Asilomar Conference Grounds

I went here for Ultrafast 15, a conference based on laser physics/chemistry using ultrashort pulses. Unfortunately, for this kind of conference, these grounds were perhaps not so ideal. The room for posters was too small, the outdoor social event was too cold (it’s always cold here), and there were only a couple of places on the entire grounds that had internet, and even then only through wireless. On top of that, the main conference hall had really uncomfortable folding chairs. Not quite a great place for 400 people!

But, it IS rather pretty there, with lots of fresh air. Plus, the isolation is kind of nice. The rooms, while not having telephones or TVs, were also nice, and rustic, too. Plus, the staff is super polite and one feels that the folks who work there are doing their best to make your stay as comfortable as possible.

So, I’d say it’s a good place for a small conference, and especially for a religious retreat; for a group of 400 laptop-bound scientists… maybe not.

Just one more thing. Be warned: it’s cold there during the summer. It never got above 60 the whole week I was there (the first week of August).