Lasers, Sources and Related Photonics Devices
29 January - 3 February 2012, Rancho Bernardo Inn, San Diego, California, USA
Housing and Travel
About San Diego, California
Experience much more than just the Congress!
California's second largest city and the United States' eighth largest, San Diego boasts a citywide population of nearly 1.3 million residents and more than 3 million residents countywide. Within its borders of 4,200 sq. miles, San Diego County encompasses 18 incorporated cities and numerous other charming neighborhoods and communities.
San Diego is renowned for its idyllic climate, 70 miles of pristine beaches and a dazzling array of world-class family attractions including include the world-famous San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and Sea World San Diego. San Diego offers an expansive variety of things to see and do, appealing to guests of all ages from around the world.
What others say about San Diego:
Please visit the San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau website for more information.
Travel
Weather
San Diego enjoys mild, sunny weather throughout the year. Average Winter temperatures range from 67F (19C) to 49F (9C).
For the most current weather forecast, please visit here.
Electricity:
Standard 120v/60Hz voltage electricity is used in the United States. More information on international electricity.
Currency:
The US Dollar (USD) is the currency of the United States. Credit cards are widely accepted; VISA and MASTERCARD are the most popular. Traveler’s checks are accepted at currency exchanges or banks, but are not as widely accepted. For the latest currency exchange click here.
Hotel Reservations
Rancho Bernardo Inn Golf Resort & Spa
17550 Bernardo Oaks Dr, San Diego, CA 92128 USA
Limited Housing Available
Make your hotel reservations now!
Rancho Bernardo Inn Golf Resort & Spa is a Legendary Southern California Golf Resort and Conference Center specializing in providing Guests with the Perfect Guest Experience.
Our commitment to provide each Guest with the perfect Guest Experience has been recognized with 12 Gold Key Awards, 18 Executive Choice Awards, 18 Mobil Four Star Resort Award’s and 32 AAA Four Diamond Resort Awards.
View the printable Resort Overview Fact Sheet to learn more about Rancho Bernardo Inn Golf Resort & Spa.
Room Rates:
Rates will be honored 3 days prior and post conference dates
Single/Double |
US$189 |
Extra Person |
US$20 |
State and Local Taxes |
12% (taxes are subject to change) |
For the latest currency exchange click here.
All reservations must be guaranteed with a major credit card. Hotel will charge one night’s room and tax at the time of reservation. This amount will be refundable up to 72 hours prior to scheduled arrival date. In the event of a no show, one night’s room and tax will be charged and the reservation will be canceled.
The Rancho Bernardo Inn does provide self parking for US$10 per 24-hour period, and Valet parking for US$12 per 24-hour period.
**SPECIAL OFFER!!**
The Rancho Bernardo Inn would like to extend a 10% discount for all OSA Congress attendees at either The Veranda or the El Bizcocho Restaurants. All you have to do is show your Congress badge!
Reservations are strongly suggested. To make a reservations, please call the main hotel number at +1 858.675.8500 and ask for the restaurant of your choice.
Lunch and Dinner Specials
Don't feel like leaving Rancho Bernardo Inn for Lunch or Dinner? You don't have to. Click on the following link to see what lunch and dinner specials Rancho Bernardo is offering!!
Lunch and Dinner Specials (pdf)
Winter Packages
Every weeknight, the Rancho Bernardo Inn is offering winter specials like Taco Tuesday! Click on the following link to see the winter specials you can choose from!!
Specials Rancho Bernard (pdf)
Stay within the block!
Book your Hotel Reservation:
- ONLINE
Please note that our online system will only accept reservations that are within the contracted dates. Any guests requesting to extend their stay outside of the block must call our reservation's team
- Call Toll free: + 1 800.542.6096
Monday-Friday from 7:00 - 21:00, and Saturday and Sunday from 7:00 - 19:00
Request: 2012 OSA Laser Congress Congress Rate
If you book within the block, the following services are complimentary to make your stay more enjoyable
- High Speed Internet Access in All Guest Rooms and Meeting Rooms
- Daily bottle water in your guest room.
- Resort Fee Waived
Check-in: 4:00 p.m.
Check-out: 1:00 p.m.
Hotel Restaurants & Lounges
Spa
Golf
Things to do courtesy of the Rancho Bernardo Inn
Rancho Bernardo Restaurants
Transportation
Area Airport
San Diego is served by San Diego International Airport (SAN). It is approximately 28 miles or 30 minutes south of the Rancho Bernardo Inn. SAN is served by 20 passenger airlines with non-stop service to 49 destinations in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Check-in & Security
Airline Discount
American Airlines
For your convenience, OSA management has arranged discounted air travel with the American Airlines. You may visit the American Airlines website at www.aa.com to search for available flights and use the authorization code A2412AZ to receive your discount. You may also call the American Airlines Meeting Services Desk directly at 1 800.433.1790 for assistance with reservations and ticket purchases.
By Ground
SuperShuttle
SuperShuttle is the nation's leading shared-ride airport shuttle, providing door-to-door ground transportation and provides service to and from 28 major airports in 23 cities. Shared van service is available at San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Rancho Bernardo Inn for approximately US$24 one-way per person. Reservations may be made on the SuperShuttle website or by phone at 1 800.BLUE VAN (258.3826).
