TRAVELING
The sections that follow offer information to help you plan your trip to the United States and the CIA campus in St. Helena, CA. Please note that any toll-free "800" telephone numbers can only be used in the United States.
Please note: You are responsible for yourself and your family with regard to immigration and visa laws. CIA staff will provide assistance and advisement where possible, but ultimately, you are responsible for knowing and complying with the laws of the United States, your home country, and the laws of the countries to which you travel while you are a CIA student. This includes non-immigrant F-1 visa regulations.
- Things to Do Before Leaving
- Arriving in the United States – San Francisco International Airport
- Arriving in the United States – Oakland International Airport
- Arriving in the United States – Sacramento International Airport
- What Type of Clothing to Bring
- Vacations
- Make sure you have a valid passport with a F-1 visa stamp from a U.S. Embassy. Canadians do need passports but not visas to enter the U.S. They must present Form I-20 A-B and financial documentation at the Canadian/U.S. border.
- Remember to bring the I-20 form.
- Obtain required health insurance.
- Make your housing reservation.
- Read the travel directions to The Culinary Institute of America.
- Have a medical and dental checkup and mail or fax to the CIA proof that you have had the MMR and Hepatitis A immunization.
- If you are staying in a residence hall, be sure to pack sheets, blankets, and a pillow, unless you plan to purchase these items here.
- Be aware that you may not bring any alcoholic beverages, uncooked food, plants or fruit with you. These items will be seized by U.S. customs.
- f you have a valid driver's license, bring it with an official English translation.
The following are driving directions from San Francisco, Oakland, and Sacramento International Airports. Please note that area bridges require a toll.
Arriving in the United States—San Francisco International Airport
Follow 101 North towards San Francisco, the Bay Bridge, and I-80 East (towards Sacramento). Cross the Bay Bridge and go approximately 30 miles to the Carquinez Bridge (toll required). After the bridge, get in the right lane for about 2 miles. Take the Highway 37/Columbus Parkway exit and bear left up the ramp. Go west approximately 2 miles and turn right onto Highway 29 to Napa. Head nothwest on Highway 29 for approximately 30 miles. Highway 29 and Main Street are the same within the city limits of St. Helena. The CIA at Greystone is approximately ¼ mile north of the town of St. Helena on the left.
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Arriving in the United States—Oakland International Airport
Follow Hegenberger Road to I-880 towards downtown Oakland. Go approximately 6 miles and bear right onto ramp for I-980 (California Highway 24, Walnut Creek). Turn right onto ramp for I-580 towards San Francisco. Bear to the left as I-580 turns into I-80 East (Sacramento). Travel towards and cross the Carquinez Bridege (toll required). After the bridge, get in the right lane for about 2 miles. Take the Highway 37/Columbus Parkway exit and bear left up the ramp. Go west approximately 2 miles and turn right onto Highway 29 to napa. head northwest on Highway 29 for approximately 30 miles. Highway 29 and Main Street are the same within the city limits of St. Helena. The CIA at Greystone is approximately ¼ miles north of the town of St. Helena on the left.
Arriving in the United States—Sacramento International Airport
Upon leaving the airport take I-5 towards Woodland. Exit right at Main Street, Woodland, California Highway 113. At the end of the ramp, turn left onto east Main Street. Go approximately ½ mile, and turn left onto the ramp for Highway 113 towards Davis. Travel Highway 113 to I-80 through Fairfield, and bear right to exit at Highway 12 West (Napa and Sonoma). Drive Highway 12 West to Highway 29 and turn right. Travel north on Highway 29 for approximately 25 miles. Highway 29 and Main Street are the same within the city limits of St. Helena. The CIA at Greystone is approximately ¼ mile north of the town of St. Helena on the left.
What Type of Clothing to Bring
The CIA is located in the Napa Valley.The weather is generally mild all year, with the coolest seasons being spring and fall. Summer can be somewhat hot, while in the winter can be rainy. Overall, temperatures are mild in Napa. January is the coldest month, with highs usually in the mid to high 50 degrees F (10 degrees C). Northern California winters are cool and rainy with temperatures in the 30 degrees F and 40 degrees F (-1 degrees C and 4 degrees C). July is the hottest month. While highs can reach in excess of 100 degrees F (38 degrees C), the average daily high in July is around 85 degrees F (29 degrees C). Overall, we enjoy a Mediterranean climate with cool mornings and evenings with warmer temperatures during the day. And by the way, no snow in the winter and very low humidity in the summer.
You should bring appropriate clothing such as a coat, gloves, hat, raincoat, umbrella, windbreaker jacket, waterproof boots, and long-sleeved garments.Casual clothing for everyday wear as well as business-like attire for formal activities is also recommended. You should bring appropriate athletic wear for outside or receational activities. You may also purchase whatever clothing you need in local stores.
The CIA community refers to student vacation periods as winter and summer breaks. The winter break is approximately two weeks long and coincides with the Christmas (December 25) and New Year's Day (January 1) holidays. The summer break is about three weeks in duration and usually takes place in July. Because college-wide maintenance and construction projects are performed during these breaks, all students must vacate their on-campus housing. You should therefore plan alternative living or travel arrangements for these vacation periods.