Freedom From Religion Foundation2006 - 29th Annual Convention |
The deadline to order meals is Monday, October 2.
(Meal reservations must be received via mail by the FFRF office no later than Friday, Sept. 31. You may phone the FFRF office 9-5 CST weekdays no later than Monday, Oct. 2 to reserve meals at 1-608-256-8900.)
Lodgings & Transportation
Don't panic if rooms aren't available!
Convention Site Information
Holiday Inn Golden Gateway
1500 Van Ness
San Francisco CA
415/441-4000
Check-in time: 3:00 PM
Check-out time: noon
The cutoff to reserve rooms at the convention rate of $139.00 single or double plus tax is Wed., Sept. 6, as rooms remain. Mention the FFRF convention to get the special rate. We recommend you phone the Holiday inn Golden Gateway directly at 415/441-4000, although you may phone the national number for all Holiday Inns: 1-800-465-4329 (have the Holiday Inn Golden Gateway address available to speed up the process). After the Sept. 6 cutoff or the room bloc is full prior to Sept. 6, rooms may still be available at the convention site, just not at the convention rate. You will have to negotiate with the hotel directly on the price.
(If you have to cancel your plans to attend and made reservations at the Holiday Inn Golden Gateway, please let the Freedom From Religion Foundation know right away, so that other members on a waiting list have a chance to reserve rooms at the convention rate. Phone 608/256-8900 9-5 CST weekdays to alert us. Thank you.)
Parking at the hotel for those registered is $15/night plus tax, with in/out privileges. Parking is $12/day for commuters, no in/out privileges.
Transportation from Airport
There is no complimentary shuttle service from the airports. A typical taxi fee from San Francisco airport to Holiday Inn Golden Gateway is around $40 - $48 and from Oakland airport to the hotel it is around $60 - $70.
Shuttles run about $15 one-way from the San Francisco airport.
Signs at the airport which indicate shuttles to downtown areas. (If you cannot spot these signs there are several information booths located inside the airport.) You do not need to use a special phone. Van service is available on a walkup basis. However, passengers are advised to make reservations for service after 11:00 p.m. Door-to-door vans pick up on the Departures/Ticketing Level from the roadway Center Island at all terminals.
Here are some of the companies:
Airport Express
American Airporter Shuttle
Bay Shuttle
Lorrie's Airport Shuttle
Quake City Shuttle
Super Shuttle
Rates from San Francisco airport average about $15. Some shuttle companies may charge one or two dollars more so always verify the charge. (From Oakland airport the rates are $28.00, give or take one or two dollars depending on the company.)
You can also take public transportation, BART, (about $3) from the San Francisco Airport to the Civic Center Station, then take a 3-minute cab ride to Holiday Inn.
From the Holiday Inn Golden Gateway, hotel guests can make shuttle reservations at the Gift Shop, which acts as concierge and can help guests with shuttle reservations, sell cable car passes (1-day or 3-day passes), book tours, etc.
Shuttle Services from Holiday Inn Golden Gateway to San Francisco airport: $12.00 per person
Shuttle Services from hotel to Oakland airport: $25.00 for 1st person, $10.00 for each additional person
Gift Shop Hours: Monday - Sunday, 7AM - 10PM.
Contacts: Aida & Sue
Tel: 415-441-5169
Where Else Can I Stay?
If you are told the room bloc is full at the convention site, the Holiday Inn Golden Gateway may still have rooms to offer, just not at the convention rate. Ask what rate they can extend to you. If you have membership in any associations such as AAA, try asking if any discounts are available for you.
Although the Oct. 6-8 FFRF convention coincides with Fleet Week in San Francisco, hotel rooms should be available! Here are options:
Phone San Francisco Reservations
1-800-677-1500
The FFRF convention site is "midtown" so you can ask first for hotels in that area. For instance, the Broadway Manor Inn, 3 blocks from the hotel, has rooms right now through San Francisco Reservations at $109.00 plus tax (as this is posted). If you have a car, or don't mind using public transportation or a taxi, you may find good options that are not within walking distance.
To find hotels online, try:
www.aaa.com (if you have AAA membership)
Another possibility for those who don't mind a little uncertainty, is to phone the Freedom From Religion Foundation office at 608/256-8900 9-5 CST weekdays to leave your name, address, phone number and e-mail with us in case there are convention hotel cancellations at the Holiday Inn Golden Gateway. (If you have a reservation at the hotel, change your plans and cancel, please let the FFRF office know immediately. That way, we can ask the hotel to reserve your former rooms at the convention rate for other convention-goers on a waiting list.) If openings occur, we will phone/email you. (No guarantees.)