Hi HN'ers, I'm visiting SF for 3 days from May 15th to May 17th. What meetups/cafes/events can I go to to network with VC's, founders, tech people, other awesome companies, etc?
Forget all of that. The most interesting people in tech are largely not in San Francisco (and the ones who you find are loud, while the ones who are interesting you won't find).
Instead: SF is a stellar place to unwind. Do that.
Catch a Giants game. Drink fantastic coffee (Sightglass, Blue Bottle, Epicenter, Four Barrel, Ritual, etc.) Get a Chocolate Shot at Tcho, Ice Cream at Humphry Slocombe, a burrito in the Mission, and Shabu Shabu. Drink a cocktail at Alembic or Comstock. Spend an afternoon peoplewatching in Dolores Park. Shop at the ferry plaza. Walk across the Golden Gate. Take a few days of the best weather that you're going to see for the next 4 months and enjoy it outside.
If you're interested in learning, drop in on some things at Stanford and Berkeley - find interesting talks from people who are doing legit change-the-world research that you can sit in on.
"What meetups/cafes/events can I go to to network"
The goal appears therefore to be to network. Not to do interesting sight seeing things. Nor to meet "interesting people" unless those interesting people are specifically for networking purposes.
Add: How does a three day visit for networking jive with "Catch a Giants game. Drink fantastic coffee".
You can do all that in the city that I live in and in many cities.
I second the above. Also, walk up 24th street to Potrero then on over to the top of Bernal Hill. If you have time you should definitely check out the views from Twin Peaks. Or all the different 100 or so of species(including Redwoods) of trees in Buena Vista Park. You should walk up the Embarcadero near the Bay Bridge side after a Giants Game.
Sutro Ruins near Ocean Beach is pretty cool too. You can easily do all of this in three days.
Yeah, SF's not all about tech. Take the time to explore the reasons why all the tech people wanted to live here in the first place, before there was a startup ecosystem. Access to nature, beautiful location, progressive and accepting attitude etc.
If you can stick around an extra day, Bay To Breakers is happening on Sunday. One of the more quintessentially San Francisco events which you wont find anywhere else in the world.
You'll be missing the startup conference on Wednesday, but the tips page shows what happens the next day, when you are in town:
May 15: Hackers and Founders Meetup at the Hacker Dojo.
May 15: the Founder Showcase is a great event, and even if you can’t attend the afternoon presentations, it’s worth spending $15 for the evening after-party at NASA that looks to be really cool. Registration here, after-party here.
Grab a coffee at Red Rock Cafe in downtown Mountain View, if you are a pennyless entrepreneur working on the next big thing, or at Coupa Cafe in Palo Alto if you think you are ready to pitch VCs. Just sit back and watch…
Someone else mentioned Maker Faire, and I second that. Even if you don't think that kind of thing is "your thing", there's so much there that's genuinely interesting to any inquisitive person that you're bound to find it fun. The only drawback IMO was that it's massive and crazy crowded, so if you're not a fan of large crowds it can get overwhelming.
Also, change your ticket and fly back on Monday so you can experience Bay to Breakers. It's one of the best/most ridiculous events our city has to offer.
Suggest targeting 2-3 individuals, local experts who might be able to help with your business or career goals. Offer to pay for 1 hour of their time for advice & counsel. Most people will be flattered, appreciate the sign of a respect and will waive any fee. Bonus, you'll get some great insights and potentially make a new friend.
I suggest doing some online research and find people / companies that interest you and then cold email them and try to set up meeting a couple of people before you get there and then expand your network from there. Its the best way to go about it. Make friends and then friends of friends. 3 days is a short time so make sure you unwind as well. SF has a lot to offer. (Although if I was in your place i'd have prolly not 'Chilled' out either) xD.
You can message me if you need any other help. I can try and point you in the right direction.
I'd be meeting a friend at Dropbox and later on thursday will be going for Github Drinkup. My main goal for the trip is to see tech community as I just graduated from Hacker School, NY. I'm exploring my career options now.
If the goal is to relax and "absorb" tech culture, I'd go with everyone else's suggestions. Tech-focused cafes include Creamery, SightGlass, Philz, and The Grove in SOMA. If you have a car, driving around Sand Hill (not in SF) and visiting Rosewood will definitely give you the opportunity to tech eves-drop.
If you'd like to meet some real entrepreneurs, engineers, designers, investors in the trenches, download our app (www.weavenow.us). There are thousands of people you can meet in SF if they're also interested in meeting you.
Be safe: My wife and I have been to SF twice. The first time a bar fight spilled out into the street while we were walking to church at 9am on Sunday morning. One of the guys pulled a knife, but someone talked him down before there was any blood spilled.
The second time my wife was about 20' away from a shooting near the convention center.
I am sure its a great city, but I haven't had the best experience there.
I've found the city to be hugely disappointing, but compared to NY and London it is substantially smaller (maybe that's why). There are only ~800,000 people there.
Great!! I will be doing the same between 10th of June and 4th of July. Looking forward to meet with likeminded folks. One of my friends who had done an internship at facebook suggested me to drive towards San Diego, probably there are good views on the way. However what to do depends extremely on your intrinsic purposes.
[+] [-] jowiar|12 years ago|reply
Instead: SF is a stellar place to unwind. Do that.
