How should I get to San Francisco?
AIR: there are three options:
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the closest. From there, you can take a $40 taxi/Lyft/Uber ride to the hotel or a $13 public transportation option. For public transportation you take BART (all lines work) to Montgomery Station and then either walk ½ mile to the hotel or walk two blocks to Kearny St. and take the 8 Bus towards Fisherman’s Wharf exit at Kearny & Clay.
You will need to purchase a Clipper card ($3) to ride BART. The card also works on the buses in San Francisco as well. To avoid the $3 charge, you can Download the Clipper app on your mobile device. More info here.
Oakland International Airport (OAK) is also a good option. From there, you can take a $65 taxi/Lyft/Uber ride to the hotel or a $15 public transportation option. For public transportation you take an AirBART shuttle to the Coliseum BART station. You then take the blue or green lines towards SF/Daly City and exit at Montgomery Station. You then either walk ½ mile to the hotel or walk two blocks to Kearny St. and take the 8 Bus towards Fisherman’s Wharf exit at Kearny & Clay.
You will need to purchase a Clipper card ($3) to ride BART. The card also works on the buses in San Francisco as well. To avoid the $3 charge, you can Download the Clipper app on your mobile device. More info here.
San Jose International Airport (SJC) is doable, but extremely inconvenient. It is around 50 miles from the hotel and requires over an hour of driving without traffic. A taxi from SJC to the hotel will run over $100. The public transportation options require at least 2 hours of additional travel time. You can take the VTA #60 shuttle bus to the Santa Clara CalTrain station where you can catch a train into San Francisco. There is also a bus that runs to SFO called the Monterey Airbus. From there you can follow the public transportation options for SFO.
DRIVING
Driving is also an option. It costs an additional $60/day fee to park a car overnight at the hotel. The hotel cannot accommodate oversized vehicles. There is also a parking garage across the street from the hotel that charges $32/day, although this price can change depending on special events in the area. It is recommended that you contact the parking garage closer to the convention date to confirm the price. There is very little overnight street parking near the hotel.
WARNING: There are frequent car break-ins in San Francisco. DO NOT leave any loose items in the car, including the trunk, even in the parking garage. Thieves especially target cars with out of state license plates, but all cars are vulnerable.
How do I get around San Francisco?
San Francisco is a compact city existing within a 7 mile by 7 mile square. Public transportation, Taxi/Uber/Lyft, walking, and driving are all options to traverse the city.
Public Transportation
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), and Caltrain are your sources for buses and trains in the SF area. Locals say “Muni,” “BART,” and “Caltrain.”
You will need to purchase a Clipper card ($3) to ride BART. The card also works on Muni and Caltrain. To avoid the $3 charge, you can Download the Clipper app on your mobile device. More info here.
In addition to the Clipper card, Muni accepts cash payments on their buses and ticket machines in the metro. You can also purchase Caltrain tickets at each station on the ticket machines.
Uber/Lyft/Taxi
Uber and Lyft are pricier than public transportation, but sharing the ride with fellow conventioneers can make this option slightly less expensive. Cars from these services come within a few minutes in almost all areas of San Francisco. Taxis are few and far between in SF, except at the airport.
Walking
Overall San Francisco is generally a safe place to walk, but always be aware of your surroundings and avoid the areas where groups of people congregate to sell & use drugs, specifically in the Tenderloin District along certain areas of Market Street near Civic Center and the area south of Market along 6th street. Do not look down at your phone while you walk.
What if I want to leave the conference to sight-see?
We have a packed agenda and don’t want anyone to miss out on the conference, but you are welcome to take a break and explore San Francisco
What is the neighborhood like and how close is it to major sites?
The hotel is located in Chinatown, the oldest and largest Chinatown in North America. Chinatown is brimming with cafes, shops, bars, and restaurants – all within walking distance.
The hotel is also within walking distance of the following areas: North Beach – the historic Italian neighborhood and hangout of the Beatniks; Union Square – an upscale shopping district; The Embarcadero – a picturesque promenade along the shoreline; The Ferry Building – an historic building which houses an assortment of shops.
Nearby quick trips:
In conjunction with WDI, a feminist art show is opening just steps from the hotel on Saturday September 16th. Titled A Nasty Piece of Work: The Art of Dissident Feminists, it will feature an international group of women artists, such as Jess De Wahls, Claudia Clare, Nina Paley, and more. Additional information will be available closer to the date.
The hotel itself houses the Chinese Culture Center which features art exhibitions and an art focused design store. The center is free and open to the public.
The following are all a quick trip within a 3 block walk from the hotel:
Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory – Established in 1962, a hidden gem tucked away in an alley. This quaint store produces over 20,000 cookies a day by hand. Cable Cars – The nearest stop is at the corner of Kearny & California. Tickets are $8 and can be purchased directly from the cable car operator. All tickets are one-way. City Lights Booksellers – This is a 3 story independent bookstore and literary meeting place of Beat-era poets. Next door is Vesuvio Cafe and Bar, a North Beach landmark and hangout of writers like Keroac and Ginsberg.
To see major sites like the Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park, or Lombard street you will need several hours.
What if my travel times conflict with the conference events?
No problem, but we don’t want you missing out. If possible please plan to arrive by check-in on Friday at 4:00 p.m. so that you can get checked in and be ready for dinner at 6:00 p.m.
Is WDI USA hosting a rideshare or coordinating travel?
No, WDI USA is not in a position to coordinate rideshare or travel.
Is WDI USA organizing any social activities outside of the conference?
In conjunction with WDI, a feminist art show is opening just steps from the hotel on Saturday September 16th. Titled, A Nasty Piece of Work: The Art of Dissident Feminists, it will feature an international group of women artists, such as Jess De Wahls, Claudia Clare, Nina Paley, and more. Additional information will be available closer to the date.
There is a bar in the hotel for non-conference socializing, and many other options in the neighborhood. It is a 3 block walk to the edge of North Beach which is home to dozens of bars, cafes, and restaurants.
We do ask that everyone respect our hotel hosts and the other hotel guests. Unprofessional or unlawful conduct will not be tolerated.
Can I get a discount or scholarship to attend?
Unfortunately, we are not able to offer this at this time. Revenue from ticket prices will not cover the costs of hosting the conference. We are hoping that as many women who can afford the $250 Appreciation ticket will purchase one so that as many women who need the $25 Hardship ticket will be able to get one.
What else do I need to know?
Our First National Convention ignited the Women’s Liberation Movement in the United States. Our Second National Convention is intended to accelerate it. We will be talking a lot about the Declaration on Women’s Sex-Based Rights and discussing how, as a movement, we can best move forward in transforming ourselves and society. We will be disciplined and professional, we will listen and speak, and we will have fun. Our aim is to liberate women and girls, and we intend to accomplish that objective. Let’s go, even faster.
Will my dietary needs/preferences be honored?
Yes, the hotel will be able to provide a wide range of dietary options that satisfy the needs of all participants.
What if I want to get an AirBnB instead of staying at the hotel? What are some good neighborhoods to look at?
The hotel is in Chinatown and close to North Beach, so those are two good neighborhoods to start your search.
