TAC/CC 2026
Travel Logistics

Hotel Information

Mission Pacific Beach Resort
201 N. Myers Street
Oceanside, CA 92054

Check-in: 4 p.m. Pacific
Check-out: 11 a.m. Pacific

Overview

Smarter Balanced will reserve and cover the cost of a nightly hotel room for each participant per the information entered through the registration form. Participants may not book rooms directly with the hotel. All individuals will need to present a credit card upon check-in for incidental charges and, if applicable, any additional nights not pre-approved by Smarter Balanced. 

Please note: It is highly recommended to use a credit card rather than a debit/check card upon check-in for incidental charges. The hotel will authorize and put a hold on your card, but the money isn't withdrawn from your account until check-out. 

You will receive an email with your hotel confirmation at least one week in advance of travel. If you do not receive a confirmation email for your hotel reservation, or if you have any questions about your hotel booking, please email events@smarterbalanced.org.  

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Ground Transportation

Participants are responsible for arranging their own ground transportation to and from Mission Pacific Beach Resort.  

The nearest major airport is San Diego International Airport, 40 miles away and approximately a 45- to 55-minute drive to Mission Pacific Beach Resort. Alternatively, Orange County’s John Wayne Airport is approximately a 50-minute drive to Mission Pacific Beach Resort. 

Attendees are eligible for reimbursement for ground transportation, including taxi, Uber, Lyft, or SuperShuttle to and from Mission Pacific Beach Resort. 

Uber/Lyft are readily available from the airport, and the average rideshare cost is $55-85 each way. Fares and travel time may vary based on the time of day. Please choose the most economical option. 

Before you get into a rideshare vehicle, make sure the license plate, car make and model, and driver’s name match the information listed in your rideshare app. 

Travel Information

Air Travel

Once you have registered, you will receive an event confirmation email from events@smarterbalanced.org.  In this confirmation email, you will receive a link to book your flights directly with Engine, our travel partner.

All flights will be paid for by Smarter Balanced through the Engine travel platform per UCSC guidelines and requirements.

Please note the following booking guidelines:

  • Flight itineraries less than $600 roundtrip may be booked by the attendees directly in the Engine system. Roundtrip airfare which exceeds $600 will require approval by Smarter Balanced. To obtain approval, please email events@smarterbalanced.org.
  • Per UCSC policies, standard coach/economy seating and one checked bag are approved costs for each participant and will be paid for by Smarter Balanced.

If an attendee needs to make changes to or cancel flight reservations, they must obtain approval in advance by Smarter Balanced via email to events@smarterbalanced.org.

If you have any questions regarding your registration or air travel, please email events@smarterbalanced.org.

Driving

For attendees driving to Oceanside, CA or those who live locally, please note that the IRS mileage reimbursement rate for expenses for travel by car is 70 cents per mile. Mission Pacific Beach Resort has extended a discounted overnight valet parking rate of $35 per night with in/out privileges and overnight self-parking for $10. The parking cost will be covered by Smarter Balanced directly for the nights of October 13, 14, and 15. Attendees will be required to pay the hotel directly upon check-in for any additional nights.

Please note that all attendees wishing to drive to the event will need pre-approval from Smarter Balanced. In order to be approved, you must provide a comparison to show that the cost of driving including mileage totals, plus the cost of meals, parking, and lodging while in transit is less than the cost of airfare plus transportation costs to and from the airport. Please email nisreen@gearsk12.com with this information to request approval.

Attendees traveling within California can choose to travel to the event by train and will be reimbursed for the cost of the train ticket as well as the transportation from home/hotel to train station.

Weather

Please view the weather forecast in Oceanside, CA.

What's Nearby

"At Mission Pacific Beach Resort, we strive to bring you a curated experience so your visit with us is filled with one-of-a-kind events. Just across the street from our beachfront Oceanside hotel, walk the West Coast’s longest over-water pier for unforgettable views. Spend your day exploring Oceanside’s beautiful parks, take the scenic route to Mission San Luis Rey, or try a delicious farm-to-table meal at Piper located next door at The Seabird Resort.  

Treat yourself to an evening of handcrafted libations at The Rooftop Bar and shop label must-haves at The OZONE, a sustainable and trendy place to shop and just be. Whatever you prefer to do during your stay, make it your very own at Mission Pacific Beach Resort in sunny Oceanside."