Are you going to the User's Conference?

[randychase]

All the info is here:
http://ug.innoveda.com/

I HIGHLY recommend you go. The combination of entertainment, food, fun and information...all with the ability to network and enjoy the company of others in your field is not to be missed. Last year's at Huntington Beach was well worth it.

If you would like information on what to do or see in San Diego, please ask. I live near this conference location. :)

Who all is going? It would be cool to meet each other. I know Tom Hausherr will be there since he is giving a presentation. I will be there. Who else?

[Lameris]

Lunch, can we keep it that short?

I think it will end up being an all night affair at a bar somewhere, even though I don't think Tom drinks...

[randychase]

Originally posted by Lameris
Lunch, can we keep it that short?

I think it will end up being an all night affair at a bar somewhere, even though I don't think Tom drinks...

Well, you can't add caffiene to the man, he would ignite or something. Good idea on meeting up somewhere!

[Mark Larson]

Looking for suggestions on where to go, already been to Balboa Park, Gaslamp District eateries & Horton Plaza, Mission Beach. Are there any Italian restraunts by the hotel? or good breakfeast spots?

We got 5" of snow yesterday (April Fool!) & a couple are falling now, I skied before work, but sunny San Diego can not come soon enough.

[Mark Larson]

here is a picture outside the office window for those of you in sunny locales who don't get enough of the white stuff

[randychase]

Originally posted by Mark Larson
Looking for suggestions on where to go, already been to Balboa Park, Gaslamp District eateries & Horton Plaza, Mission Beach. Are there any Italian restraunts by the hotel? or good breakfeast spots?



Hey, I like to play tour guide. :)

Old Town San Diego. This is one of the biggest tourist attractions. Here you will find the original site of Downtown before it was moved to the edge of the bay. A lot of this has been converted to a state park. Find a place to park and walk around. Shops and restaurants. Mostly crowded at peak times. Eat instead at Casa Guadalajara (within walking distance). Great victorian homes in Heritage Park. Visit the Presidio Park (nice!) and see the Mormon Monument and the museum. Learn about how the Mormons marched to San Diego to help the citizens. Here you can board the Old Towne Trolley to tour San Diego (about $15 but worth it to get a good overview).

Point Loma: National Park. A great drive thru a stunning Military Cemetary to an old lighthouse that is now a National park (Cabrillo Monument). Great views. From Mid December to February, you can view whales migrating. See the ships coming into the bay and the jets landing at North Island. Bring some good binoculars. Nice hiking and there are tidepools to explore. Good informative giftshop.


Seaworld. Mission Bay.

San Diego Zoo. San Diego Wild Animal Park for something a little different.

La Jolla Cove. You have to go here. Find a place to park. Stroll down to the waters edge in the cove. This is a protected underwater park and fish (orange Garibaldi) will swim right up to you if you snorkel here. I have scuba dived here. The park above the cove is awesome. You can see Sea Lions, Pelicans, and assorted wildlife here. Walk down to the Children's Cove directly south (one block). You will see Sea Lions hanging out at the rocks and on the beach. You may catch a glimpse of body surfers braving the surf and rocks.

La Jolla Village. Just next to the cove is the village itself. Home to many Ferraris and places to eat. Bring your wallet. It's very nice to just sit ata sidewalk table of a coffee place or cafe and people watch here. Hard Rock Cafe if you are into it. Drive up to MOunt Soledad. You get to drive thru many million$$+ homes. The view from here is cool. You can see the ocean to the west (including Torrey Pines to the north). To your east is where the old Miramar Fighter Pilot school was (Top Gun..Fighter Town USA). A nice view of the technotropolis and the biotech corridor of San Diego.

Stephen Birch Aquarium and UCSD, both in the La Jolla area. I recommend eating at BJ's Pizza off La Jolla Village Drive. Check out the Mormon Temple, it's quite something.

Torrey Pines. Great golf course, nice glider port. Watch the hang gliders go off the cliffs. Below you is Black's Beach...a clothing optional zone. It's not considered cool to take binoculars.

Del Mar. Eat at Jakes or Poseiden. You can have a lunch on the beach and watch dolphins in the surf if they are around.

Carlsbad. See the worlds biggest Pointsettia nursery (Eckes) in this city of flower farms. The site of LegoLand. The Ranunculus fields in the spring (off of Palomar Airport Road) are stunning. They are in bloom around March to April.

Coronado Island. Was home of Frank Baum, creater of Oz. See the famous Hotel Del Coronado. The "del" had it's lights installed by Edison. "Some Like it Hot" was filmed here. The book/movie "Somewhere in Time" was based on the Del (but later shot at the Grand in Macinac Island). Tour the area homes and mansions. You can walk into the Del Hotel (it's great inside!) and even eat in one of the restaurants. There is a small Deli inside and you can take the food out to the wide beach. Nice park at the north end of the island near Ferry Landing. Great restaurant (Peohe's). Coronado is home to North Island, the naval base where you may see Aircraft Carriers parked. To get here, go across the bridge or take the ferry. Exit into Coronado on the right lane (carpool) and it's free to use the bridge


Hey... there is much more, but you only have a day. :)

[randychase]

Originally posted by Mark Larson
here is a picture outside the office window for those of you in sunny locales who don't get enough of the white stuff


Something happened to your file. The pic was covered in this white stuff.

