San Francisco

San Francisco is home to a little bit of everything. Whether you’re a first time visitor or a long-time local, San Francisco’s Golden Gates welcome all. From visiting Alcatraz—a former prison turned into a National Park—to visiting Fisherman’s Wharf offering fishing boats, sea lions basking in the sun, seafood stalls and restaurants, steaming crab cauldrons, family entertainment, and sourdough French bread bakeries, your itinerary will always be packed. Stroll through the streets and experience some amazing shopping, experience restaurants for every palate, and partake of San Francisco’s art scene, which has something great for everyone. Culture and cocktails, a DJ twin spin or a jazz solo — nighttime is the right time to discover that there’s a fresh approach to everything here when it comes to new ways to have fun.

San Francisco is also home to the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge. Once called “the bridge that couldn’t be built,” today it is one the seven wonders of the modern world. This magnificent span, perhaps San Francisco’s most famous landmark, opened in 1937 after a four-year struggle against relentless winds, fog, rock, and treacherous tides.

If there’s one trait that best defines San Francisco, it is diversity. Attendees can explore the city’s many unique neighborhoods, discover its historic and thriving community, and visit world-renowned art and cultural institutions. It’s all set among some of the most beautiful scenery in the nation, with the city’s natural and man-made landmarks all around you. San Francisco’s welcoming people, its unbeatable food scene, and its endless activities regularly lead to record-breaking meeting attendance.

Think of the best cities in the United States to visit. San Francisco inevitably comes to mind for meeting planners, and it will for conference attendees, too.

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) offers non-stop flights to more than 39 international destinations on 30 international carriers. The Bay Area’s largest airport connects nonstop with 77 cities in the U.S. on 13 domestic airlines. Located just 14 miles south of the city, it is directly connected to downtown San Francisco by Bay Area Rapid Transport (BART).

Once you’ve arrived, get out those walking shoes because San Francisco is ranked as one of the top walking cities in the U.S. Located just off I-80 and blocks from Union Square, the Moscone Center is about as central as it gets in San Francisco’s seven-by-seven grid. It’s walking distance to hotels, restaurants, museums, attractions, public transit, and more. Scheduled for completion in 2018, the Moscone Expansion will add more than 170,000 gross square feet of flexible meeting space to the Center, including a 50,000-square-foot ballroom. It will also add an enclosed pedestrian bridge connecting the North and South buildings above Howard Street.

Whether visiting for work or for play, San Francisco offers a little something for everyone!

Weather:
San Francisco’s climate is, if nothing else, dependably changeable. Temperatures and conditions change literally by the hour and can differ markedly from one part of the city to the other. Yet overall, the City by the Bay enjoys an eternally spring-like climate. Temperatures beside the Golden Gate average 54-65 degrees Fahrenheit (12-18 Celsius) in summer, 48-59 degrees (8-14 C) in winter. San Francisco residents save on wardrobe costs because the same clothes suffice year round — knits, light wools, long sleeves, and pants.

In June, July, and August, days usually start in fog, catching many vacationers off guard. Sweatshirts replace tee shirts as the souvenir of choice in popular tourist areas like Fisherman’s Wharf. By noon, the city is basking in bright sunlight. The fog returns just in time to put on a show during the cocktail and dinner hours as it curls over the tops of landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, Coit Tower, and the Transamerica Pyramid. No extra charge for the entertainment!

Fall is the warmest season. The days of Indian Summer are in the upper 60’s F (15 C). The occasional arrival of 80 F (26 C) temperatures draws residents from their homes to bask at the city’s many parks and beaches.