The event will be held on the Oregon State University Campus in Corvallis, OR, in Johnson Hall (105 SW 26th, Corvallis, OR, 97330).
For parking information, visit: https://transportation.oregonstate.edu/parking/visitors
Portland International Airport (PDX) — approximately 1¾ hours by car flypdx.com Best for: travelers who can find a direct flight, or those without a car. Pros: More direct flight options from major hubs; Groome Transportation offers direct hourly shuttle service to the OSU campus (no rental car needed); well-connected to the interstate. Cons: Larger, busier airport; requires navigating Portland traffic on the way in or out.
Eugene Airport (EUG) — approximately 45 minutes by car eugene-or.gov/airport Best for: travelers who are renting a car or comfortable with rideshare. Pros: Much closer to Corvallis; smaller airport with faster security and easier navigation; less traffic en route. Cons: Fewer direct flights; no shuttle service to Corvallis — a rental car or rideshare (Uber/Lyft) is required.
Rental Cars PDX and EUG are both fully served by major rental car agencies. Driving is the most flexible option and allows easy access to campus and surrounding areas. Parking is available near the conference venue. [link to parking info once confirmed]
Shared Shuttle (PDX → Corvallis) Groome Transportation operates direct shuttle service between Portland International Airport and several Corvallis hotels, with departures approximately every hour. Rome2Rio The journey takes roughly 2 hours and tickets cost approximately $49 one-way. Uber Corvallis stops include the Comfort Suites (1730 NW 9th St), Hilton Garden Inn (2500 SW Western Blvd), and Courtyard by Marriott (400 SW 1st St). Groome Transportation® Book at groometransportation.com
Bus (PDX → Corvallis) FlixBus offers service from Portland to Corvallis, with tickets starting around $23, and the journey taking approximately 1 hour 55 minutes. There are 2 departures daily, and the Corvallis stop is at Oregon State University (14th St/Jefferson Way). Flixbus Book at flixbus.com
Rideshare — Uber and Lyft are both available in Corvallis and are the most convenient option for getting between your hotel and the OSU campus.
City Bus — The Corvallis Transit System (CTS) is free to ride and operates seven days a week, with routes covering the downtown and university areas. Visit Corvallis Real-time bus tracking is available on the CTS website.
Walking & Cycling — The downtown and university neighborhoods are highly walkable, and Corvallis has been recognized as one of the nation's most bicycle-friendly cities. Visit Corvallis Bike rentals are available locally if you'd like to explore on two wheels.
We highly recommend that conference attendees stay at Gage Suites as we have secured a group booking and reduced rate ($209 CAD/night).
GROUP BOOKING CUT-OFF DATE: August 5th, 2025. Please book before this date to obtain the group rate.
5959 Student Union Blvd, Vancouver, BC V6T 1K2
Gage Suites is the only hotel at UBC and is located a 10-minute walk from the conference venue. The rooms covered by the group booking have a king-size bed and a queen-size sofa bed.
Guests may use this link <https://tinyurl.com/nhfd98n8> to access the reduced rates for lodging at Gage Suites from September 5th to September 7th. Alternatively, guests may call the Reservations Office at (604) 822-1000, Ext. 3, or toll free at 1-888-822-1030 or email reservations@housing.ubc.ca and indicate they are with the Pacific Coast Catalysis Society Meeting or mention the Group Code (G250905A) to receive the group rate.
The discounted group rate extends for three days before the September 5th official check in date and three days after the September 7th check out date. These dates are not contracted and reserved so they are subject to availability. To book these additional days, please manually change the dates on the website while booking.
September is a wonderful time to visit Corvallis. The summer heat has mellowed, the skies are typically clear and blue, and the surrounding Willamette Valley is beautiful heading into harvest season. Whether you're arriving a day early or staying the weekend, there's plenty to explore.
Over 40 murals cover the sides of buildings across downtown Corvallis, many crafted by regional artists paying tribute to local culture. The Corvallis Farmers' Market runs on Saturdays through late November, filling the downtown Riverfront with local produce, food, and artisan goods. The downtown and university neighborhoods are highly walkable, and Corvallis is recognized as one of the nation's most bicycle-friendly cities (website: Visit Corvallis), a great way to explore at your own pace.
The OSU McDonald-Dunn Research Forest sits just north of campus and encompasses approximately 11,250 acres of forested land on the eastern foothills of the Coast Range. The forest offers 35 miles of trails and over 110 miles of roads open to hikers, trail runners, mountain bikers, and equestrians. For a classic outing, the Dimple Hill trail rewards hikers with views of Mount Hood, Three-Fingered Jack, and the Three Sisters. The adjacent Peavy Arboretum provides an easy entry point with shorter, family-friendly loops and picnic areas among giant sequoias and western red cedars. September is one of the best months to visit, trails are dry and the forest is beautiful heading into fall color season.
The Bald Hill Natural Area offers approximately five miles of easy-to-rigorous trails closer to town, and the William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge features boardwalk trails and observation blinds for watching birds, turtles, and sometimes even elk.
Marys Peak, the tallest mountain in the Oregon Coast Range at 4,097 feet, is one of the region's most popular outdoor destinations. Drive or hike to the summit for sweeping views stretching from the Pacific Ocean to the Cascades.
For the ambitious, the Corvallis-to-the-Sea Trail is a 62-mile path that departs from downtown, crosses the Oregon Coast Range, and ends at Ona Beach near Newport on the Oregon Coast. Bikes can be rented from Peak Bike & Outdoor (207 NW 2nd St, downtown Corvallis), call ahead to confirm gravel bike availability for the trail.
The coast is just over an hour's drive west of Corvallis. Newport is the closest major destination, offering the Oregon Coast Aquarium, the Hatfield Marine Science Center (an OSU facility!), fresh seafood on the bayfront, and dramatic ocean scenery.
Want excellent seafood? Head straight to Local Ocean Seafoods on Newport's historic bayfront, a dock-to-table restaurant where you can watch commercial fishing vessels come and go while enjoying a seasonal menu of local fish, crab cakes, and seafood stews sourced directly from Oregon fishermen. Tock Reservations are recommended, especially in September.
Corvallis sits in the heart of the Willamette Valley, one of the world's premier Pinot Noir regions. The Heart of Willamette wineries are all within 30 miles of Corvallis (website: Heartofwillamette), offering a scenic back-roads tasting experience at boutique, family-owned vineyards. OSU's long-standing Fermentation Science program has helped foster a thriving local craft beer scene. Block 15 Brewing crafts award-winning ales and lagers with local ingredients, Sky High Brewing offers a rooftop patio with some of the city's best sunset views, and Oregon Trail Brewery has been a downtown institution since 1987.
Alsea Falls (~45 min): A beloved waterfall deep in the Oregon Coast Range, with a staircase-like 30-foot drop over smooth rocks, plus trails and mountain biking nearby.
Willamette Valley Wine Country (~1 hr north): The Dundee Hills and McMinnville area are home to many of Oregon's most acclaimed wineries, perfect for a half- or full-day road trip.
Albany Historic District (~20 min): One of Oregon's best-preserved Victorian downtowns, worth a stroll and a meal.