Green Drive Expo is coming to California; Free admission through PriusChat

I grew up (K thru 12) in south San Jose (far from Richmond) and was living back there again from 04 to 09. I always got the impression that Richmond and Oakland are a hotbed of shootings and homicides. If one watches KTVU 2 10 o'clock news (San Francisco, Oakland & San Jose: Bay Area News, Weather & Traffic - KTVU California), you'll almost always hear of some shooting in one of those two cities. I think I've never personally ventured to Richmond as I've had no reason to. Ask my parents (who still live in San Jose) and they'll tell you the same thing.

East Palo Alto is a city notorious for shootings too, but it's not near the above two cities.

For those that don't know the Bay Area, just keep all this in mind. I'm not trying to be a party pooper but just telling you folks to be careful.

As for Detroit, well, we were shuttled around by Toyota by bus and driver to/from the airport. I sure didn't venture out much and virtually every place else I went was via cab and then a shuttle from the convention center back to the airport. There wasn't as much opportunity for someone unfamiliar w/the area to make a wrong turn or get into danger.

(Side story: When I was on college break w/some friends visiting friends at UC Berkeley, my friend, the driver, took a wrong turn and ended up in a bad part of Oakland. A junk car was weaving back and forth practically blocking our way and we all wanted to get the hell out of there, pronto.)

 

I just had a schedule change. I'll be in Portugal on Oct 9th.

 

The weather could be just about anything in October. There is a trail marathon the same day as the expo (Golden Hills Marathon General Page Questions), and their description is "Can be hot, perfect or cold and raining. In previous years, race week has included the following: fire, earthquake, flood, and stock market crash." Oh well, guess I'll have to miss the marathon this year.

As for Richmond, the hotel is next to a large shopping mall in the middle of suburbia. The expo is in an area where they built the WWII liberty ships. It is old ship building industrial, recycling into modern light industrial. Nearby are newer high priced condominiums replacing old heavy industry. Point Richmond has a small "downtown" with antique stores and nice eateries. It's been a while since I was in the area, but it was definitely on the way up even a few years ago. The biggest feature of the area is the Chevron oil refinery. You don't want to be downwind of it when the sirens go off. I'm not sure where the demarcation line between yuppy tourist and urban gangland is currently drawn, but in general I'd not go near northwest Richmond without a local bodyguard. Downtown Richmond was never a destination for outsiders, and I doubt that has changed any. The hotel/expo areas are fine.

 

RobH is right. The Craneway Pavilion and the hotel are fine. There are other nice areas of town as well like Port Richmond, too.

When traveling/visiting an unfamiliar big city I try to use common sense and people can definitely contact me offline if they have questions. 608-729-4082, [email protected]. Or give me a phone # and a time, and I'll call you.

 

The odds of Richmond weather being good then are very high, but as always, be prepared.

 

I've booked my room at the hotel, and registered as a VIP for the event.

The Dalmatian Prius is coming to Green Drive Expo!

 

Yay! Looking forward to seeing you again.
So it sounds like we won't see you in time for the MPG Challenge on Friday though, eh? Dang! I'd love to see the Dalmatian Prius come in as the underdog and beat the other challengers.

 

Where is the dislike button for this post?

 

F8L, Use the Thanks button, it knows what you mean

 

I thought he was going to ride up there on his white horse, Silver?

(and show those polluting hybrid drivers and fossil fuel-to-"EV" drivers what a true dedicated environmentalist he really is!)

 

Even better, he is carpooling. With me

 

I had thought of cycling down, but the weather on the way home would not be at all comfortable, and it's difficult to justify that much time away. Plus, the environmental impact of the additional nutrition required may actually be greater than the impact of hauling my skinny butt additional weight in a vehicle that's going anyway. Silver's needed at home, too.

 

Alright everyone, we have some pretty interesting vehicles in the Owners Showcase, but we'd still like to see more. What other cool Prius's are in the Bay area that what to show off their stuff? And if you're a PHEV owner, be sure to bring your bumper cord so you can charge up while you show off your ride.

 

The event area is the better side of the freeway. IIRC, near waterfront, old buildings, likely near 'Rosie the Riveter' history buildings. Pretty sure there is a wharf and sailboats in the area.

Just don't go to North side of 580 and certainly stay away from North Richmond.

 

I looks like I may not be able to make it. I'm sad but since I'll be missing it due to surgery I am not going to cry about it.

*now to message my potential weekend house mates*

 

Life isn't getting any easier, is it?

You can miss the party if you really have to, but I'm going to visit you anyway.

 

I am really really bummed that I don't get to go.
Stupid life.

Only bright side is that a magical prius witch and a cowboy super hero might come by my place and sprinkle some of their prius happiness on their way...

Oh and, I don't have to know that I missed seeing hottie Justin if he's not going to be there either.

 

So go. We could make a little detour to Malibu on Sunday.