Details

The inaugural TEDxCaltech will take place on the campus of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, California. The program will unfold in the iconic Beckman Auditorium: a 60-foot-high, Islamic architecture–inspired, white cylindrical structure topped with a conical roof and decorated with quatrefoil lighting fixtures that evoke molecular compounds. Lunch, breaks, and a post-event reception with interactive displays will be provided for registered attendees. Parking is available in several campus lots, all within a short walk to the venue. Both the auditorium and the surrounding display areas are wheelchair accessible.

If you have any questions about the venue, please contact us

Plan your TEDxCaltech

Getting Ready

Mark the date: January 14, 2011. TEDxCaltech is an immersive experience, and you won’t want to miss a moment. Let your mind absorb completely what happens on stage and around you.

Leave all distractions behind. Don’t bring anything with you that may distract you. Your laptop, iPod, cell phone, and anything else that might draw you away should be left behind or, at a minimum, at the bottom of your bag. The speakers at TEDxCaltech merit your undivided attention.

Don't miss a thing. Doors will open at 9:30 a.m. We encourage you to arrive no later than 8:30 a.m., allowing enough time for registration and mingling. TEDxCaltech is scheduled down to the minute. The best TEDx moments can happen when you least expect them. It’s often the unknown speakers who wow the crowd.

Talk to strangers. TEDx's greatest natural resource is people. The attendees are every bit as extraordinary as the speakers. As a result, chance encounters often lead to new ideas, projects, perspectives, and ventures. They are as essential to the experience as the program on stage.

Let us help you. We will do the best we can to help you in every way possible. Please email us with any questions.

Spread the word about TEDxCaltech and follow us on www.TEDxCaltech.com as well as on Twitter @TEDxCaltech and on Facebook.

Join the larger TED community. Register with TED.com and follow TEDx around the world.

Practical Information

Airports/Transportation

The most convenient airports are:

LAX (35 miles, ~45 minutes)
Burbank (15 miles, ~30 minutes)
Ontario (50 miles, ~60 minutes)

Shuttle Services:

Supershuttle (626) 443-6600
outside CA (800) 554-3146

PrimeTime (626) 504-3600
outside CA (800) 262-7433

Note: the Langham, Hilton, Westin, Sheraton, and Marriott hotels provide shuttle services to Caltech.

Local Accommodations

Looking for a place to stay during TEDxCaltech? There are numerous hotel options close to campus or near Old Town Pasadena. Many of the accommodations listed below offer special rates for Caltech guests and/or shuttle service to campus. Please call the hotel directly to make your reservation. Mention Caltech when you call so that you obtain our discounted rate. We provide this listing for your convenience. Caltech does not promote nor endorse any of the establishments listed.

Hilton (~1.2 miles)
168 South Los Robles Ave., Pasadena
(626) 577-1000

Westin (formerly Doubletree) (~2 miles)
191 North Los Robles Ave., Pasadena
(626) 792-2727

Courtyard Marriott (~3 miles)
180 North Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena
(626) 403-7600

Sheraton (~1.4 miles)
303 East Cordova St., Pasadena
(626) 449-4000

The Langham, Huntington (~2 miles)
1401 South Oak Knoll Ave., Pasadena
(626) 568-3900

Driving Directions from Local Airports

from Burbank Airport

Follow signs to I-5 South
Take I-5 to 134 East
134 East becomes 210 East, into Pasadena
Exit I-210 at Lake Ave.
Take Lake south (right from off-ramp) to Del Mar Blvd.
Take Del Mar east (left) a few blocks to Michigan
Take Michigan south (right) to Beckman Auditorium

from LAX

Follow signs to I-105 East
Take I-105 to I-110 North
Take I-110 North into Pasadena; this turns into Arroyo Parkway
Take Arroyo north to Del Mar Blvd.
Take Del Mar east (right) to Michigan (you will pass several large streets, including Los Robles and Lake Aves.)
Take Michigan south (right) to Beckman Auditorium

Parking

Beckman MapBeckman Map
On the full Caltech parking map [PDF], Beckman Auditorium is the round building (#91). For detailed campus maps, please see the Caltech map site.