USS ROCHESTER REUNION
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA

Monday, October 8, 2012 – Friday, October 12, 2012
***PLEASE MAKE YOUR HOTEL RESERVATIONS EARLY ***
Horton Grand Hotel
311 Island Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 544-1886 (800) 542-1886 www.hortongrand.com

We have secured a guaranteed Room Rate for Reunion guests until September 1st, or when our room block is sold out, for $125.00 for single bed room, $165.00 for double bed room, and $265.00 for suite. For a third and fourth person in the room there is an additional charge of $20.00 per person. This rate is guaranteed for 3 days prior and 3 days following the reunion dates based on availability. Check-in time is 3:00pm and checkout time is 12:00pm. This is a smaller hotel located in the Gaslamp District of downtown San Diego and the reunion will take up most of the hotel.

Reservations MUST be made by calling 800-542-1886 (make sure you tell them you are with the USS Rochester Reunion). Reservations CANNOT be made online.

***PLEASE MAKE YOUR HOTEL RESERVATIONS EARLY ***

Overflow Hotel: Hampton Inn San Diego–Downtown, 1531 Pacific Highway, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 233-8408 www.sandiegohamptoninn.com

We have a few rooms on hold at the Hampton Inn with a guaranteed rate of $125.00 for a single/double room. This rate is guaranteed for 2 days prior and 2 days following the reunion dates based on availability. Check-in time is 4:00pm and check-out time is 12:00pm. The hotel is about 1.5 miles from the Horton Grand Hotel. This hotel offers complimentary airport shuttle and American Buffet Breakfast. Self-parking is $12.00/day.

Reservations MUST be made by calling 619-233-8408 (make sure you tell them you are with the USS Rochester Reunion). Reservations CANNOT be made online.

***PLEASE MAKE YOUR HOTEL RESERVATIONS EARLY ***

Airport Transportation: San Diego International Airport is located about 15 minutes from the Horton Grand Hotel. Shuttle transportation can be provided by following GROUND TRANSPORTATION signs in the airport and then SHUTTLE FOR HIRE signs. We have special rates with Super Shuttle for $7 each way per person. Reservations can be made by at www.supershuttle.com or 800-258-3826 and using discount code Y3QR6.

Taxis cost about $15 each way for up to 4 people.

Hotel Parking: There is hotel valet parking at the Horton Grand Hotel for $25.00 per overnight with unlimited in and out privileges and $14.00 for day use. There are also parking lots and garages within a 4 block radius from the hotel. We are trying to secure a fixed rate at a nearby lot and will have more information in the May Newsletter.

RV Facilities:

Admiral Baker Campground: Mission Valley, San Diego 92120. Call 619-487-0019 for reservations or for more information please visit www.mwrtoday.com/sandiego/ and clicking on RECREATION.

Active, National Guard, Reservists, Retired, 100% DAV, DoD Civilians (under this Command only) with a valid ID card may make reservations up to 60 days in advance. Maximum stay at the park is one month. Military personnel and eligible military patrons may sponsor guests, however, policy states that sponsors must stay at the park with their guests. The campground is about 20 minutes from the Horton Grand Hotel.
Campland on the Bay 2211 Pacific Beach Dr. San Diego, CA 92109 ~ (800) 4 BAY-FUN for reservations or visit www.campland.com Campland on the Bay has great amenities and facilities for you to enjoy about 15 minutes from the Horton Grand Hotel.

Everyday, Monday, October 8th through Saturday, October 13th

SAN DIEGO TROLLEY $29.00

Discount Tickets are available at the Registration Desk each day for $29.00 per person. As you explore the scenic coastal landscape, you’ll learn why San Diego is called “America’s Finest City.” Hop aboard one of the trolleys and you’ll experience “Transportainment”, a delightful combination of transportation and entertainment. The friendly conductors narrate the San Diego tour with a fascinating and fun mix of trivia
and humorous stories. The trolley stop is at the corner of the hotel and runs approximately every ½ hour starting around 9:00am. You can stay on board the trolley and get a fascinating narrative and a great overview of America’s Finest City, until you return to your starting point in about two hours. Or you can hop off the trolley at any of the 11 stops (another trolley will arrive at each stop at least every 30 minutes) then re-board and continue on with the tour until you return to your starting point. The last time to re-board the trolley is around 4:30pm. There are 11 stops along the route for you to disembark and take in the local charm for as long as you want to and re-board the trolley when you are ready. Stops are:

