the Adelaide they will give you a discount and for $12 drop you at the front door.
Getting to the Golden Gateway Hotel
1500 Van Ness Ave. San Francisco, CA 94109
Ph: (415) 441-4000
Map of the Golden Gateway Hotel
B.A.R.T (Bay Area Rapid Transit)
Depart from SFO Station on Pittsburgh Bay Point or Richmond train. Trains run every 15 minutes. Exit Embarcadero station. Take the California / Van Ness Street Cable car west bound to Van Ness . Hotel is at the Corner of California & Van Ness. WWW.bart.gov
Lorries Airport Shuttle
415-334-9000. Board level two ground transportation. Shuttle Vans make multiple stops at hotels in Downtown area. Shuttles Depart continuously no reservation necessary from Airport. Less than $18.00 one way.
Taxi's
Board from Ground Transportation level 1. Estimated cost $45.00
Towne Car or Limo Service:
Advance reservations required. Driver will meet you at gate outside of Security check. Contact hotel Concierge at 415-441-4000 ext 7096.
Other Important Information
Weather
In general April is one of the most inviting months to visit San Francisco. Characteristically cloudless and mild, some of the warmest and driest days of the year occur in San Francisco's spring months. Average high for April is 63°F, low is 50°F and average rainfall is 1 inch.
Insurance
The registration fees do not include insurance for the participants regarding accidents, sickness or loss of personal property. You are advised to make necessary arrangements for a short-term health and accident insurance before leaving your home country if you are interested in insurance coverage.
Currency Exchange
Exchange centers can be found at airports, hotels and tourist shopping centers. For more information and a currency converter calculator, visit: http://www.sfguide.com/services/currency.htm
Visa, Mastercard, American Express and other credit cards are accepted in most restaurants, stores and hotels. It is possible to draw cash from ATM machines using the appropriate cards.
Most hotels can cash traveller cheques issued by any foreign bank or financial institution. You need to show your passport and pay a commission.
Visa Information
Passport and Visa
A valid passport and visa for visiting the United States are required. Upon receiving your registration form and fees, Ecocity World Summit will send you an invitation letter with which you can apply for an entrance visa at the nearest United States Embassy or General Consulate.
In addition to a valid passport, you need a visa for visiting the United States, unless you are a citizen of a country participating in the US Visa Waiver Program (see below).
Nonimmigrant visas are for international travelers, (citizens of other countries), coming to the U.S. temporarily. This visa allows you to travel to a U.S. port-of-entry (airport, for example) and request permission of the Department of Homeland Security immigration inspector to enter the U.S.
For an overview of the types of nonimmigrant visas available under immigration law, please find the link to the Nonimmigrant Visa Classifications on the USCIS website.
Advance Planning
Advance planning can smooth the visa application process for you. Apply for your Visa well in advance of your travel! Important steps to remember:
- Review your visa status, and find out if you need a U.S. visa or a renewal.
- Review the visa wait times information for interview appointments and visa processing at each embassy and consular section worldwide
- Visit the embassy or consular section website where you will apply for your visa to find out how to schedule an interview appointment, pay fees and any other instructions.
- Plan on an interview at the embassy or consulate, which is required for most visa applicants.
Visa Waiver Countries List
The following countries are part of the United States Visa Waiver Program and do not need a Visa to enter the country, just a machine-readable valid passport.
Andorra
Iceland
Norway
Australia
Ireland
Portugal
Austria
Italy
San Marino
Belgium
Japan
Singapore
Brunei
Liechtenstein
Slovenia
Denmark
Luxembourg
Spain
Finland
Monaco
Sweden
France
the Netherlands
Switzerland
Germany
New Zealand
United Kingdom
Getting Around
Ecocity World Summit Green Travel: Share Rides, Get Connected!
Ecocity World Summit has partnered with nonprofit SpaceShare to provide delegates with an easy and fun way to connect with other attendees on the way to the conference—by sharing rides. It's easy. Log in, post your message, and connect with others coming to Ecocity World Summit. Save money, save energy, and get to know your fellow delegates before the conference begins.
Arrival in San Francisco
BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) will take you directly from SFO International Airport to downtown San Francisco. Taxi service is also available at San Francisco International Airport during the whole day. If you arrive by AMTRAK (train) a shuttle will take you from the station in Oakland to downtown San Francisco. For more information about taking the train, please visit www.amtrak.com
Public Transportation or Private Automobile?
We strongly encourage attendees to take advantage of public transportation when possible during your visit to San Francisco. This is a transit friendly city, and parking is expensive, if you can find any…
Please visit the Bay Area Travel Guide at www.transitinfo.org for all the information you might need on public transportation for the entire Bay Area including transit trip planners.
Share rides, meet fellow delegates! Ecocity World Summit's Green Travel Forum gives you plenty of opportunities to share space on the way to the conference.
Air Travel
Please consider arranging your travel through Sustainable Travel International and purchasing a “green class” airline seat http://www.my-climate.com
Conference Accommodations
Hotels
Ecocity World Summit has contracted with the King George Hotel and The Adelaide Hostel to provide guest accommodations to our group at special rates. Please sign up early — these rooms will likely sell out. Typical prices in the area are over $200 per night, our special rates are significantly less! Rooms must be booked through Ecocity World Summit. The two buildings are located with a few blocks of one another and are in the heart of downtown San Francisco. They are within walking distance of both conference venue locations, Union Square, shopping, mass transit and the cable cars. Note: Conference accommodations are reserved directly through the online registration process for the Ecocity World Summit.
King George Hotel www.KingGeorge.com All rooms have offered complimentary high-speed internet access with writing desks. Quaintly appointed guest rooms include private baths, remote-control cable color televisions with in-room movies, internet access via Web TV, direct-dial phones, voice mail, iron and ironing boards and in-room safe. Concierge, bellman services, same-day laundry/dry cleaning, and 24-hour Room Service are also available. Breakfast is served daily from 7am to 10am in the Windsor Tearoom & Café. Winston’s Pub & Lounge offers wine and beer daily from 5pm to 10pm.
The Adelaide Hostel www.adelaidehostel.com The Adelaide Hostel is located in the former Adelaide Inn and Hotel, a building full of old world charm less than two blocks from Union Square in downtown San Francisco. Amenities include free breakfast, laundry facilities, self-catering kitchen, TV room, lounge and library.
Homestays and Shared Rooms
Save money, meet fellow conference delegates. Ecocity World Summit has partnered with nonprofit SpaceShare to provide delegates with a Green Travel network. Find roommates, shared accommodations and homestays.
San Francisco Attractions
The Ecocity World Summit will locate you firmly in the center of the San Francisco action. For more information about San Francisco’s many attractions, visit one of the following websites.
