Practical info about Summer Nationals

[demon_fencer]

If anyone out there has questions about the venue & Sacramento in general, I'd be glad to answer them. I have nothing to do with the running of the event but I do work in downtown Sacramento.

For starters -

There is no grocery store near the venue or the host hotels. The nearest grocery store is about 15 blocks away.

A RiteAid is located at 9th & K Streets (4 blocks from the venue). It is a pharmacy/general merchandise store that has a fairly wide selection of water, soda, sports drinks, candy bars, etc but no real food.

A Wolfgang Puck Express & a Starbucks are at the venue.

The restaurants within walking distance aren't cheap but they are fairly decent - Mikuni Sushi (Japanese), PF Changs (Chinese), La Bou (multiple locations - sandwiches, coffee, tea), The Melting Pot, a couple of breweries. Look to spend about $10 for lunch & $15 for dinner.

The Avis car rental office is located at 16th & J Sts so you can rent a car after you get to the host hotel.

There is NO free downtown shuttle. There used to be one but it got canceled two years ago.

Hopefully the weather won't hit 110 degrees during the event. Its been kind of cool this year (we've only gotten up to 96 his past week) so maybe we won't be roasting. However, the airconditioning inside the Convention center is strong so don't forget your warm-up jacket.

If you have anything else you want to know, start posting and I'll try to answer

[mlr2fence]

Thanks!! Any suggestions for non-fencing activities? Preferably something that takes only half a day and isn't too strenous?

[oso97]

Whats the resteraunt/bar like at the host hotel - as thats where I usually spend the bulk of my time when not refereeing?

[demon_fencer]

The Sheraton has 2 bars - one for coffee & one for alcohol. The alcohol bar up against street level windows facing J Street. Great for people watching and meeting people since it is just off the check-in desk and you can see everything. The coffee bar is up against the street level windows facing 13th Street. Its got pastries, juices, fruit, etc.

I've never been into the Hyatt's bar so I can't help you there.

The food at both hotels is pretty decent. I've attended conferences there so I don't know what the restaurants charge but at least the cooks know what they are doing.

Non-fencing activities really depends on what you find entertaining. There is a Westfield shopping mall 6 blocks west of the host hotels and its got a Hard Rock Cafe, movie theatres, shops, etc. Old Sacramento is on the other side of the freeway from the mall (a pedestrian tunnel goes under the freeway - parking can be difficult). There are more restaurants and tourist shops operating in buildings dating back to the 1800's. Not a big deal if you're from the East coast but anything with wooden sidewalks & cobblestone streets is ancient out here. The local railroad museum is also in Old Sac.

For more active entertainment (especially the kids) - rent a car and go to the local water park named "Waterworld" (yeah, they spent a lot of time thinking that one up) or to Discovery park (city park located on the river). Just don't plan on actually going swimming in the river - the water is running high & fast from all the snow melt and there have already been 3 drownings despite all the warnings for people to be careful.

Day trips can take you out to Reno, Tahoe, San Francisco/Bay Area, etc. They are all about a 2 hour drive from here.

[Sabre Monkey]

Go to www.sacfencing.org and click on Summer Nationals logo and you will find maps, places to eat things to do etc.

[Inquartata]

Any recommendations on not-too-expensive hotels/motels close to the venue? I know, I know, I'm stupid to have put it off this late, but there you are.

I need about 5 double rooms, from the 1st through the 9th. Thus far I've been able to find scattered rooms but no block in one hotel, and all that seems to be available are king-sized beds. Any locals have a secret gem to recommend?

[neevel]

I need about 5 double rooms...

Geez. Been puttin' on a few pounds, have we?

[demon_fencer]

Any recommendations on not-too-expensive hotels/motels close to the venue? I know, I know, I'm stupid to have put it off this late, but there you are.

I need about 5 double rooms, from the 1st through the 9th. Thus far I've been able to find scattered rooms but no block in one hotel, and all that seems to be available are king-sized beds. Any locals have a secret gem to recommend?

It all depends on whether or not you will have a car because other than the host hotels, the Clarion is the only other place within a reasonable walking distance.

[rmyounis]

As someone who used to live in California, I can vouch for the fact that Sacramento is a ****hole

[Peach]

I actually liked it the last time I was there. Old Sacramento is a tourist trap, but I enjoyed the paddlewheeler. There were some nice restaurants. Downtown was quiet and pleasant.