• Old Town San Diego State Historic Park is where you can explore and experience Mexican and early American life in the 19th century, including 5 original adobe homes filled with fascinating artifacts.
• San Diego Harbor Cruise Ship Terminal/Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum - tour the Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum and learn about the Navy’s longest serving carrier. Walk along the water’s edge to see the Aircraft Carrier Memorial and a National Salute to Bob Hope and the Military.
• Seaport Village where you will enjoy shopping, dining, and entertainment along the waters edge.
• Marriott Hotel and Marina is the next stop for the Convention Center, Petco Park, Children’s Park and Pond, and Children’s Museum.
• Horton Plaza is a five level outdoor shopping mall and remarkable for its bright colors, architectural tricks and odd spatial rhythms. It stands on six and a half city blocks.
• The historic Gaslamp Quarter has over 150 restaurants, many boutique shops, Victorian-themed buildings and the William Heath Davis House, a “saltbox” style home. This stop is at the corner of the Horton Grand Hotel.
• The Hilton Bayfront stop is where you can hop on the ferry to the Coronado Ferry Landing.
• Or you can stay on the trolley and drive across the magnificent Coronado Bay Bridge ending up at the Coronado Ferry Landing for some local shopping or walk along the waters edge.
• The Hotel del Coronado where the rich and famous have stayed over the years and still considered one of the nation’s top resorts. “Some Like It Hot” was filmed at this beautiful hotel.
• The San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park and El Prado Museums are next. Balboa Park, a city park that combines open space and greenery with cultural attractions including 15 museums, IMAX theatre, gardens, and performing arts. Stroll through El Prado, a long promenade running through the park, lined with Spanish architecture and home to the 2nd largest collection of museums in the country.
• Don’t miss the San Diego Zoo, one of the largest, most progressive zoos in the world with over 4,000 animals!
• Rounding out the tour is a stop in Little Italy where you will find art galleries among some of the finest Italian food and markets. From here the trolley goes back to Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.

With your trolley ticket, you will receive a full color map with all trolley stops listed and things to do and see at each stop and a coupon sheet for discounts on attractions, restaurants and shopping.

Tuesday, October 9th

TOUR #1 SAN DIEGO CITY TOUR 0930 – 1530 $ 29.00

The best way to introduce you to San Diego and all it has to offer. You will embark on a comprehensive journey that highlights San Diego’s most notable points of interest:

• visit inspiring landscapes and seascapes in the upscale seaside community of La Jolla;
• see breathtaking views of San Diego, Mexico and the Pacific Ocean from atop Mount Soledad;
• visit Cabrillo National Monument with spectacular views from the Point Loma Lighthouse;
• view the Embarcadero Park which lines the San Diego Bay and is the home to the USS Midway, Maritime Museum, and the majestic Star of India, then pass by Seaport Village and the Convention Center;
• visit A National Salute to Bob Hope and the Military, an interactive and personal grouping of 16 sculptures to experience some sense of the connection and bonding that Bob Hope had with the service people he entertained;
• drive across the bridge to Coronado, surrounded by the San Diego Bay and the Pacific Ocean, and home to
  a National Historic Landmark, the Hotel del Coronado;
• explore Old Town State Historic Park, birthplace of California and the first European settlement on the West Coast.

The tour will stop in Old Town for you to enjoy lunch on your own. Price includes trolley transportation, fully narrated city tour, and driver/guide gratuity.

