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Welcome to the Silicon Valley Linux Users Group

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Directions to Cisco's Gateway Conference Center (Bldg J)
[Back up to the SVLUG Meetings page.]

These directions are for SVLUG meetings when they are held at the Gateway Conference Center at Cisco Systems' Building J. The address of the conference center is
255 W. Tasman Drive
San Jose, CA 95134 		Thanks to Cisco Systems for
providing these facilities for SVLUG!
Directions by the Cisco Linux User Group. 

General Meeting Information


        Date:   First Wednesday of the month, 7:00pm to 9:00pm

	Place:	Cisco Systems
		Building J - Gateway Conference Center
		255 West Tasman Drive
		San Jose, CA 94134

		Building J is the only 4-story building in
                Cisco's West Tasman campus.

		(On West Tasman Drive between Vista Montana and Champion.)

Careful: Cisco has another campus in North San Jose on East Tasman Drive near Zanker Road. This page of directions is for meetings at the West Tasman campus. Look for the intersection with Vista Montana or Building J. You know you're at the wrong campus if you see buildings are named with numbers (i.e. Building 9) instead of letters. Go westbound on Tasman, past Zanker Road and North First Street to get to the West Tasman campus.

Click here for info on previous meetings.

On this page:

GPS Coordinates
If you have a GPS receiver, enter the following waypoint in order to get directional arrows or other navigational assistance while enroute. These coordinates will put you within 30 feet of the conference center doors.

  • Latitude: 37° 24.722' North
  • Longitude: 121° 57.251' West

Map of North San Jose
(See also Cisco's headquarters site map at Cisco Connection Online.)

map

Via VTA Light Rail:

  • If you don't have a light rail pass (such as an Eco-pass from your employer or apartment complex) then buy a ticket at the station before boarding the trolley.
  • Take the light rail to the Champion Court station in North San Jose. This is located one stop east of the Baypointe transfer station. It is located in the center of Cisco's West Tasman campus.
  • (Light rail runs 24 hours a day. See VTA's light rail schedule)
  • Walking from the Champion station, cross Tasman Drive northward on the crosswalk. For the moment, you're going toward the three-story building (which is Bldg K.) (Every other building you can see adjacent to the station is two stories.)
  • Cross Champion Court westward on the crosswalk. Continue on the sidewalk along West Tasman, past Bldg K.
  • Bldg J will come into view behind Bldg K. Use the sidewalk along the side of Bldg K.
  • Once at Bldg J, pass the fountain in front of the building (where the "255" address faces) and continue around the side of the building. The Gateway Conference Center entrance is on the west side.

Via VTA Bus
There is no evening bus service to Tasman and Champion. However, the nearby Baypointe light rail transfer station is also a bus transit hub so you can transfer and take light rail one stop to the west. (Take a trolley which says it's going to Downtown Mountain View, departing from Baypointe's northern track on the side which faces the ONI Systems building.) These routes are still operating in the evening when SVLUG meets.

  • 33 - Milpitas
  • 58 - Saratoga
  • 74 - Eastridge
(Note: VTA bus route 20 was discontinued when the Tasman West light rail extension was completed. Use the light rail and/or bus route 33 instead.)

Via CalTrain

  • From San Francisco and the peninsula: transfer to VTA light rail at Downtown Mountain View. (30 minutes to Baypointe)
  • From Gilroy and Morgan Hill: CalTrain does not run northbound trains between Gilroy and Tamien after the morning commute hours. If you catch it in the morning, transfer to VTA light rail at the Tamien station.

Via Bicycle:

