Visas
Travel Support
Air Transportation
Local Transportation
Enjoying Southern California

Visas

In view of the terrorist attacks on the United States and the ensuing war, homeland security precautions have led to more careful scrutiny of visa applications, which could result in delays.

Visas are normally obtained from a United States embassy or consulate in your home country; they cannot be obtained upon arrival. To obtain a formal letter of invitation, please contact the local organizing chair. General information on visas for visitors to the United States is available here.

Visa Waivers

Participants from the following 28 countries are eligible for the visa waiver program, which allows a stay of up to 90 days in the United States:

Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Uruguay.

Be sure to stay informed about any possible changes to visa requirements.

Travel Support

A limited budget is available to defer travel expenses for participants in this meeting. Preference will be given to those presenting talks, graduate students, and (per NSF requirements) members of traditionally under-represented groups. If you would like to apply for support, please send a brief letter of introduction and an abstract to the local organizing co-chair.

Air Travel

Please be aware that stricter security measures on flights both within and to the United States may require earlier airport arrival for departure. Check with your local airport for details.

John Wayne (Orange County) Airport (SNA)

John Wayne Airport, located in Santa Ana, serves Orange County and is the recommended point of arrival for the meeting.  In addition to being smaller and less crowded than LAX, it is only about 5 minutes from the conference hotel, and 10 minutes from the site of the meeting. The conference hotel operates a free courtesy shuttle directly to and from the airport.

The following airlines operate from John Wayne:

Daily non-stop flights are available to and from 22 cities, including major domestic hubs and international gateways.  Honolulu (HNL), Seattle (SEA), San Francisco (SFC) and San Jose (SJC) are ideal connection points to Orange County from the Pacific. Connecting through LAX is also possible, but less convenient.

If you are renting a car, see below for directions to the hotel and meeting site, or ask the car rental agent to give you a map (the hotel is only a few minutes from the airport).

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

The larger (and far more crowded) Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is approximately one hour (45 miles/75 km) from the meeting, under favorable traffic conditions.  You may rent a car or take a shared-ride shuttle (~$40 1-way) or taxi (~$70 or more) from LAX to the conference hotel.

Shuttle Service from LAX

Two shuttle services, PrimeTime Shuttle and SuperShuttle, can take you from the airport to the hotel. Note that shuttle reservations are usually unnecessary and you should not have to wait more than 10-15 minutes for a ride even without a reservation.  Look for the orange signs indicating "Shared Ride Vans" on the inner island outside each terminal. A map of the airport indicating these stops is also available.  You will want to find a shuttle to Orange County/Beach Cities; if you are staying at the conference hotel, it is the Country Inn and Suites, located off Highway 73, near John Wayne Airport in the city of Costa Mesa.

Post-conference shuttle service to LAX can be arranged with your hotel staff. Note shared-ride shuttle service implies that other passengers may be picked up after you on the way to the airport, so be sure to allow plenty of time.

If you rent a car, see the Directions section below to reach the hotel or meeting by freeway.

Local Transportation

Please see the Accommodations page for more information on the conference hotel and the Registration page for a reservation form.

The conference hotel operates a free courtesy shuttle from John Wayne Airport.  Free daily shuttle service to and from the meeting (the hotel has its own shuttle and can accommodate late arrivers or anyone missing the conference bus on a limited basis).  For those with cars, parking at the meeting site itself is free.

Map

An interactive map showing the conference hotel and meeting site is available via MapQuest. You may zoom in or out, or pan in any direction by clicking. The link will also allow you to obtain driving directions from anywhere in North America  and find nearby restaurants and attractions.

Click here for a printable local map.

Directions to Conference Hotel

The conference hotel is located off state highway 73 (also known as the Costa Mesa Freeway).  From the north (e.g. LAX), take the Interstate 405 South ("San Diego Freeway") to 73 South. You will be on I-405 for about 35 miles (55 km) before reaching 73. From highway 73, take the Bear St. exit, then turn right onto Bristol St. The hotel (Country Inn and Suites), which will be on your right, roughly 2 km from the highway 73 exit.

Directions to Meeting Site

To reach the meeting site directly from LAX, follow the directions above (405 South to 73 South). Exit Hwy. 73 at the Bison St. exit, which leads onto the UCI campus. After entering the campus, turn left at the first traffic light (California St.) and follow it until it ends at Academy Way. Turn left on Academy Way and the Beckman Center will be on your immediate right.

From the hotel, follow Bristol St. until you reach the on-ramp for Hwy. 73 South. Take Hwy. 73 to the Bison St. exit, then follow the directions above.

Enjoying Southern California

Southern California, "entertainment capital of the world", is a popular year-round destination for tourism and features restaurants and attractions of every imaginable (and some unimaginable...) description. If your schedule permits, consider spending an extra day or two before heading back to the real world!

Weather

You can generally expect dry weather, sunny skies and comfortable daytime temperatures (15-20º C) in mid-December. You will probably want to bring a light jacket or sweater for the cooler evenings (5-10º C).

Dining

A list of nearby restaurants will be provided with the registration package.  Your hotel can also recommend excellent dining opportunities serving every type of American and ethnic fare.

A printable list with a sampling of some nearby dining options is available.

You can also look for restaurants (and other Orange County entertainment) on the web.

Entertainment

The Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm amusement parks are approximately a half hour's drive from the conference site.  For those willing to go further afield, Los Angeles and Hollywood offer the world-famous Universal Studios tour, the legendary Walk of Fame, and (for more high-brow pursuits) the Getty Museum.

Many tour guides are available for Greater Los Angeles, and your hotel can also help you arrange excursions or find plays, musicals, concerts to suit your taste.

San Diego is only a little over an hour's drive, and offers further possibilities, including the San Diego Zoo (perhaps the finest anywhere) and SeaWorld.