TOUR #2 BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO 0930 – 1630 $ 69.50

Cross the “busiest international border in the world” to Baja California where you will see some of the most beautiful beaches with pleasant sea breezes of a Riviera style climate, modern hotels, world class restaurants, pulsating day and nightlife and is a shoppers paradise. Your tour begins with a drive through the revitalized downtown Tijuana along Avenida Revolucion, then pass the Tijuana Cultural Center, Famous Old Bullring,
Tijuana Zoo and Tijuana Tower. The 18-mile drive on the Rosarito-Tijuana Scenic Road will take you to Rosarito Beach, once the Mexican Hollywood during the 1920’s and now a blooming beachside community with many shops for you to bargain with the vendors for great deals.

Next it’s on to Puerto Nuevo for a delicious lobster feast and includes a welcome margarita. English is spoken by almost all merchants in Baja
and US currency is accepted by almost all merchants. Price includes deluxe coach transportation, professional driver-narrator guide and gratuities, lunch, direct border crossing permit, applicable taxes, and restaurant gratuities.

US citizens need a valid US Passport, US Passport Card, Trusted Travelers Card or state issued Enhanced Driver’s License to get back into the US.

Each visitor to Mexico is allowed to purchase up to $800 US dollars of duty-free merchandise free including up to one liter or one quart of alcoholic beverage or beer. Additional items can be purchased by paying duty and IRT on these items. Upon return to the United States from Mexico, US citizens need a valid U.S. Passport, U.S. Passport Card, Trusted Travelers Card or state issued Enhanced Driver’s License. A valid passport, I-94, Multiple Entry Visa or Resident Alien Card is required for non-USA citizens. Canadian citizens should have identification required when entering the U.S. from Canada. The U.S. Border Agent must ask each guest to state his/her citizenship and tell about his/her purchases. Before getting off the motorcoach, guests will be instructed to collect all of his/her possessions -- nothing can be left of the motorcoach. You will be escorted through the check area and met at the exit door. The motorcoach will be checked by the Border Agents and proceed to pick you up on the American side of the border. See www.cbp.gov for more information.

Wednesday, October 10th

TOUR #3 SAN DIEGO SCENIC LUNCH CRUISE 1015 – 1400  $68.50

Get out in the San Diego sun on this beautiful Luncheon Cruise. Enjoy a seated lunch on our private deck as you watch the spectacular views of San Diego’s ever changing water views aboard this 2-hour fully narrated cruise aboard the Spirit of San Diego. Entrée options are:

• Choice #1 Grilled Chicken Breast – marinated breast of chicken served with a rosemary cream sauce
• Choice #2 Grilled Swordfish Medallions – grilled swordfish medallions brushed with an herb citrus butter
• Choice #3 Flat Iron Steak – grilled flat iron steak served with a caramelized shallot demi-glaze
• Choice #4 Jumbo Stuffed Shells – jumbo stuffed shells Florentine in a tomato cream sauce

All entrees are served with fresh baked rolls and butter, baby greens salad with herb balsamic vinaigrette, fresh seasonal vegetables, rice pilaf, cheesecake, coffee, and iced tea.

Price includes private deck aboard public 2 hour cruise on San Diego Bay, lunch, transportation, applicable taxes and gratuities.

TOUR #4 JULIAN TOUR & LUNCH AT WINERY 0930 – 1630 $ 54.00

Welcome to Julian, a premier mountain getaway, in the beautiful Cuyamaca Mountains. Julian is an historic gold mining town located approximately 1 ½ hours east of San Diego and in the Fall, Julian is famous for their apple orchards and fall colors. Take a step back in time to the days of Julian’s beginning rooted in the 1870s gold rush. Get away from the hectic rush of city life. . .Discover the charms of Julian. . .See where gold was discovered... Shop in stores housed in historic buildings, some dating back to the 1870s. . .Ride down Main Street in a horsedrawn carriage. With such a variety of activities you can create your own memorable Julian experience. From mid-September thru mid-November is Julian’s Fall Apple Harvest celebrating their famous apple pies and ciders. Before you head back down to San Diego you will make a detour to the Menghini Winery where you will enjoy a delicious BBQ lunch along with a wine tasting overlooking the vineyard. Lunch includes Tri Tip and Chicken BBQ, salad, rolls, dessert and water.

