Visa Information for Foreign Travelers

• Please apply for your visas as soon as possible.

• Information on visas for meeting organizers and participants is available at: http://national-academies.org/visas 

• Letters of Invitation: 

• Individuals requiring letters of invitation to obtain travel visas must be listed in the program to receive an invitation letter. Individuals requiring letters of invitation to obtain travel visas to present their papers need to send an e-mail to Conference Staff at InviteLetter@asilomarssc.org. Please, include the paper number, author(s), and title in your correspondence. 

• All letters of invitation will be sent by e-mail (as PDF attachments), airmail or faxed. Please allow ample time for processing requests. The Conference staff is not able to contact U.S. Embassies in support of an individual attempting to gain entry to attend the conference. We recommend that you start your visa application process as soon as you have been notified that your paper has been accepted, as the visa application process can be lengthy. Cancellations after the registration cutoff will result in a cancellation fee. 

Directions to the Asilomar Hotel and Conference Grounds, Pacific Grove, CA.  (back to top)

• If you're coming from San Francisco, or San Jose Airport (by car):

1. take HW 101 south to 156 west.

2. from 156 west take HW1 south.

3. stay on HW1 south until you reach the SECOND HW68 exit (HW68 West), the exit signs will say Asilomar-Pacific Grove-Pebble Beach).

4. At the exit, turn RIGHT at the first traffic light, this will be HW68 West. Note that the 1st and 2nd HW68 exit are a few miles apart. The exit road will be quite windy for a few miles as you go down to sea level, you'll pass the hospital on your right as you go down to sea level. HW68 will turn into Forest Avenue, get into the left lane, and follow the signs for HW68 (turn left on Sunset Drive).

5. You'll see signs for Asilomar Center a few miles down.

• If you're coming from the San Franscisco/San Jose airports (Shuttle Service Option available with the Monterey/Salinas Airbus): (back to top)

  The Monterey/Salinas airbus is a direct airport-to-airport bus which picks up passengers from various terminals in San Francisco & San Jose airports. It takes about 1.25 hours between San Jose airport and Monterey, and about 2 hours between the San Francisco airport and Monterey. Click here for further details and schedule. The Phone number is (831)-373-7777.

  It is possible to arrange for direct drop-off at the Conference Grounds with advance reservations (this option is highly recommended for travelers as it will greatly simplify your trip).

  One-way fare is $45.00 (as of 01/09). Reservations are recommended.

• If you are coming from the Monterey Airport (by car): (back to top)

1. Exit airport and take HW68 towards Monterey. (you should make a right turn at the first traffic light). At the rental car counter, ask for specific directions to connect to HW68 from the airport, as they are two ways to leave the airport....

2. take HW1 south, and stay on it until you see exit for HW68 - Pebble Beach, Asilomar exit (HW68 West).

3. At the exit, turn RIGHT at the first traffic light, this will be HW68 West. The exit road will be quite windy for a few miles as you go down to sea level, you'll pass the hospital on your right as you go down to sea level. HW68 will turn into Forest Avenue, get into the left lane, and follow the signs for HW68 (turn left on Sunset Drive).

4. You'll see signs for Asilomar Center a few miles down.

• If you are coming from the Monterey Airport (Public transportation option): (back to top)

Bus service is provided by Monterey-Salinas Public Transit, Asilomar Conference Grounds is serviced by bus #1, #2, or #2X  from Monterey. In order to reach the Conference Ground from the Monterey airport, use bus #13, #15, or #21,  from the MRY airport and transfer to bus #1, #2 or #2X at the transfer plaza in Monterey.  Check www.mst.org for current schedules and cost information. Exact change requested. If you plan to use the local bus system during your visit, note that a GOCard may be purchased online or during business hours at the MST Bus Stop Shop & Mobility Management Center, 150 Del Monte Avenue, Monterey, CA 93940 (located close by the Monterey transit center). See http://www.mst.org/fares/gocard/ for details.

• If you are coming from the Monterey Airport (Shuttle service option): (back to top)

Shuttle service between the Monterey Airport and Asilomar Conference Grounds or local hotels is provided by advance reservation with the Monterey/Salinas Airbus. Click here for pricing and further details. The Phone number is (831)-373-7777.

• Here are maps to help you: (back to top)

 Printable map to guide you from San Francisco or San Jose.

Other Printable map to guide you from San Jose

Printable map to guide you locally.