Ask HN: I'm in SF for the next 2 days and want to geek out. What should I do?

[LarryMade2]

If you’ve never been to one, pick a Fry's Electronics store to visit... in fact check out several, most have themes (some better than others) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fry%27s_Electronics

Electonics Surplus Shops - HSC Electronic Supply, Weird Stuff, (there are others others)

Pacific Pinball Museum in Alameda - http://pacificpinball.org/

Musee Mechanique at Pier 45 in San Francisco - http://museemecaniquesf.com/ great collection of old arcade games and nickelodeons

Exploratorium Pier 15 - http://www.exploratorium.edu/

San Francisco Cablecar Museum , free enjoyable and an adventure to find - http://www.cablecarmuseum.org/

Bonus photo-op view - Hyde & Lombard Street - (top of the twisty street) you can catch a snap of a cresting cablecar set against a great view of Alcatraz. If there arent too many gawkers in the way - might want to go to the next street lower on hyde to get the pic.

Cartoon Art Museum - http://cartoonart.org

Some great Japanese (toys, Manga, food, Books, etc.) shops in Japan town in SF (Geary & Filmore)

Collect old magazines? The Magazine in the Ternderloin (kinda seedy but if you are into collecting old mags a place to check)

San Francisco Public Library - besides the massive computer section, a library card will get you access to their e-books when not in SF

Check out SV book stores their computer sections are usually well stocked and up-to-date

Makerspaces (someone post suggestions)

Ripley's Odditorium at fisherman's wharf - kinda pricey but fun if you like weird - dont buy the maze pass, it's a rip-off.

Walk the Golden Gate Bridge - up close and personal with a great engineering marvel for the cost of a city bus to get there.

[improv32]

This is exactly what I was looking for, thanks :)

[timthorn]

Intel Museum, Computer History Museum, Apple store on Infinite Loop, Lick Observatory, and (of course) Fry's.

[schoen]

Also Exploratorium, Chabot Space & Science Center.

Unfortunately I think there are currently no public tours of SLAC or LBL (or NERSC).

[lamina]

If you like museums, the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park is a great place to spend a day. It's also right by the De Young Art Museum, which is also a lot of fun. If you're looking for something more interactive, check out the Exploratorium. It's slightly geared towards younger audiences, but it's a lot of fun regardless.

[runamok]

Maybe the tech shop in SF too. Go on meetup.com as there are always tons of events/talks on different topics. Search for your preferred language, platform, db, etc. Amazon Aws pop-up loft often has events.