The Embassy Suites is relatively easy, it's where 237 meets 680 (although I
agree
there's absolutely nothing to distinguish it especially from the air, it's
not
even THAT tall. The Crowne Plaza at the 237/880 intersection is much more
distinctive from the air, but is inside the Class C surface zone).

I find all these VRPs quite a hoot. I'm still waiting to be told to report
over
"Ed's Tire and Muffler" or "Gloria's Dry Cleaning and Laundry".

John

"Sonja Wong" wrote in message
...
Craig Prouse wrote:

Here at PAO, I still have only a vague idea of the location of something
called the "birdcage."

Recently I received instructions to fly to the "toll plaza." I flew
directly to the nearest toll plaza at the east end of the Dumbarton
Bridge
(Hwy 84). Only later did I notice that "Toll Plaza" is a designated VFR
reporting point at the east end of the San Mateo Bridge (Hwy 92), the
next
bridge up the bay. Oops, perhaps, but ATC never said anything about it.
All the bridges around here have toll plazas, and we've got a bunch of
them.

I've never heard of anyone having to report the Toll Plaza when flying
to PAO (though I've had to do it once or twice flying from SQL to HWD,
but then you just fly along the San Mateo bridge, so it makes sense)...

I always think it's funny that when you're over Walnut Creek and telling
OAK tower you want to land, they tell you to report over the Mormon
temple. That'd be okay--if the Mormon temple were actually visible from
that side of the hills! I had to make my best guess as to where it was
twice, and twice ended up a mile or two south of it.

Now if anyone can tell me where the abandoned airport is for CCR or
which group of buildings is the Embassy Suites for SJC, I'd be set!

-Sonja