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2010 Sagan Exoplanet Summer Workshop
Local Information

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Workshop Site

The 2010 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. 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. Please note that you will likely need computer access to take part in the hands-on Kepler/CoRoT projects.

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.

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. 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

As of June 25, the room block at the Pasadena Hilton is now full! We have secured additional rooms at the Westin hotel which is 0.5 miles north of the Hilton at 191 North Los Robles Ave. To make room reservations at the Westin please call the hotel directly at: (626) 792-2727. Tell the reservation agent that you are part of the Sagan Summer Workshop group; the rate here is $135 per night, the maximum lodging per diem available. Note that the workshop bus will not make a stop at the Westin and you'll have to walk down to the Hilton to catch the bus if you want a ride.

A block of rooms at the standard government rate for 2010 has been reserved at the Pasadena Hilton for workshop participants. The Hilton is approximately 1 mile from the Caltech campus.

Please note that free internet access is included for workshop attendees at the Hilton. Upon check-in you'll receive a special code from the front desk agent. Using this code will give you the complimentary internet during your stay at the Hilton.

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 name of the event: Sagan Summer Workshop (IPAC). Rooms must be booked before June 24, 2010 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. If you are an attendee who has been awarded financial support for your hotel fees, you must stay at the workshop hotel. Complimentary internet is included in the room rate at the Pasadena Hilton so please follow any instructions you receive to make use of this complimentary access.

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. Please note that if you are a speaker and we are reimbursing your hotel fees, the maximum lodging you are allowed is $135/day.

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. More information on transportation between area airports and the hotel 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. Specific times for the morning bus runs and drop off points will be posted on this page closer to the workshop dates. Once the presentations are over each afternoon, the bus will make two trips from the Caltech campus back to the Hilton.

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. There is also 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 25 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. Registration materials will be available for pick-up. Hors d'oeuvres (not dinner) will be served. So that we may order the appropriate amount of food, we ask that you RSVP for this event when you register, or let us know by email (sagan_workshop@ipac.caltech.edu) if your plans change after you've registered.

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 fee. 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 at Mijares Mexican restaurant

On Thursday evening we'll gather for a social evening at Mijares (145 Palmetto Dr., Pasadena) starting at 6 p.m. with dinner served at 6:30 p.m. Mijares has been serving Mexican food to Pasadena residents and visitors for over 90 years and is 15-minute walk from the Hilton, the workshop hotel. We will not be providing bus transportation for this event. If you drive your own car, there is plenty of free parking available at the restaurant.

The price of the dinner is included in each workshop participant's registration fee. The buffet dinner will include a full selection of Mexican food, dessert, and soft drinks, coffee, iced tea; vegetarian and vegan options will be available upon request. A cash bar will be available. Guest tickets are available for $37 and may be purchased through the registration website.

Please note that we will NOT issue refunds for purchased guest tickets.


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 at the workshop. A few suggestions:


Pasadena Weather

The weather in Pasadena in late July is typically hot. Click here for the current forecast.

Useful Maps


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2010 Sagan Exoplanet Summer Workshop

last updated Feb. 5, 2010

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