DD729 SAILORS ASSOCIATION

2010 REUNION

 

 

The 22nd Annual Reunion of the Lyman K. Swenson, DD729 Sailors Association returns to the Pacific Coast in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Reunion will be held at the Newark/Fremont Hilton Hotel from Thursday, September 30, 2010 to Sunday, October 3, 2010. The Hotel is offering a rate of $79 per night plus tax. In addition, the Hilton is offering this same rate for two nights before and after the reunion.

 

 

WHY IN NEWARK

 

In evaluating locations to hold the reunion several factors were considered. In the San Francisco Bay Area, hotels with the desired facilities are typically quite costly. Several of the hotels considered were, seemingly, not interested in our business. Another factor considered was the safety of our membership. After an evaluation of eight hotels, the Newark/Fremont Hilton offered the best overall package.

 

 

LOCATION  

 

Newark, California is located on the east side of San Francisco Bay, about mid way between the Oakland (OAK) and San Jose (SJC) airports. The Newark/ Fremont Hilton Hotel is at the intersection of I-880 and Stevenson Boulevard, approximately fifteen miles north on I 880 from SJC and about  twenty miles south on I 880 from OAK.

 

September and October offer the finest climate of the year in Central California. Typically, temperatures in and around S.F. Bay are in the 70s and 80s during the day and in the 60s in the evenings. Inland, away from the Bay, temperatures may approach the 90s to 100 degrees. The chances of rain are slim although not entirely out of the question.

 

For those who might want to incorporate a vacation trip, or plan some other activities, the Newark/Fremont Hilton is within five hours of Yosemite, Lake Tahoe, San Luis Obispo, the Redwood Forests and the Mendocino Coast. Sacramento, Monterey and Carmel, Napa Valley, Livermore Valley, Santa Clara Vineyards, and San Francisco, are all within a couple of hours.

 

 

AIRPORTS

 

The closest airport to the Hilton Hotel is San Jose (SJC). The Hilton does not offer a regular shuttle service, but might be able to arrange for pickup in response to a telephone request from a registering guest upon landing at San Jose. Remember that a shuttle run could require anywhere from twenty minutes to more than an hour, depending on the shuttle position and work load. There are taxis and shuttles available for a fee (estimated at $95 and up). Shuttle service to the airport can be easily arranged with the front desk.

 

Oakland (OAK) offers taxi service and some fee based shuttle service (estimated at $75 and up). The Hilton does not offer a shuttle pick up.

 

San Francisco (SFO) San Francisco is located approximately 45 miles from the Newark/Fremont Hilton. There are Taxis and shuttles available for a fee, (estimated at $70 -100).

 

Super Shuttle serves all three airports, San Jose and Oakland by advance reservation (required). Reservations available at (800) 258-3826

 

 

VEHICLE RENTALS   

 

Hertz maintains a rental facility at the Hilton Hotel

 

All three airports have rental agencies at the airport. Agents can provide maps and info on how to get to the appropriate freeway. From San Jose, drivers need to get to I 880 going North toward Fremont, to Stevenson Blvd. From Oakland, drivers need to get to I-880 going South toward Newark and to Stevenson Blvd.

 

At Stevenson Blvd and I 880, drivers should turn on Stevenson toward the Bay. At Balentine Dr. (the first signal past the freeway) turn right and park in the hotel parking area.  Parking is free!!!

 

 

PERSONAL TRANSPORTATION

 

For those who are driving their personal vehicles, there is no charge for parking at the Hilton Hotel. The major access to the Bay Area from the East is US I 80 or US 50 from Lake Tahoe. Major Access from the North or South would be either Highway 101 or I 5.  Key routes are to get to I 880, by Hwy 101 from the South, I 80 or I 580 to I 680 from the East

 

From all directions arriving at Stevenson and I 880, proceed west toward the Bay, one block from the freeway, on Stevenson. A right turn will bring you to the front of the Hilton Hotel, your HQ for the next few days.

 

 

PROGRAM

 

This year the program will be different from past years. A registration fee of $150 will cover the “in house and operating expenses”. There will be two optional programs at a fee of $75 each

 

The tentative “optional” program, as it is being planned, will include a visit to Monterey on Friday with a visit to the world famous Monterey Aquarium, an opportunity for lunch, and a scenic tour of “17 mile drive” on the scenic Monterey Peninsula. A full day of activity and sightseeing is being developed before returning to the Hotel in the evening.

 

The program for Saturday will be open to the first 110 members (capacity of busses and the ship) who sign up for this tour aboard the USS Potomac, the Presidential Yacht of President Franklin Roosevelt. We will leave the Newark/Fremont Hilton at approximately 1000 hours and proceed to Jack London Square in Oakland. We will board the yacht for a three hour cruise on San Francisco Bay. We will return to the Hotel in plenty of time for some relaxation before the Banquet.

 

Sunday we will have breakfast followed by the Memorial Service, and visitation and goodbyes. An extension of the lodging rate at the Newark Hilton may be arranged for those who book lodging when making reservations.

 

For those who choose to incorporate a vacation in conjunction with the reunion, there will be materials available to highlight a variety of activities, additional lodging, and sightseeing visits in the Greater San Francisco/Central California Area. The local AAA office is two blocks away.