Catch a Giants game. Drink fantastic coffee (Sightglass, Blue Bottle, Epicenter, Four Barrel, Ritual, etc.) Get a Chocolate Shot at Tcho, Ice Cream at Humphry Slocombe, a burrito in the Mission, and Shabu Shabu. Drink a cocktail at Alembic or Comstock. Spend an afternoon peoplewatching in Dolores Park. Shop at the ferry plaza. Walk across the Golden Gate. Take a few days of the best weather that you're going to see for the next 4 months and enjoy it outside.
If you're interested in learning, drop in on some things at Stanford and Berkeley - find interesting talks from people who are doing legit change-the-world research that you can sit in on.
[+] [-] larrys|12 years ago|reply
"What meetups/cafes/events can I go to to network"
The goal appears therefore to be to network. Not to do interesting sight seeing things. Nor to meet "interesting people" unless those interesting people are specifically for networking purposes.
Add: How does a three day visit for networking jive with "Catch a Giants game. Drink fantastic coffee".
You can do all that in the city that I live in and in many cities.
[+] [-] debt|12 years ago|reply
Sutro Ruins near Ocean Beach is pretty cool too. You can easily do all of this in three days.
[+] [-] tizzdogg|12 years ago|reply
If you can stick around an extra day, Bay To Breakers is happening on Sunday. One of the more quintessentially San Francisco events which you wont find anywhere else in the world.
[+] [-] tsenkov|12 years ago|reply
Also, probably more exotic for foreigners, but the hop-on hop-off bus tours are also quite nice, especially if the weather is OK.
Have fun! :)
[+] [-] angelbar|12 years ago|reply
Also: I remember a "Still untitled" videos (Tested on youtube) that they mentioned some good food places.
[+] [-] stigi|12 years ago|reply
Also get a cinnamon toast at Trouble on Judah St and take a walk on ocean beach.
[+] [-] Macsenour|12 years ago|reply
[+] [-] allochthon|12 years ago|reply
[+] [-] sparkman55|12 years ago|reply
I think the Maker Faire is that weekend, about 20 minutes south of SF in San Mateo, if that kind of hacking is your thing.
[+] [-] colonelxc|12 years ago|reply
This saturday and sunday
[+] [-] paulbaumgart|12 years ago|reply
[+] [-] alain94040|12 years ago|reply
May 15: Hackers and Founders Meetup at the Hacker Dojo.
May 15: the Founder Showcase is a great event, and even if you can’t attend the afternoon presentations, it’s worth spending $15 for the evening after-party at NASA that looks to be really cool. Registration here, after-party here.
Grab a coffee at Red Rock Cafe in downtown Mountain View, if you are a pennyless entrepreneur working on the next big thing, or at Coupa Cafe in Palo Alto if you think you are ready to pitch VCs. Just sit back and watch…
[source] http://thestartupconference.com/tips-for-first-time-attendee...
[+] [-] dougmccune|12 years ago|reply
Also, change your ticket and fly back on Monday so you can experience Bay to Breakers. It's one of the best/most ridiculous events our city has to offer.
[+] [-] NathanKP|12 years ago|reply
https://www.noisebridge.net/
I stopped in on my last visit to SF and it was amazing... So much activity and fun hackerish things going on. You'll love it I'm sure!
[+] [-] paf31|12 years ago|reply
[+] [-] bravura|12 years ago|reply
It's on the 17th and 18th. You'll miss some of it, but you'll get to meet cool people building stuff
[+] [-] jot|12 years ago|reply
[+] [-] JSeymourATL|12 years ago|reply
[+] [-] justuseapen|12 years ago|reply
[+] [-] eksurfus|12 years ago|reply
[+] [-] igaape|12 years ago|reply
[+] [-] idiotb|12 years ago|reply
I'd be meeting a friend at Dropbox and later on thursday will be going for Github Drinkup. My main goal for the trip is to see tech community as I just graduated from Hacker School, NY. I'm exploring my career options now.
[+] [-] zealoustiger|12 years ago|reply
If you'd like to meet some real entrepreneurs, engineers, designers, investors in the trenches, download our app (www.weavenow.us). There are thousands of people you can meet in SF if they're also interested in meeting you.
[+] [-] unknown|12 years ago|reply
[deleted]
[+] [-] bake|12 years ago|reply
Google it before you go, though.
[+] [-] chrisBob|12 years ago|reply
The second time my wife was about 20' away from a shooting near the convention center.
I am sure its a great city, but I haven't had the best experience there.
[+] [-] gonehome|12 years ago|reply
[+] [-] Macsenour|12 years ago|reply
[+] [-] dohertyjf|12 years ago|reply
But yes, since the weather will be nice you should get outside. Rent a bike, go to the GG Bridge, Twin Peaks, etc. It's a beautiful town.
How do I know? I live here and work in FiDi in tech. I've yet to meet a VC at a coffee shop.
[+] [-] PaulMest|12 years ago|reply
You can find more info about this month's event here: http://www.meetup.com/SFRails/events/167606272/
[+] [-] milkers|12 years ago|reply
[+] [-] 3stripe|12 years ago|reply
(He says with mild surprise from London)
[+] [-] scott_karana|12 years ago|reply