Travel Information / Travel and Transportation

Travel

• Location
  Monterey County is situated on California’s central coast with its northern border approximately 100 miles south of San Francisco and its southern border about 200 miles north of Los Angeles. California Highway 101 bisects the county, providing easy access to all Salinas Valley cities and the Monterey Peninsula, while Highway 1 offers a scenic view of the California coast.
  
  
• Weather
  In September the weather is mild and the summer fog has normally disappeared. Near the bay areas, temperatures are unpredictable and can change dramatically from morning to evening. Wear layered clothing and carry a light jacket.
  
  
• Time Zone
  U.S. Pacific Daylight Time
  (8 hours from GMT)
  
  
• Visa/Passports are required by foreign visitors to the United States.
  IFSA03 Conference personnel do not provide for Visa/Passport arrangements. Please check with your local governmental authorities for assistance.

Transportation

• From San Francisco/San Jose Airports and Northern CA
  Take HWY 101 South to HWY 156 West to HWY 1 South. Exit at Pacific Grove/Del Monte Avenue. Continue down Del Monte Avenue for 1.5 miles, staying in the left lane. Stay to the left past the fork following downtown signs (not going through the tunnel). The hotel is 2 blocks up on the right side in Portola Plaza (right turn off Del Monte Blvd.). American Eagle, America West, and United Express airlines fly from San Francisco (SFO) and San Jose (SJC) to the Monterey Peninsula Airport. There is only taxi service from the airport to the DoubleTree Hotel.
  
  
• From Los Angeles/Southern CA traveling on 101 North
  Take Monterey Peninsula Exit, which will bring you to HWY 68. Travel on HWY 68 to HWY 1 South. Take the first Monterey exit. Turn right at the first stop light (Camino Aguajito) and continue until it dead ends. Turn left on Del Monte Avenue and stay to the left past the fork following downtown signs (not going through the tunnel). The hotel is 2 blocks up on the right side in Portola Plaza (right turn off Del Monte Blvd.). American Eagle, America West, and United Express airlines fly from Los Angeles (LAX) to the Monterey Peninsula Airport. There is only taxi service from the airport to the DoubleTree Hotel.
  
  
  
  
• Parking
  At the Double Tree:
  - Without valet, parking is $13.00 per day with unlimited in and outs
  - With valet, parking is $15.00 per day with unlimited in and outs
  
  Across the street:
  - Parking is $5 per day without in and outs
  
  
• Train Service
  AMTRAK service goes to Salinas, CA only. If there are four or more in your party, you can take the AMTRAK bus from Salinas to the Monterey Transit Center in downtown Monterey. For AMTRAK rates and schedules, and for information about the AMTRAK bus from Salinas to Monterey, contact AMTRAK at 455 Market Street #970, San Francisco, CA 94105, or call (800) 872-7245. If you cannot take the AMTRAK bus, you can take the Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST) (see below).
  
  
• Public Transportation
  The Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST) bus system stops at the Monterey airport. The buses are clean and wheelchair accessible. Take any number Monterey-bound bus. Ask for a transfer when you board. Transfers are free. You may call MST for detailed schedule information (831) 899-2555.
  
  
• Car Rental
  The following are some of the car rental companies that service the Monterey area. It is highly recommended that you call to reserve your car well in advance, since some local events such as golf tournaments and music festivals have been known to create a rental car shortage.
  
  Avis Rent A Car
  (831) 647-7140
  
  Budget Rent A Car
  (831) 373-1899
  
  Dollar Rent A Car
  (831) 422-2619
  
  Enterprise Rent-A-Car
  (831) 649-6300
  
  Hertz Worldwide Car Rental
  (831) 373-3318
  
  National Car Rental
  (831) 373-4181