Marconi Conference Center

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  The Marconi Conference Center isn't just a conference center, it is also a retreat and "sacred ground" to radio squirrels.
  
  Lots of Yelpers commenting on the age of the rooms, etc.  Apparently, they are not aware of the history of the grounds of the Marconi Conference Center, or choose to remain snooty or entitled.
  
  The site was established by the Marconi Wireless company in 1913 as the receive location for their Pacific circuit (transmit site in Bolinas) and was not only used by the radiomen, but their families as they lived on site.  It was a community unto itself, and the foliage you see all around was planted there through the years, not native to the site.  If you're a history fan, or particularly, a radio history fan, you know just how special this place truly is;  You are standing on sacred ground.  God himself must surely have MCC on His list of favorite places.
  
  The rooms are very well kept, and always very clean.  You don't feel the need to wear slippers on the carpet.  I have stayed several times, and my wife has been able to join me once.  She is a bird and plantlife nerd, and said that the Marconi Conference Center has some of the best birding anywhere.  The deer walk right up to your window (if you are staying on ground floor) and provide many "peeping Tom" joke opportunities.  The hummingbirds will fearlessly hover at your doorway and spy on you when you leave the door open to let that wonderful, flowery fresh air inside.
  
  The showers and bathrooms in the rooms I have stayed were always ultra-clean and worked well.  Yes, some of the rooms are old, the place is supposed to be old!  However, despite the age, you cannot help but be inspired by the way they are kept and maintained.  Some of you complainers probably let your homes go to heck rather than maintain them, you should take a lesson.
  
  The staff is amazing.  I swear, they must be under the calming influence of the blessed grounds here, all peaceful and helpful.  The kitchen staff is amazing.  I'm not throwing that word around recklessly either.  I am a vegetarian, wife is on lowfat.  Problem?  Of course not!  They bent over backwards to include food items that we could eat, all very tasty and plenty of it.  Food is served sorta hosted buffet style, and all you can eat. We're both thin, so cannot eat as much as some other guests, but that never stops us at Marconi Conference Center from eating until the point of pain, it is just all so delicious and fresh!
  
  Kathy and Venta are the two people that stand out most on our minds.  You cannot find a more gracious, knowledgeable, and respectful host than Kathy.  Not only does she know a lot about the site, but also about history, and the area itself.  Whatever they pay you people isn't enough.
  
  Tipping isn't allowed except at checkout, and left at the front desk.  I tip well, and went way overboard tipping at Marconi Conference Center last time, but still feel like it wasn't enough.
  
  Plenty of old radios to look at, plenty of artifacts on site to stimulate your imagination, and so much beauty all around.  From the grounds-keepers to the kitchen staff, including one lady who spent time there as a child with her radioman grandfather who was employed at the site, you will feel refreshed and renewed at Marconi Conference Center.  You may even forget why you're there in the first place.  Call and see if rooms are available for an overnight stay, just for fun!  You won't be sorry.  Be sure to fill out a "Marconigram" (forms in every room) and mail it to someone.  Go ahead- Rub it in.

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  Posted on 07.31.11 P. S.

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  I guess if you're going to attend a conference, this isn't a bad place to be. You get a great view of the pristine Tomales Bay, and the grounds are extremely well kept. Still, this place leaves a lot to be desired. The rooms are pretty old, although the beds are comfortable and the sheets are nice and soft. The conference rooms are not particularly great for talks/presentations. The main hall seems like it could fit more people and the smaller conference rooms are not that conducive to interaction. The food here is average, but the staff is super friendly. The drive out is full of twists and turns, so if you get carsick at all... I won't be riding with you.
  
  Hog Island Oyster Company is just down the road, so it's a good place to stop for a few Kumamotos or grilled oysters, and Cowgirl Creamery, Giacomini Dairy (which produces Point Reyes Blue Cheese), and Lagunitas brewery are in the area, so there are plenty of places to go in the area. Apparently there's also quite a bit of good kayaking in the bay.
  
  If you happen to be here during the summer, the conference center is literally a few hundred feet from the water's edge, so you can walk down to the shore and enjoy a peaceful night listening to the gentle waves lapping at the rocks.

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  Posted on 03.11.11 Saunders C.

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  Just returned from 3 days and two nights at the Marconi Conference Center. It is located in a beautiful setting - well-kept grounds teeming with rosemary, salvia and other plants. Lots of trees and the paths are paved for easy walking. The dining room is up a hill but depending on your fitness or level of disability it should be doable for most. There also are a few DP parking places if you need to drive up the hill.
  