SAVE! A special discount is available to attendees of the Laser Congress. Save $1 each way on a shared van service by going to www.supershuttle.com, click on make a reservation, and enter 3B5X7 in the "Group/Discount Code" field at the bottom of the page.
OR enter CQAFL in the "Group/Discount Code" field at the bottom of the page on the Super Shuttle website and receive a discount of 10% off your ROUNDTRIP reservation made and paid on-line.
Other Transportation Companies and Options (Including Shuttles)
Taxi
US$85 – San Diego International Airport (SAN)
US$75 – Solana Beach Train Station (Amtrak & COASTER)
US$85 – Downtown San Diego
All prices are estimates, and taxis are metered fares.
Railway
San Diego is served by two major train lines: COASTER and AMTRAK with a destination of Santa Fe Station in Downtown San Diego. On both lines, the closest train station to Rancho Bernardo Inn is Solana Beach station.
The COASTER commuter train runs north-south, serving eight stations between Oceanside and downtown San Diego. More than 20 trains run on weekdays, with additional service on the weekends. It takes about an hour to travel the entire COASTER route.
AMTRAK’s Pacific Surfliner train operates between San Luis Obispo to San Diego (via Los Angeles). Please visit their website for stations and schedules.
Rental Car
Avis Rent-a-Car is pleased to offer low rates with unlimited mileage to participants attending OSA Optics and Photonics Congress. For reservations call 1 800.331.1600 and refer to Avis Worldwide Discount #D004076. Reservations may also be made on the Avis website or by
phone (World Wide Telephone Numbers).
Additional car rentals are available at San Diego International Airport.
Driving Directions
From San Diego International Airport:
- Take Harbor Drive south (toward downtown)
- Turn left at Grape Street
- Go east to the top of the hill, then take Interstate 5 south
- Stay in the right lane and follow Route 163 north toward Escondido
- (Route 163 becomes Interstate 15)
- Take the Rancho Bernardo Road exit east to Pomerado Road (4th light)
- Turn left on Pomerado Road
- Turn left onto Greens East Road
- Follow the signs to the resort entrance
From Interstate 15:
- Take the Rancho Bernardo Road exit east to Pomerado Road (4th light)
- Turn left on Pomerado Road
- Turn left onto Greens East Road
- Follow the signs to the resort entrance
Hotel Parking Information
- Self Parking is US$10 per 24-hour period
- Valet Parking is US$12 per 24-hour period
Letters of Invitation
Important information regarding Topical Meeting Visa Invitation Letters (please read):
Invitation letters take OSA Management 7-10 days to process. Please fill out all the required information on the form completely to the best of your ability. If you are presenting a paper, include the title and session in which the paper will be presented, or if you are exhibiting, please indicate so in your request. Please note that each individual requesting an invitation letter must fill out a separate form. All letters will be sent in PDF form to the email address provided. If a paper letter is required, please respond to the email. Requested paper letters will be sent complimentary through airmail. This option may take a few weeks to arrive. If you wish to expedite the process, letter will be spent through Federal Express with the recipient’s Federal Express account number or credit card number with an expiration date, please also include your billing address in the request email. OSA Management reserves the right to request further information regarding the company or affiliation of the attendee to ensure the validity of requests.
Meeting attendees do not need to wait until your paper is accepted to request a Visa Invitation Letter.
Individuals requiring letters of invitation to obtain travel visas must apply using the online form.
Lasers, Sources and Related Photonics Devices Letter of Invitation Request Form
The visa application process to enter the United States has become subjected to greater degrees of scrutiny than in the past. For this reason, the application process can take up to six months or more. You will need to apply for your visa as early as possible but no later than three months before you wish to enter the United States. One factor contributing to the increase in the processing time is a personal interview that is now required for most applicants as a standard part of visa processing. Once it is known that a visa is necessary for travel, the individual needs to contact the embassy or consulate to schedule an appointment for screening. OSA is not able to contact U.S. embassies in support of an individual attempting to gain entry into the host country to attend the conference.
For detailed information about applying for a visa refer to the U.S. Department of State website and the National Academies International Visitors Office website.
If you have any questions about the visa invitation letter application process, please contact:
- Email: invitations@osa.org
- Fax: +1 202.416.6100
- Mail: OSA Management – Invitation Letter
Optical Society of America
2010 Massachusetts Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20036
Visa Waiver Program
There are 27 countries that participate in the Visa Waiver Program. If your country is on this list, and you are traveling to the United States for tourism or business for 90 days or less with a valid passport that meets U.S. requirements, and the listed conditions do not apply to you, you do NOT need a visa. Otherwise, you need to obtain a visa.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Travel Guide
Visa Waiver Program Frequently Asked Questions
Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)
As of 12 January 2009, all nationals and citizens of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries will be required by law to obtain a travel authorization prior to initiating travel to the United States under the VWP. This authorization may be obtained through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), a free internet application administered by the Department of Homeland Security though a U.S. government Web site.