[Ordway]

I actually liked it the last time I was there. Old Sacramento is a tourist trap, but I enjoyed the paddlewheeler. There were some nice restaurants. Downtown was quiet and pleasant.

Same here. It was hot but dry, so walking around the city was pleasant. The capitol grounds were nice to visit, and in general I found the city very walkable and pleasant. There are sculptures and art *everywhere* too - I thought it was a very pedestrian-friendly downtown, even extending a couple miles out (I went to one art museum and also to the historical monument of a fort, which was interesting.) I doubt I'll have time for much sight-seeing this time (I'll only be there two days) but I'm looking forward to it.

Also, the venue is spacious and nice, and if you manage to get into the Hyatt or Sheraton it's incredibly convenient. I'm actually quite pleased with myself because I was originally in the Clarion, but I checked again and managed to get the very last single room at the Hyatt for the two days I needed!

If I hadn't been able to get into the Clarion at least, I'd have gone for the Holiday Inn by the Capitol (or whatever its name is), which is more of a trek but still walkable as far as I could tell from the map.

[demon_fencer]

Did some checking on the way home. There is a Holiday Inn located by 3rd & J (I think). It is not really walkable if you are lugging gear around. You'll definitely want to catch a cab or drive yourself if you stay there.

For people with a car, staying near Richards Blvd west of I-5 is a better option for cheaper lodging. Richards Blvd is one freeway exit north of the J St exit on I-5 and has a bunch of hotels that you can see from the freeway - Super 8, Motel 6, La Quinta and Comfort Inn.

Embassy Suites in Old Sac is a nicer option that has a view of the river but it isn't cheap.

rmyounis - just because you were living in a trailer park doesn't mean that Sacramento is a sh!thole.

[rmyounis]

You mean there are parts of Sacramento that aren't full of trailer parks? I don't believe you

[Inquartata]

I was able to find lodgings at the Vagabond Inn, .85 miles from the venue according to Yahoo Travel. Locals, please reassure me that it isn't .85 miles across a freeway or a lake...

( Supposedly the motel was just "remodeled" in May. Doubtless this means that they turned the mattresses over. But beggars can't be choosers. )

[demon_fencer]

I was able to find lodgings at the Vagabond Inn, .85 miles from the venue according to Yahoo Travel. Locals, please reassure me that it isn't .85 miles across a freeway or a lake...

909 3rd Street? No freeway or lake to cross. I hope you like Denny's 'cause that's what is next door.

If you happen to have an insanely early check-in, give yourself enough time to get through the downtown traffic. Downtown Sacramento is home to many city, county, state & federal office buildings and rush hour tends to run from 6:30am-8am and of course, there are all the construction projects running simultaneously (new sewer mains, light rail extensions, new high rises) and its a little crowded.

[Inquartata]

Thanks very much. Luckily we all have roller bags, so hopefully the walk won't be that bad. Hey, it couldn't be worse than the trek from the hotel to the venue for the Denver NAC, with all that nasty snow...

[demon_fencer]

Thanks very much. Luckily we all have roller bags, so hopefully the walk won't be that bad. Hey, it couldn't be worse than the trek from the hotel to the venue for the Denver NAC, with all that nasty snow...

Normally, I'd be warning you about the heat (honest, its a "dry" 100 degrees) but the weather is weird this year. We had a week of 80+ days in February and then it dropped back into winter, spring temps didn't start until mid-May (when it usually starts at the beginning of April) and its freaking RAINING today. Most years it stops raining at the beginning of May and we don't see anything fall until October.

[Peach]

What's the Hawthorn Suites like?

[bigdawg2121]

I stayed at the Vagabond the last time I was in a tournament in Sacramento, it wasn't too bad. The beds were reasonably comfortable and clean when I was there, and I figure as long as I have a good place to sleep at the end of the day its manageable (most likely there will be a friend there that'll let you use their hotel's hot tub right ) Plus, if I recall correctly there was a Ms. See's fudge shop on the way from the venue to the hotel.

[Inquartata]

That's good to hear...though the prospect of rain is discouraging. One step forward, one step back.

Obviously, I don't mind the heat. Rain I cannot abide.