Venue Hotel
Marriott Hotel
2355 North Main Street
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Phone: (925) 934-2000
Fax: (925) 934-6374
The Marriott Hotel is the meeting venue.
Book your group rate for the Joint Genome Institute
Other Hotels
Holiday Inn Walnut Creek
2730 N. Main St
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Tel: +1-925-9323332
Fax: +1-925-2567672
Embassy Suites Hotel
1345 Treat Boulevard, Walnut Creek
Tel: +1-925-934-2500 or
1-800-EMBASSY, Fax: +1-925-256-7233
Renaissance ClubSport
2805 Jones Road
Walnut Creek
925-938-8700
LBNL Guest House
For those coming to the meeting who also have business at LBNL, consider staying at the Berkeley Lab Guest House, a 30 minute drive from JGI. Rates begin at $99 per night and include tax and parking. Contact Jen Zerfas or call the front desk at (510) 495-8000 for help making your reservation.
Visas
Participants from outside the United States should allow ample time for issuance of a visa if one is required of visitors from their country. Because of random in-depth security checks, the issuance of new visas can take up to three or even four months, so be sure to apply early.
Visa Waiver Countries
Citizens of countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) do not need to apply for visas to attend the User Meeting, as long as they have a machine-readable passport. (These are tamper-resistant and incorporate biometric identifiers in compliance with guidelines established by the International Civil Aviation Organization). If you are a traveler from a VWP country and you have a machine-readable passport, you may enter the United States using just your passport and your registration confirmation.
Non-Visa Waiver Countries
Citizens of countries not participating in the Visa Waiver Program will need to request a Business (B-1) visa at the nearest U.S. Consulate. Please present at the Consulate your registration confirmation along with your valid passport. We urge you to do this EARLY, as there are often delays in this process. Official letters of invitation (without financial commitment) to help overcome administrative difficulties in some countries can be sent upon written email request to the meeting administrator, Denise Yadon.
More information
- US Citizenship and Immigration Services
- The Office of Biometric Identity Management (OBIM) (formerly the US-VISIT program)
- US State Department Travel site
Airports
The most convenient airports to Walnut Creek are San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Oakland International Airport (OAK).
The Oakland airport is closest to Walnut Creek, but SFO offers a slightly easier connection to the regional train system, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), which stops near several Walnut Creek hotels. (Local shuttle service to your hotel can be arranged through the hotel.) Rental cars, shuttles, cabs, etc. are also available from both airports. See the links below for further information.
Meals
Coffee breaks and a lunch will be served during the User Meeting each day. The Marriott also offers a full breakfast at its Main Street Grill. Additionally, evening receptions will be held during the poster sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday.
For a list of local restaurants, download our Walnut Creek Guide.
Shuttles and Cabs
Shuttles and cabs are available from Oakland and San Francisco airports.
Shuttles between Marriott and JGI
There will be a shuttle service running between the JGI and the Walnut Creek Marriott for the Wednesday evening JGI Tours.
Public Transit
For information about taking BART from local airports, see: http://www.bart.gov/
Driving
From Oakland Airport to Marriott Hotel
(Estimated travel time, with no traffic: 30 minutes)
- Follow Airport exit signs onto AIRPORT DR.
- Turn RIGHT onto HEGENBERGER RD.
- After traveling about 0.8 miles, take the I-880 NORTH ramp.
- Travel about 1.5 miles and follow signs to get onto I-980 EAST.
- I-980 merges with and becomes CA-24 after about 4.4 miles.
- Travel 13.5 miles on CA-24 EAST through the CALDECOTT TUNNEL.
- Take the I-680 NORTH exit on the LEFT towards CONCORD/SACRAMENTO.
- Travel 0.3 miles on I-680, then take the N. MAIN ST exit.
- Turn left at N. MAIN ST.
- Travel approximately .2 miles on N. MAIN ST and then turn right at the light.
From San Francisco Airport to Marriott Hotel
(Estimated travel time, with no traffic: 50 minutes)
- Follow the SFO Airport EXIT signs to US-101 NORTH
- Take US-101 NORTH towards SAN FRANCISCO.
- Follow the signs to get onto I-80 EAST.
- Cross the SF Bay Bridge on I-80 EAST.
- Take I-580 EAST EXIT (towards HAYWARD/STOCKTON/DOWNTOWN OAKLAND).
- Stay on I-580 EAST until you reach the CA-24 EAST exit (towards BERKELEY/WALNUT CREEK).
- Take the CA-24 EAST exit.
- Travel on CA-24 EAST approx. 12.5 mi. through the CALDECOTT TUNNEL and past PLEASANT HILL exits.
- Take the I-680 NORTH exit on the LEFT towards CONCORD/SACRAMENTO.
- Travel 0.3 miles on I-680, then take the N. MAIN ST exit.
- Turn left at N. MAIN ST.
- Travel approximately .2 miles on N. MAIN ST, and then turn right at the light.
Parking
Valet parking will be available at the Marriott for a reduced rate. Check in at the registration desk for discount stickers.
Questions?
For more information about travel logistics for this meeting, please contact Stephanie Canon at 925-296-5645.