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2009 Sagan Exoplanet Summer Workshop
Local Information

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Workshop Site

The 2009 Sagan Exoplanet Summer Workshop will be held in the Beckman Institute Auditorium (not to be confused with the Beckman Auditorium) on the Caltech Campus. The Auditorium can get cold at times, so it is advised that you bring a light sweater or jacket. Food and drink (other than water) are not allowed in the auditorium.

Internet Access

We are happy to provide wireless internet access during the summer workshop so everyone can follow along with the presentations and take part in the interactive portions of the agenda. Please note, we will not be providing computers. If you wish to make use of the internet access, bring a laptop, or make arrangements to use a colleague's.

Visitors have immediate access to wireless internet at Beckman Institute Auditorium by connecting to “Caltech guest” using the Airport utility or your network connections. In order to use the Caltech Guest wireless account, open a web browser and type in any URL to access the Caltech Guest wireless network welcome page. Click the continue button to accept the guidelines; you will then be redirected to the intended destination.

Please note that use of the Caltech Guest wireless network is restricted to web (http and https), Secure Shell (SSH) and VPN (IPSec over UDP or TCP, NAT-T, PPTP, L2TP) protocols only. Other uses are not allowed. Note that guests are expected to use their home institution's VPN to access email or any other resources not available via a web browser.

Workshop Hotel and Other Accommodation Options

Workshop Hotel

A block of rooms at the standard government rate for 2009 has been reserved at the Pasadena Hilton for workshop participants. The Hilton is approximately 1 mile from the Caltech campus.

You must make your own reservations. To make reservations on-line at the Pasadena Hilton, use the on-line reservation web page. Alternatively, reservations can be made by calling 1-800-368-7764 and mentioning the group code: Sagan Summer Workshop (Caltech). Rooms must be booked before June 18, 2009 to be eligible for the workshop rate.

Please note: Financially supported workshop attendees and speakers should book their own hotel rooms and will be reimbursed after the workshop.

Pasadena Area Hotels

If you prefer other accommodations in the Pasadena area, there are a number of hotels and motels close to the Caltech campus. All financially supported workshop attendees must stay at the workshop hotel.

Getting Around

to and from the airport

If you arrive at LAX International Airport and need ground transportation to Pasadena, try one of the shuttle services (also known as "shared ride vans") available on a walk-up or reservation basis. The vans are available outside of LAX baggage claim under the orange sign. Contact information for airport shuttle services can be found here.

to and from the workshop

The distance between the Hilton hotel and the Caltech campus is approximately 1 mile, a pleasant 20 minute walk. Additionally, a shuttle bus will make 1-2 trips each morning between the hotel and Caltech. The first bus will leave the hotel at 7:45 am and the second trip will leave the hotel at 8:15 am. The workshop will start at 9:00 am each day. If you miss the bus, you can either walk or contact the Hilton shuttle.

Due to construction on the Caltech campus, the bus stop (for drop-off and pickup) for the workshop will be along Holliston Ave. Click here for a map showing the Holliston Ave. bus stop and the workshop location on the Caltech campus.

Once the presentations are over each afternoon, the bus will make two trips from the Caltech campus back to the Hilton. These trips will leave from the Holliston Ave. bus stop.

Parking at Caltech and the Hotel

Parking at Caltech

In order to park on the Caltech campus, you must purchase a visitor parking permit at an automated pay station (see map) and abide by Caltech parking regulations. Visitor permits may be purchased at the rate of $1 per hour, $5 per day, or $15 per week. A $5 daily permit is valid through the end of the business day (5:00 pm) on which the permit is purchased. Visitors are required to display a permit if their vehicle is parked on campus between 7am-5pm, Mon-Fri. and can only park in commuter zones.

A map of Caltech parking lots and the locations of automated pay stations is available here.

Parking at the Pasadena Hilton

Hilton Valet parking service is available at a special discounted rate of $10 per day which does not include in/out privileges. Overnight valet parking is also available at a special discounted group rate of $21 per overnight and does include in/out privileges. In addition, parking is available at a public parking structure adjacent to the hotel for $9 per day and $15 for overnight parking.

Workshop Events

Sunday Evening Reception & Registration

There will be a reception in the garden area outside the Beckman Institute Auditorium on Sunday, July 19 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. Registration materials will be available for pick-up. Hors d'oeuvres (not dinner) will be served.

Wednesday Afternoon Tour to the Griffith Observatory

Following the morning workshop session, we will take buses to the Griffith Observatory for an afternoon tour. The tour will include a planetarium show, a guided tour of the galleries and time to explore on your own.

The price of the tour is included in each workshop participant's registration feee. A limited number of guest tickets are available and may be purchased on the registration website for $25. This price includes the planetarium show, a box lunch and bus transportation. Please note that we will NOT issue refunds for purchased guest tickets.

Thursday Evening Banquet

The workshop banquet will be held Thursday evening at Twin Palms restaurant in Pasadena starting at 6 p.m. with dinner served at 6:30 p.m. Twin Palms is a 15-minute walk from the Hilton, the workshop hotel. There is also an inexpensive (50¢) shuttle bus (Pasadena ARTS bus - Route 10) that runs west along Colorado Blvd. and can be used to get from the hotel to the dinner. The ARTS bus runs every 10-15 minutes until 8 p.m.

The price of the dinner is included in each workshop participant's registration fee. A limited number of guest tickets are available and may be purchased on the registration website for $45. Please note that we will NOT issue refunds for purchased guest tickets. A cash bar will be available. We will not be providing bus transportation for this event.

Food

Area Restaurants Caltech and the Pasadena Hilton are located near fine restaurant choices on South Lake Ave., Paseo Colorado and Old Town Pasadena.

Food on the Caltech Campus

Caltech Dining Services offers several on campus eateries:

Things to do for Traveling Companions

Pasadena and the surrounding area has a great many diversions for your companions to enjoy while you're in class. A few suggestions:

Pasadena Weather

The weather in Pasadena in late July is typically hot and dry with daytime temperatures in the high 80s and night time temperatures in the mid 60s.

Click here for the current forecast.

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2009 Sagan Exoplanet Summer Workshop

last updated Feb. 6, 2009

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