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RSAC Survival Guide – Part 3 of 3: Surviving San Francisco

by | May 2, 2024 | Core Functions, Events, Industry Dynamics | 0 comments

Surviving San Francisco!

Let’s face it, it’s not cheap to visit or live in San Fran (SF), so if you get the chance to attend, I think it’s worth carving out some time for yourself to explore the area. Sure, SF has seen a decline in safety over the years. But the city does a pretty good job of cleaning up and making sure the area around the Moscone Center is conference-ready for the 40,000+ attendees to RSAC. Besides, there’s much more to see than just the halls and city blocks around the Moscone Center!

On my bike ride to the Golden Gate Bridge – it’s a beautiful part of the country!

I’ve found the best way to explore San Fran during the conference without extending your stay is by renting an e-bike. I usually rent an e-bike and ride it out to the Golden Gate Bridge, which is a very beautiful area. You don’t have to stay indoors the whole event without getting to see some of the beautiful sights that the Bay Area has to offer. It’s highly feasible to get outside, even if just for a few hours.

Riding across the bridge and experiencing dense fog was a cool experience.

One year I rode a bike to Pier 39 and ate a whole Dungeness Crab while looking at the bay. It was a way for me to personally take a break from the chaos. I enjoyed it so much that I bought another one, had it wrapped, and brought it home as a gift for my wife. On the flight, the ice melted and leaked all over my bag, so I walked into the house smelling of seafood and it turned out to be not such a great gift! The hero returns 🙂. It was still worth it. 

I always like to visit the Crab House or another restaurant to get a whole dungenness crab.

And if you’re really adventurous and can extend your stay into the weekend after the conference, rent a car and visit Yosemite National Park. Yosemite is one of those trips I think everyone should make once – I’ve done it twice. It’s a lifelong memory and experience. For the brave, you might even be able to squeeze in a drive down to Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks which isn’t terribly far from Yosemite. 

Yosemite is a beautiful National Park within driving distance of San Fran.

Finally, check an event ticket vendor like Vivid Seats to see what’s going on in the area. You might buy a ticket to a SF Giants baseball game, or Warriors basketball game. One year, I went with a colleague to a Warriors game and saw the championship team of Curry, Durant, Klay, and Draymond in person. It was awesome. I’m still in pain because of the cost of my ticket, but it’s one of those rare opportunities that being there offered. You can also check for concerts, shows, or anything else you’re interested in. Give it a try. 

While tickets aren’t cheap, a trip to watch the Warriors championship team was a bucket list item for me.

Conclusion

RSAC is what you make of it and it’s a massive learning opportunity. Making the most of every minute on the ground will leave you with a more rewarding experience. Handling your demos and theater talks gets easier over time and there’s really nothing to be nervous about. While I won’t blame you for hiding out in your room because of how exhausting the experience can be, I recommend walking in with a plan and leaving some time for yourself to get outside and have some fun.

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