Travel

Conference Location

The conference will be held in the Microsoft Conference Center in Mountain View, California. The Microsoft Silicon Valley Campus is home to Microsoft TV and Microsoft Mediaroom product development. The address is 1065 La Avenida, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA

Mountain View is in the area known informally as “ Silicon Valley”, home to the highest concentration of high-tech companies in the world. Silicon Valley is in the southern part of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Airports

Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) is about 20 minutes away by car and the closest airport to Mountain View. San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the largest airport in the area and approximately 45 minutes away by car. Oakland International Airport (OAK) is about 43 minutes away by car.

Accommodations

We have negotiated a limited number of rooms at a discounted rate of $179/night (plus taxes) at the Creekside Inn in Palo Alto. Transportation to and from the Microsoft Conference Center and nightly activities will be provided to conference guests staying at this hotel. To make a reservation, please contact Kerrilynn Symonds, Sales Manager, Creekside Inn, 650-213-4218, 650-852-9500 (fax), ksymonds@creekside-inn.com. Please refer to the “Microsoft Corporation Group” room block.

Visas

Visitors to the USA may be required to obtain a visa. Please visit the US Dept. of State Web site for more information.

Attractions

There are many world-class attractions in the general vicinity. The conference ends on a Friday afternoon to encourage you to spend the weekend touring and enjoying the sights.

The city of San Francisco is about 35 miles (56 km) north of the Conference Center. Although you could stay in San Francisco during the conference, it would be inconvenient to travel because of traffic. However, you might consider spending the weekend in San Francisco. It is a fantastic city to visit.

The California wine country, centered in the Napa valley is about 80 miles (129 km) north of the Conference Center. This area contains hundreds of wineries, producing some of the best wines in the world.

The towns of Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur are about 90 miles (145 km) south of the Conference Center. This area is one of the most scenic and enjoyable on the California coast.

Yosemite National Park is about 190 miles (233 km) east of the Conference Center. Yosemite is one of the first wilderness parks in the United States and it is best known for its many waterfalls. Within its nearly 1,200 square miles (3108 km sq), you can find deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, a vast wilderness area, and much more.

The Weather in October

The Fall Season in the San Francisco Bay Area is truly the best time of year for weather. Days are warm and sunny and nights are mild and clear. Rainfall is rare, the fog has cleared and the long warming process has reached its peak, making September, October and early November the three best months to visit San Francisco Bay Area.