[randychase]

http://banners.wunderground.com/banner/default/US/CA/San_Diego.gif

[randychase]

Very nice Italian restaurant is right down the street from you.

http://www.doubletreesandiego.com/hospitality/contactart/map.gif

Just go a little west on Friar's Road to the Hazard Center and you will see a place called Prego's


If you are in La Jolla, I recommend Trattoria Aqua overlooking the cove.

Also on Friar's Road, I recommend Forever Fondue. A place done in a 70's theme with great food and fondue to die for. There is also one located in La Jolla with great ocean views.

[Mark Larson]

Wow, thanks, biggest trouble now is deciding, only have a day and a half. I did get a glimpse of La Jolla on my way to Carlsbad-Oceanside area last year, I think I was the only one there wearing a T shirt, but nobody asked me to leave.

My outdoor thermometer said 15F this morning, but the forecast is near 60 for this weekend, that is tropical for April in MN

From the last 2 conferences I have learned it is important to exercise before going, during, and after unless you don't mind gaining a few pounds. I will once again be bringing my running shoes and inline skates, I plan on hopping a bus to Mission Beach area at least one morning, anybody is welcome to join me but you will have to get up early, I will not miss gorging at the pre conference breakfeast table. Last year I skated down past the pier at Laguna Beach and back. Gotta make room for that food and desert table.

[Lameris]

Yippie! I finally got approved and I am arriving very late Thursday night so that I can spend Friday, Sat, and Sunday touring the area with my partner.

Thanks for the list of things to do.

How easy is it to get to Tijuana?
Should I spend the extra nights at the hotel or is there another place anyone would recommend?

Gary Lameris

[randychase]

Getting to TJ is easy. I recommend parking at the last exit before the border and walking across. You don't need a taxi if you don't mind walking a couple blocks. If you do decide to drive in, you should plan on some potential delay at the border (coming back) and you will need Mexican insurance.

I like the Doubletree, but that would depend on how much you want to spend. If you can afford it, I would stay at the Hotel Del or in La Jolla. :)

[randychase]

It's nice of course to stay at the hotel where the event is, but if you are on a budget, there are some cheaper alternatives. Most large chain hotels in the Mission Valley area of San Diego will not be cheap. It's a tourist area. But if you head a few miles out, east for one example, you can find much lower prices and still be in a nice area.

I can look up some specific hotels, but directly east of I-15 on I-8 (about 5miles east of the conference) are a few hotels that advertise at $36-44 a night. Nothing fancy, but they leave the light on. One is a Budget 8. Within walking distance of cheap and good food too.

[randychase]

Super 8. There are a couple of them. One is east a bit, but rooms range from $35 and up. A quick look showed some rooms at $43.

http://www.super8.com/Super8/control/Booking/hotel_details?p_brand=SE&pid=04931

Easy on and off the freeway, close to food, close to where I will be driving by on the way to the conference. :)http://www.super8.com/Super8/Booking/branded/SE/images/04931_c1.jpg

Nothing fancy but cheap and clean. Share the room with someone and it's really a good price!

[randychase]

There is Motel 6, but again it depends on location. The one in Mission Valley is a little more expensive at $52 per night. Check out http://www.motel6.com

The one a bit east is $43 a night.

http://www.motel6.com/reservations/motel_detail.asp?MotelId=1319

[Mark Larson]

Gary,

If your company is paying for a rental car, great, if you have to pay for it yourself you might want to consider using the transit system which you can get a multi day pass cheap and the trolley will dump you right at the border. I believe the routes between TJ and San Diego are 24/7. You do not want to take a car across the border unless you are not the one to suffer the financial consequences. This isn't a slow trolley like San Francisco, faster train like with fewer stops than a bus.

[Lameris]

Well, I was mostly getting the car to see my cousin in LA. That may not work out due to his schedule.

I kind of figured I couldn't take the car to Mexico, but based on your comments I may give it up entirely or only rent it for a day if I go to LA. I much prefer public transportation when I travel anyway as I hate driving in a strange city. (I'd rather be looking at stuff)

Re hotels: The Doubletree seems nice from the brochures and if it is convienently located, I don't mind spending a few more bucks for it.

My partner is already getting excited about the shopping opportunities, ugh. I generally look for the scenic views and history.

[randychase]

On Wednesday and Thursday, there will be a large electronics show in San Diego. It will be held at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, which is roughly 15 miles north of the User's Conference. A number of us that are attending the Users Conference will making the trek to the Electronics Show on Wednesday, either in the early afternoon or late afternoon.

Here is the link:
http://www.vts.com/delmar/

You can register at the Electronics Show. You may still be able to register online. There is a map online there.


Now...why should you go? Well, IPC will be there. So will many CAD/CAM companies like 911PCB. So will many electronic suppliers and pcb manufacturers.

Okay...but why REALLY should you go? The Battelbots demonstration? Free t-shirts? Nope...

It's the free reception! Music and free food and drinks! Wednesday from 5:00 until 7:00pm. Make sure you attend the trade show before that to collect free drink tickets. :)

[randychase]

If anyone wants to hook up with a group of us going from the Conference to the Electronics Show, let me or Tom H know.