  • These roads have bike lanes or wide lanes with room for bikes:
    • All expressways in Santa Clara County have bike lanes.
    • Tasman Drive in San Jose and Milpitas (from Lick Mill in Santa Clara to Main in Milpitas)
    • Tasman Drive in Santa Clara is bikable but a bit narrow.
    • McCarthy Dr in Milpitas (from Dixon Landing Rd to Montague Expwy)
    • N First Street in San Jose (from US 101 to Alviso)
    • Old Oakland Rd in San Jose and Main Street in Milpitas
    • Zanker Road in San Jose (from US 101 to River Oaks Pkwy)
    • Cisco Way in San Jose (from River Oaks Pkwy to Tasman)
    See also the San Jose bike map (PDF viewer app required) hosted by the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition. But note that it is not current in the area of Cisco's East Tasman campus. (i.e. Tasman now has bike lanes from Lick Mill to I-880.)
  • These bikeways are available in the area
    • The Guadalupe River levee is also a bike trail between Alviso (North San Jose at the Bay) and Tasman Drive. This links with the Class 1 bikeway along Hwy 237. Direct access to Cisco's West Tasman Drive campus is at Tasman Drive, on both sides of the Tasman bridge. (Do not cross under bridges during flood conditions. Stay away from any surface that slopes down toward flood waters. Rescue may not be possible.)
    • There is a bikeway along the north side of Hwy 237 between Lawrence Expwy/Caribbean Dr and Great America Pkwy. This is part of the Bay Trail. Use the end segment of Great America Pkwy parallel to 237, and take Lafayette under 237 to reach the next section of the bikeway.
    • There is a bikeway along the south side of Hwy 237 between Lafayette and North First. Use the Guadalupe River levee or North First Street to get to Tasman Dr. Turn left on Tasman to Zanker to get to the conference center.
    • There is a bikeway along the south side of Hwy 237 between Zanker and McCarthy. Use the Coyote Creek levee or Zanker Rd southbound to get to Cisco.
    • The Coyote Creek levee is also a bike trail between Charcot Dr in North San Jose and Dixon Landing Road in Milpitas. Direct access to Cisco's East Tasman Drive campus is at Tasman Drive on the north side of the Tasman bridge. This trail can be used to cross under Hwy 237 or Montague Expwy. (Do not cross under bridges during flood conditions. Stay away from any surface that slopes down toward flood waters. Rescue may not be possible.)
  • VTA Light Rail carries up to six bikes per trolley car. (See VTA's Bikes on Transit page.) Use the Champion Station as your destination. The best bicycle route is to take Champion Court and turn left in the first driveway, facing Bldg K. Turn right and go around the back of Bldg K and Bldg J. There is a wave-style bike rack in the back of Bldg J.
  • Use caution in the following construction areas:
    • Zanker Road between Tasman Dr and River Oaks Pkwy - road widening. This is open to bikes but the open trench next to the road is a big hazard, especially at night. Northbound you'll be OK, across the street from the open trench.
    • Great Mall Parkway - light rail bridge construction in the median. The bike lanes have been removed on the north side of the road. Signs are posted that advise bikes to use the sidewalk. Ride closer to pedestrian speed when on the sidewalks. Or if you're a more experienced cyclist, "take the lane" when it's safe to since there isn't room for a bike lane.
    • Capitol Avenue from Montague Expwy to Hostetter Rd - road widening and light rail construction. There is no room for bikes on Capitol Ave between Montague Expwy and Autumnvale where the road is being widened for a light rail bridge to be in the median. Utility relocation also makes uneven surface up to I-680.
    • Montague Expressway near Trimble Road - overpass construction. The road is open to bikes but use caution for construction and open trenches alongside the road.
    • 880/237 interchange - major interchange expansion. It is legal but challenging to use Calaveras Blvd (237) to McCarthy Blvd. Some cyclists are brave enough to continue to try it through the construction. Unless you are extremely familiar with it, we recommend Tasman Drive instead. Cyclists coming from Fremont may also use Dixon Landing to cross 880. The construction will eventually connect a bike route over I-880 from Calaveras to McCarthy.
    • There are no longer any bicycle hazards from the light rail construction on Tasman between Zanker and I-880.
  • A wave-style bike rack is on the back side Bldg J away from the lobby, just to the north of the conference center entrance. Sorry about the placement - this was situated for Cisco employees coming to work but visitors may use it.
  • Showers are not readily available for non-employees at the facility. If you can arrange for an SVLUG member or friend who is a Cisco employee to escort you through the office area, there are showers intended for cyclists in the restrooms on the second floor on the north side of the building. Don't plan on access to them unless you make prior arrangements with someone who can help you get there.

