Participant Housing & Logistics
Upon acceptance and confirmation of attendance, 2012 conference participants will receive a detailed document with logistical information, lodging recommendations, and other essential details. Meantime, we hope the information below provides some general guidelines. If you’d like to see other or additional information included here, let us know: writecon@napavalley.edu.
Housing & Lodging
We offer some community housing options for scholarship recipients. Otherwise, participants are responsible for arranging their own lodging during the conference week.
There are many lodging possibilities in St. Helena, as well as in nearby Napa and Calistoga. It’s best to make reservations as soon as you can, since beds tend to fill up during the summer. In St. Helena, the El Bonita Motel offers good value close to campus. Also look in Calistoga and Napa if you’re on a tight budget. In addition, the Spanish Villa Inn in St. Helena offers special rates for conference participants.
Napa Valley Reservations is a free, locally-owned central reservation service for lodging in the area. The service can match you with lodging that suits your preferences and budget.
Travel to the Conference
Evans Airport Service runs from the San Francisco and Oakland airports to Napa and Yountville. Call (707) 255-1559 for schedules. The shuttle runs north only as far as Yountville, about 10 miles south of St. Helena. Participants can arrange for rides from the airport or the Evans terminal through the participant email discussion group, which will be set up in May of 2012.
The week will begin with check-in and orientation at the St. Helena campus Sunday afternoon, July 22, 2012, and will finish with a brief closing ceremony around 1 pm Friday, July 27.
Transportation during conference week
We’re taking advantage of our setting in the Napa Valley and have scheduled some evening events at wineries up and down the valley. You’ll find it helpful to have a car during the week, but if you don’t, try to book rooms as close to the college as you can. We’ll arrange carpools to evening events.
Food
We will provide breakfast and lunch on campus served to us by Barbara and Christa, executive chefs of the Napa Valley Cooking School.
On Sunday night we’ll have an informal reception with light supper, wine and other beverages, and we’ll host a picnic on Thursday.
On the other nights, you can plan to dine anywhere you’d like. The Napa Valley is home to some of the finest restaurants in the country, so plan to splurge at least one night (the participant handbook includes a list of recommended restaurants). There is a wide variety available, both in expense and cuisine.
Computers
We have Internet-linked PCs at the St. Helena campus. Unfortunately, there is no student store at this campus and no other source for computer supplies nearby.
Clothing and weather
The weather in the Napa Valley can vary from the 90s during the day to the 50s at night and early in the morning, so bring a range of clothing. Dress for all events is casual.
