AIRLINES

San Jose is served by the major airlines and also the smaller ones, which often have great fares. Almost all airports in the West have direct flights to San Jose. Some may have special fares from time to time on their web sites.

AIRPORT SHUTTLES (From San Jose or San Francisco)

SOUTH BAY FLYER 1-888-463-5937 (San Jose to Fairmont 1 way $7.00, round trip $10.00; SFO to the Fairmont $19 each way) This is the recommended service by the Fairmont.

SOUTH AND EAST BAY AIRPORT SHUTTLE 1-800-548-4664

CABS

Cab rides between the San Jose Airport and the Fairmont are about $8-$11 one way depending on traffic. The San Jose Airport has a cab stand by the baggage claim at both terminals. The Fairmont usually has cabs waiting by the Market Street entrance and/or the Bell Captain will help you.

ALTERNATIVE, CHEAP, AND FREQUENT

VALLEY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (VTA) (local buses) 408-321-2300/800-894-9908 (area codes 415 and 408 only) runs a free "Airport Flyer" shuttle (blue #10 mini-bus) from the San Jose Airport terminals to the Airport Light Rail station. When you take the light rail car to the downtown, get off at the Paseo de San Antonio stop on Second Street and walk 1½ blocks west on San Fernando Street to the Fairmont. $1.10 1 way. For information on public transportation and road conditions on the Greater Bay Area: TravInfo 408-817-1717 or TDD 408-817-1718

OTHER FORMS OF TRANSPORTATION

AMTRAK 1-800-872-7245 GREYHOUND 1-800-231-2222

BY CAR

Take the freeway exits for "The Tech Museum" and follow the signs on San Jose's streets.

FAIRMONT HOTEL

Beautiful rooms, a spa with a sauna, an exercise room, a heated outdoor pool for the super hardy, afternoon tea (like high tea for $14.95), several shops including San Jose's own Schurra's chocolates (think presents and midnight treats), 3 restaurants including the Fountain (casual American), the Pagoda (Chinese), and The Grill (huge servings, heavy on meat, moderate to high in price). The lobby bar is a great place to get a special drink/coffee, but not too accessible for the disabled.

WEATHER

Usually February is overcast in the mornings, sunny in the afternoons, and in the 50's. Although the temperature is usually in the low 40's at night, it can get down into the 30's. Bring layers and an overcoat.

MUSEUMS AND HISTORICAL SITES

Across Market Street from the Fairmont is The Tech Museum of Innovation, or "The Tech," and next door is the San Jose Museum of Modern Art. Two blocks away is the Quilt Museum, displaying modern and traditional quilts and soft sculptures, and five blocks away are the Peralta Adobe (200+ years old), Fallon House (1855), and The Children's Discovery Center on Woz Way. Several art galleries are 2 to 4 blocks away. A short cab ride takes you to either Kelley Park, which includes the San Jose Historical Museum (1800's buildings and a Chinese temple) and the Japanese Friendship Garden; or the Chinese cultural garden; or the Rosecrucian Museum, with its store of ancient Egyptian artifacts. Further away is the Winchester Mystery House.

Two of California's oldest churches, the beautifully restored St. Joseph's Cathedral (Roman Catholic) and nearly original Trinity Cathedral (Episcopal) are a block or two from the hotel.

RESTAURANTS, COFFEE, JUICE, CLUBS, BARS, MICROBREWERIES

Within walking distance or a short cab ride away are these restaurants: Italian (Tuscan and Sicilian) Mexican, Californian, Japanese, Vietnamese, Chinese, Nicaraguan, Cuban, Spanish tapas, Peruvian, Thai, Middle Eastern, Moroccan, traditional American, vegetarian, seafood, pizza, and 2 brew pubs with good food. Also downtown or nearby are several night clubs, including Latin and Vietnamese, music clubs, including jazz, several coffee places, including Starbucks and Peets

ENTERTAINMENT: OPERA, BALLET, MUSICALS, PLAYS, SPORTS

Opera and ballet are within walking distance of the Fairmont (unfortunately, there are no plays scheduled during the conference). The American Musical Theater is near the light rail or a short cab ride away. The Bay Area has many professional sports teams. San Jose is home to the Sharks. There are free shuttles that run around the downtown for the Sharks' games, which are a long walk from the Fairmont, but only a few minutes by shuttle.

SHOPPING: Discount malls: The Outlets at Gilroy, 130 stores, 800-969-3767 or 800-866-5900. Great Mall of the Bay Area, in Milpitas, 408-956-2033. Upscale malls: Valley Fair, 165 stores, 408-248-4451. Stanford Shopping Center, 140 stores, 800-772-9332. San Jose's museum stores and the Fairmont shops have unique items and souvenir T-shirts.