From I-880, Milpitas or the East Bay:

  • Use caution for freeway interchange construction at 880/237. Expect delays.
  • Take the Great Mall Parkway and Tasman Drive exit off I-880.
  • Turn westbound (away from the Great Mall). In this direction, the road is called Tasman Drive.
  • Continue past Cisco's Milpitas campus, which you might notice as you pass Alder Dr just after I-880 in Milpitas.
  • Continue past Cisco's East Tasman campus, which you'll notice as you drive through it after the Coyote Creek bridge and the Calpine power plant.
  • Pass Zanker Road and North First Street.
  • Pass two more traffic lights. (Rio Robles and Champion Court.)
  • Turn right into the second or third driveways into the Cisco parking lot. Bldg J is the 4-story building ahead of you.
Alternate route from I-880 and Milpitas:
  • Use caution for freeway interchange construction at 880/237. Expect delays.
  • Take Hwy 237 westbound from I-880.
  • Exit from Hwy 237 at North First Street. Turn left (southbound) on North First Street.
  • Turn right at the second traffic signal, which is Vista Montana.
  • Across from Rennaisance Drive (which will be on the right) turn left into the Cisco parking lot.
  • Bldg J is the 4-story building ahead of you. You are facing the side with the entrance to the Gateway Conference Center.

Alternate from the East Bay:

