Things to do in San Francisco while at Dreamforce…

Coming to San Francisco for the first time at Dreamforce and not sure how to plan your free time? This year we have an unprecedented number of nonprofit and higher education registrants from overseas, so we wanted to put together some information to make your stay even more enjoyable.

San Francisco oozes charm and culture and if you’re coming from a far, it won’t take long to find a street or coffee shop that reminds you of home!

San Francisco Sights:

Union Square: If you’re into browsing galleries or need to pick up a few gifts for home, then head to Union Square, one of San Francisco’s most loved retail and cultural quarters. Here you’ll find one of the largest collections of retail stores, department stores, boutiques, tourist shops, art galleries, and salons in the Western United States.

Lombard Street: Lombard Street is an iconic San Francisco landmark, and no visit to the city is complete without checking it out! You’ve probably seen the ‘Crookedest Street in the World’ in photos and postcards, but seeing it for real is definitely worth the effort. Tip – don’t forget your camera!

Golden Gate Park: Over 13 million visitors go through the gates of Golden Gate Park each year. Famous for its natural beauty and countless attractions, Golden Gate Park offers something for every type of visitor. Through 1,017 acres you’ll discover gardens, playgrounds, lakes, picnic groves, trails, and monuments, plus an array of cultural venues, events, and activities.

Alcatraz: While touristy, the ‘Rock’ is still a great day trip in San Francisco. The tour not only allows you to walk in the footsteps of all who served their time in Alcatraz, but it also gives you unparallel views of the bay. Tip – Go at night and enjoy the twinkling bridge to bridge views.

Great Coffee in San Francisco

If all that sightseeing gets you thirsty, don’t despair! There are so many good coffee shops in San Francisco you’ll be spoilt for choice. Our favorite is Philz Coffee Dynamo Bake Shop which serves the best donuts in the city, hands down. Ask the friendly staff about their daily brew – it’s sure to be good!

A really good list of coffee shops around San Francisco can be found here, on the Thrillist website.

Eating out in the City

Like its coffee shops, San Francisco also has a bustling restaurant scene. Whether it’s a cheap eat, or a fine dining experience you’re after, you won’t have to look far.

Here are some we think will rock your boat:

Zero Zero is an upscale pizza restaurant that won’t disappoint. Its signature pizzas named after San Francisco streets can be enjoyed alongside a great selection of wine and local microbrews.

SPQR offers some of the best Italian food in San Francisco. Enjoy the flavorsome pastas and great wine list!

The Cliff House is a must if it’s you’re first time in the city. Perched on the cliffs just north of Ocean Bay this 120 year old building offers a unique dining experience. You have to try the San Francisco Cioppino, the chefs take on the local seafood stew!

Tipsy Pig is a Gastropub conveniently located on Chestnut St. This place gets busy but is definitely worth it, particularly for its brunch menu, served with a choice of over 40 local and international brews.

Mission Chinese donates $0.79 from each main course to SF Marin Food Bank. This gives them a thumbs-up in our eyes! Its authentic take on Chinese food makes it fun for the palette too!

Nopalitos is a colourful Mexican restaurant that offers seriously tasty locally sourced organic food. There’s sure to be a queue so call ahead and get your name on the wait list.

So that makes up our little guide to the city, we hope you found it useful. There’ll be plenty more information about getting around the city during Dreamforce in the coming weeks.

Dreamforce ‘14 is happening in San Francisco from 13-16th October. It’s not too late to register. Use code: NP30014* to lock in your $300 Salesforce.org rate.

 

*The Salesforce.org discounted rate is ONLY available if you are a full-time employee of an organization recognized as a charitable or nonprofit organization in the country in which you are located. All registrations utilizing this discounted rate will be subject to verification.