USMS is considering a bid for the 2006 FINA Master's World Championships to be held at Stanford University, Palo Alto California. The swim meet would take place over about seven day. If you were going to swim there, where would you like to stay:
San Francisco - about 30 miles - 45 minutes away
Palo Alto - 1-4 miles from the pool venue
San Jose -about 20 Miles away - 30 minutes
Former Member
H-m-m-m, I recall swimming at Stanford when it hosted SCNats back in the eighties...a good investment would be to buy shares in whatever firm supplies port-a-potties, judging from that meet which I think was the largest entry number for a USNats all-time, but apt to be dwarfed by a Worlds in California. How about some real-world entry times rather than the ludicrously-low ones at the last few worlds? Yes, I know (& agree) about the inclusiveness of Masters, but this meet would have the potential to be a monster! Or else you might be looking at limiting swims to 3 or 4 per person which would be a shame.
I would stay (first choice) as close as possible, but not in downtown 'Frisco over San Jose. Yes, I know about the wonderful scene in the downtown, but when I'm at an important meet, if I want culture I'll eat yoghurt.
Stay close to the pool.
There's plenty of restaurants there. It's all urban and suburban areas
It will be easier to drive up to San Francisco for sightseeing, then it will be to fight the traffic to come to the meet.
My aunt lives in Mountain View, which is right between Palo Alto and San Jose, driven from there to San Francisco for sightseeing many times. You hop on a freeway, and after aboutr 20-30 min of a cushy ride, you're there.
Just like any urban area, you'll probably want to avoid driving far during the rush hour (which just might be the time you're trying to get to the meet)
Besides, there are things to see in places other that the City of San Francisco.
Personally, if I qualify, or if I just come as a spectator, I'll be staying with my aunt in Mt. View.
Oh, another thought....
Mayeb through some other school and sports organizations you guys can organize families hosting swimmers.
If I recall some of the clubs qualify as non-profit... Could you make it so that highschool kids get community service points for hosting athletes? I know down in this ares kids need certain amount of community service points just to graduate highschool, aand being that it's an international event, you could trump up it up as a chance to meet people from all over the world.
I wouldn't know how to start pulling that off... but I'm hoping you guys do. Isn't it done all the time with exchange students and similar? I know my aunt has hosted an exchange student for a semester.
Having swam the Golden Gate Bridge Swim and Alcatraz Sharkfest swims twice...I found that EVERYWHERE in the San Francisco Bay area is a great place to stay.
As long as you get a very decent place to stay its alright with me. I prefer SF and Anaheim over LA as far as cities over 300,000 in California are concern, there not as violent. And the Olympic trials is being held in Long Beach that has a worst reputition than SF does.