Price includes deluxe coach transportation and driver gratuities, lunch of your choice and wine tasting at the Menghini Winery, complimentary wine glass, applicable taxes, and restaurant gratuities.

Thursday, October 11th

TOUR #5 VIEJAS CASINO / OUTLET CENTER 0900 – 1600 $25.00

Viejas is one of California’s premier Indian Casino’s with a showroom, shopping outlets and, of course, 24-hour gaming. Run by the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians – one of the original inhabitants of what is now Southern California and Baja Norte – Viejas Casino and Turf Club offers all the best in poker, bingo, Indian black jack, and video poker. Directly across the street is the Viejas Outlet Center – the most unique shopping experience in San Diego. Completely themed with a rich Native American heritage, Viejas offers the most popular names and values in outlet shopping. Complimenting the great savings are two large entertainment areas, tranquil streams and a specialty food court. Upon arrival you will be given a Casino Fun book, Outlet Center Discount Book and $20 cash to spend however you like.

In order for the Association to have their deposit refunded -- once you arrive at the Casino you MUST go to a V Club Booth, show a valid ID card & have a V Club Card made for you. Your V Club Card needs to be used for gaming of at least $1.00, & then bring your card with you when you board the bus back to the Hotel.

Price includes deluxe coach transportation and driver gratuity, Casino Fun Book, Outlet Center Discount Book, and $20 cash upon arrival to Casino.

TOUR #6 STARS & STRIPES USA-11 SAILING 1100 – 1630 $118.00

This is a one-of-a-lifetime opportunity to go sailing on an authentic America’s Cup Class racing yacht – Dennis Conner’s Stars & Stripes USA-11 – from the 1992 America’s Cup held in San Diego. This 78-foot boat with an 11-story mast is the most exhilarating and interactive sailing experience available on San Diego Bay. A firstclass, multi-million dollar, technically-advanced yacht and one of the fastest sailing vessels ever built, zips around San Diego Bay at up to 14 knots, twice the speed of the average sailboat. Take the helm of Stars & Stripes, USA-11, and live the dream for yourself. Once on board you can either choose to just sit back, relax, and enjoy the action or you can help the crew raise the sails, take the helm and steer the boat, assist with navigation and tactics, tack and jibe, or grind the winches to trim the sails. This 3-hour trip is one that you will never forget. No sailing experience is necessary to be a part of this unique and exciting adventure. Due to the design and weight of this boat the ride is amazingly smooth and getting seasick is not a concern. There is a minimum of 15 passengers and a maximum of 24 passengers for this tour.

Price includes transportation and driver gratuity, 3-hour private charter aboard the Stars & Stripes USA-11 boat, soft drinks, bottled water and light snacks (peanuts and pretzels), and partial crew gratuities. (The crew includes the Captain/owner and a dedicated team of volunteers who have been sailing together for years. The volunteers rely on tips and the price of this tour includes only a minimal tip. It is encouraged to leave an additional tip at the end of the sail.)

Thursday, October 11th

EVENT #1 BANQUET DINNER 1930 – 2300

Prior to the annual banquet dinner there will be a cash bar and time to visit the photographer and have your formal portrait taken.
Your banquet meal will be served with a garden salad with dressing, rolls and butter, chef’s accompaniments, dessert and coffee, tea and decaffeinated coffee. Dinner choices are:

Choice #1 Herb Crusted Salmon $47.50 Herb crusted salmon served with red pepper tomato coulis

Choice #2 Filet of Beef $46.50 Horton petite cut roasted filet of beef served with Cabernet glaze and Shitake mushrooms

Choice #3 Horton Grand Stuffed Chicken Breast $42.50  Stuffed chicken breast with cous-cous, sundried tomato, mozzarella cheese and Chardonnay cream sauce

Friday, October 12th

EVENT #2 FAREWELL BREAKFAST 0630 – 0930 $22.00

Breakfast buffet to include eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, fruit, juice, coffee and tea.