  • If I-880 southbound from Fremont is jammed, you may exit at Dixon Landing Road for an alternate route.
  • Turn right on Dixon Landing Road and immediately left onto McCarthy Blvd. (The McCarthy extension to Dixon Landing opened in Aug 2000.)
  • Continue past the interchange at Hwy 237. (This allows you to avoid the 880/237 interchange construction.)
  • Turn right on Tasman Drive, which will immediately take you over the Coyote Creek Bridge.
  • Continue past Cisco's East Tasman campus, which you'll notice as you drive through it after the Coyote Creek bridge and the Calpine power plant.
  • Pass Zanker Road and North First Street.
  • Pass two more traffic lights. (Rio Robles and Champion Court.)
  • Turn right into the second or third driveways into the Cisco parking lot. Bldg J is the 4-story building ahead of you.
From Hwy 87, San Jose International Airport and Downtown San Jose:
  • Use caution for freeway construction on Hwy 87 (Guadalupe Parkway) between downtown and US 101, including by the airport.
  • Take Hwy 87 (Guadalupe Parkway) northbound to North First Street.
  • Turn left on North First Street. Note the light rail tracks - you'll follow them all the way to the meeting location.
  • Follow North First Street about 2-1/2 to 3 miles. Landmarks which you'll pass are Trimble Road and Montague Expressway.
  • Turn left on West Tasman Drive. This street intersection also has a "tee" intersection in the light rail tracks.
  • Pass two traffic lights. (Rio Robles and Champion Court.)
  • Turn right into the second or third driveways into the Cisco parking lot. Bldg J is the 4-story building ahead of you.
From Mountain View and the peninsula:
  • Peninsula residents: Use Hwy 101 "southbound" (which actually takes you east in this area) to get to Hwy 237.
  • Take Hwy 237 eastbound.
  • Exit from Hwy 237 at North First Street. The exit ramp loops to the right. Turn left (southbound) on North First.
  • Turn right at the first traffic signal, which is Vista Montana.
  • Across from Rennaisance Drive (which will be on the right) turn left into the Cisco parking lot.
  • Bldg J is the 4-story building ahead of you. You are facing the side with the entrance to the Gateway Conference Center.
Alternate route from Mountain View and the peninsula:
  • If Hwy 237 is backed up, you may exit 237 at Fair Oaks Ave, Lawrence Expressway, or Great America Parkway. You'll want to go to the right from the freeway.
  • In all three cases, make a left at Tasman Drive and follow the light rail tracks to Vista Montana in San Jose (not far after Lick Mill Blvd and the Lick Mill light rail station.) The earlier you get off 237, the longer this will take.
  • Turn left at the traffic signal at Vista Montana.
  • Turn right in the second driveway.
  • Bldg J is the 4-story building ahead of you. You are facing the side with the entrance to the Gateway Conference Center.
From Santa Clara:
  • From parts of Santa Clara, you may need to use San Tomas Expressway to get to Montague Expressway. It's the same road and changes names as you cross Hwy 101.
  • Take Montague Expressway northbound to Lick Mill Blvd.
  • Turn left on Lick Mill. [Note: if you miss Lick Mill, turn left on North First Street and follow the "from Downtown" directions above.]
  • Follow Lick Mill to its end. (Speed limit 35mph strictly enforced by SCPD.)
  • Turn right on Tasman Drive. You'll cross over the Guadalupe River bridge.
  • Turn left at the second traffic signal, which is Vista Montana.
  • Turn right in the second driveway.
  • Bldg J is the 4-story building ahead of you. You are facing the side with the entrance to the Gateway Conference Center.
From Sunnyvale:
  • Take Lawrence Expressway northbound to Tasman Drive. (Tasman is two traffic signals north of Hwy 101 on Lawrence. It can be recognized by the light rail tracks crossing Lawrence.)
  • Turn right on Tasman Drive. Note the narrower lanes and reduced speed limit for light rail construction. The road widens before Great America Parkway.
  • After passing Lick Mill Blvd and the Guadalupe River Bridge, turn left at the second traffic signal, which is Vista Montana.
  • Turn right in the second driveway.
  • Bldg J is the 4-story building ahead of you. You are facing the side with the entrance to the Gateway Conference Center.
From Campbell, Los Gatos, and Saratoga:
(recommended route when freeways are jammed)
  • Take San Tomas Expressway northbound through Campbell, West San Jose and Santa Clara. The road changes names to Montague Expressway after crossing Hwy 101.
  • Continue using the directions for Santa Clara.
Alternative route from Campbell, Los Gatos, and Sarato ga:
  • Take Lawrence Expressway northbound through West San Jose and Sunnyvale.
  • Continue using the directions for Sunnyvale.
Second alternative route from Campbell, Los Gatos, an d Saratoga:
  • Take Hwy 85 "northbound" through Campbell, Cupertino, Los Altos and Mountain View.
  • Exit to Hwy 237 eastbound.
  • Continue using the directions for Mountain View.
Third alternative route from Campbell, Los Gatos, and Saratoga:
  • Take Hwy 17 northbound. The freeway becomes I-880 after you pass I-280.
  • Take I-880 northbound through Santa Clara, central San Jose, north San Jose and Milpitas. Expect traffic jams before reaching Hwy 101 and continuing until Montague Expressway, where I-880 squeezes down to 2 lanes each way.
  • Exit at Great Mall Parkway / Tasman Drive. Turn left onto Tasman Drive.
  • Continue using the directions from I-880.
From I-680, Berryessa and East San Jose:
  • Take I-680 northbound to Montague Expressway.
  • Take Montague Expressway westbound.
  • Turn right on Great Mall Parkway.
  • Note that Great Mall Parkway becomes Tasman Drive when you cross over I-880.
  • Use caution for light rail construction in the median of Great Mall Parkway and Tasman Drive in Milpitas and East Tasman Drive in San Jose. Heavy construction has begun on Great Mall Parkway and can change on a daily or hourly basis so we can only advise caution. Construction is winding down on Tasman Drive and will be completed by early 2001.
  • Continue with the "I-880 and Milpitas" directions above.
Alternate route from I-680, Berryessa and East San Jose:
  • Take I-680 northbound to Montague Expressway.
  • Take Montague Expressway westbound about 4 miles to North First Street.
  • Turn right on North First Street.
  • Continue with the "Downtown San Jose" directions above.
From Southeast San Jose:
  • Take Hwy 101 northbound to Montague Expressway.
  • Use the "Santa Clara" directions above.
Alternate route for San Francisco residents (and BALUG members):
  • If Hwy 101 is jammed on the peninsula, you may choose I-280 to get to the South Bay. (Reliable traffic reports are on KLIV 1590 AM around San Jose and KCBS 740 AM around San Francisco.)
  • Exit from I-280 at Hwy 85 northbound (toward Mountain View).
  • Exit from Hwy 85 at Hwy 237 eastbound (toward Milpitas).
  • Continue with the directions above for "Mountain View."

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