  The room I stayed in was on the 2nd floor of the Heron building. It was small for two people (two twins) but I had it all to myself. There was a beautiful view of the bay and trees. There was a wood rocker/glider and a small desk. The heat worked and there were flashlights, an alarm clock and coffee maker in the room. I brought my own headlight and loved using that. Sound did travel through the walls/floor but it didn't bother me much. Nothing fancy but everything was clean and in working order. Some art by local artists would have added tremendously to the room ambiance.
  
  I was pleasantly surprised by the quality and abundance of the food. I have numerous food intolerances/allergies and I always had plenty of choices. It was a bit harder for the person in our group who was vegetarian/lactose intolerant but the staff graciously offered versions without cheese whenever possible. At dinner there was usually a choice of 3 entrees and they were happy to give you some of each. Salads were good and plentiful. Starches were great - polenta with cheese and another night what they called risotto. I'm sure Marcella Hazan wouldn't approve but it was tasty. Breakfast options included oatmeal, granola, yogurts, toast/english muffin station, at least one kind of eggs, a variety of potatoes, a pork product and pancakes. And lots of fruit. For a snack one afternoon we ordered a cheese plate and it came with a variety of local cheeses, grapes and baguette slices brushed with olive oil. Also appreciated that they used compostable cutlery and easy to compost paper plates. Not sure if they actually composted on site.
  
  The meeting room (Cypress) was comfortable with a couple of kinds of chairs and even a small outdoor meeting space. There was a second smaller meeting room that we never used and two restrooms.
  
  All in all this was one of the nicest conference centers I've visited.
  
  With one small exception they staff was helpful and friendly. There was one woman in the dining room at night was was particularly wonderful.

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  Posted on 11.15.10 Markito M.

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  Do you enjoy beautiful scenery and wildlife?  Then check out this state park.  Nestled on a little hill off of Highway 1, this park offers great views of Tomales Bay to the west and lush green rolling hills to the east.  On different occasions, I have spotted the once endangered Tule Elk in the eastern hills.  They are quite a magnificent sight.  Sometimes one can spot rabbits just lazing around enjoying the warm evening air.  
  
  This is also a birder's paradise.  One can find birds great and small.  All day long, hummingbirds dart across the grounds while turkey vultures soar high above.  On my last visit, I was lucky and spotted an American Goldfinch and a junco for the first time.      
  
  There is also a full service conference center located in the park with guest housing and dining services available.  Ironically, this place named after a man who developed a wireless telegraph system has remarkably bad cell phone coverage.   But this in turn makes Marconi a perfect place to relax and get away from it all.

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  Posted on 04.26.10 Jeannette W.

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  Visiting the Marconi Center for a workshop, I found it was just as beautiful as I remembered.  
  
  Overlooking Tomales Bay, an idyllic setting if I ever saw one, is a state park with all the amenities.  Standing on a hill, looking at the world famous Hog Island and sea beyond, it's easy to understand why the town across the bay is named Inverness.  Looking at the antenna mounts on the hills, it's astonishing how big the antennas must have been.  The conference center, you see, is the remnants of a Marconi transcontinental radio receiver site.  
  
  The restaurant is awesome, too!  Every time we climb up the hill it gets shorter, but the food is consistently good and the staff is consistently helpful and friendly.  
  
  Last weekend we saw deer and turkeys.  One of the turkeys flew about 150 feet while we were watching.  Yes, turkeys can fly.  Smart people can drive up to the Marconi Center, just 50 miles from the City.

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  Posted on 07.29.09 David D.

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  This is a great place for conferences, I don't think that it's intended to be used as a vacation getaway. We were in Buck Hall and McCargo Hall for most of the meetings. They are both set up nicely for meetings and the staff do a great job making you feel welcome. The dining room is up a very steep hill but the buffet is good. There were odd choices at times but overall I cant complain. You get to eat and while gazing at Tomales Bay. My only complaint is the paper thin walls of the rooms. As of right now I'm going on 36 hours of pretty much no sleep (snorer upstairs). I heard there is a newer building, hopefully there are thicker walls to prevent the noise transfer.

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  Posted on 03.14.09 Michelle R.

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  A nice place for conferences, but I don't think I'd want to vacation here.  The rooms are clean and simple, and you're in a great location, but it's not "pretty" or "romantic."  There's an ok restaurant, and generally no cell phone reception.

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  Posted on 09.19.06 Derek G.

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