Dreamforce 2019 - A Guide to San Francisco
over 3 years ago by Nick Guy
If you’re a first-timer at Dreamforce, or even perhaps San Francisco, here is our guide on where to eat, the weather and how to get around.
Getting Around
Pretty easy to navigate and goes all over the city, Muni buses and Muni rail are great for travelling around during the day.
**PRO TIP – buy yourself a Clipper card. It’s the all-in-one transit card for the Bay Area and can be used on ALL public transport. Or, download the MuniMobile app (App Store/ Google Play) – which lets you buy tickets instantly through credit/debit card, PayPal, Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Uber/Lyft
Although pricier, it is worthwhile having these apps to hand, especially if travelling at night when Muni is not as frequent.
Weather
The best advice we can give – pack layers! November can be quite warm but temperatures can drop considerably at night. The weather can also change suddenly, and if the fog rolls in, that’s when it REALLY gets fun!
Comfortable shoes are a MUST. Not only will you be walking miles at Dreamforce itself, but the SF hills are not for the faint-hearted.
If you’re really stuck, check out Salesforce’s guide on what to wear.
Where to Eat
Like most cities, in San Francisco, you will find pretty much ALL of your hankerings and food cravings catered for. Here is our selection of some of the best food establishments.
A modern take on Chinese classics – probably the best way to describe the food at Mister Jui’s. Not only is the food spectacular, so too is its setting, overlooking San Francisco’s Chinatown.
Relaxed and simple food - but cooked to perfection – Nopa has redefined the meaning of a “classic SF restaurant”. Open until late, you can even hit this place after a few bars and enjoy one of their renowned burgers!
For some of the best pasta in the city, look no further. We’d recommend planning ahead of time as this place gets super busy. If you don’t have a reservation, you may find yourself queuing at 4:30 in the afternoon.
Opening hours - Monday-Saturday 5:30 – 11pm. Sunday 5:30- 11pm
Here, you’ll find some of the best dim sum and dumplings in San Francisco. Yank Sing is perfect for a working lunch and just a few blocks from Moscone – you do not want to miss this place!
Opening hours – Monday-Friday 11:00am – 3pm. Saturday, Sunday & Holidays 10:00am – 4:00pm
With breath-taking views of the Bay Bridge from the Ferry Building, and some of the freshest jewels from the sea, straight from Hog Island Oyster Farm – try to head here for lunch if possible!
Arguably the best burger in San Francisco! Need we say more?
Opening times – Lunch - Mon-Fri: 11:30am-2:30pm. Bar Menu - 2:30pm-5:00pm.
Dinner - Sun-Wed: 5:00pm-10:00pm. Thu-Sat: 5:00pm-11:00pm
Brunch - Sat-Sun: 10:00am-2:30pm
Nestled in San Francisco's SOMA district, there really is something for everyone here! Delicious salads, thin crust, oven-baked pizza and other Italian favourites. Perfect for a quick bite, dinner with colleagues and everything in between.
El Castillito
Mission-style burritos at their best! As well as burritos, this no-frills Mexican place in Castro serves up carnitas and other favourites.
Opening times – 10am – 11:45pm, every day.
Where – 136 Church St #1111, San Francisco, CA 94114
With 4 locations across the City, you will never be too far away from sampling some of The Grove’s comfort food. Serving breakfast, light snacks and main dinners – The Grove is a great all-rounder, any time of day.
A cosy and charming sushi restaurant - this place serves a wide range of delicious and fresh sushi. Due to its size and popularity, this place can get pretty busy.
Where to Drink
Some of the below also have restaurants so you could make a night of it without having to move too far!
Breweries
If you like sampling the local brews, here are 3 of the best in SF!
563 2nd St, San Francisco, CA 94107
Monday – Saturday 11:30 am to 12:00 am. Sunday 10:00am to 12:00am
544 Bryant St, San Francisco, CA 94107
Monday - Thursday: 12pm to 11pm. Friday – Saturday: 12pm to 12am. Sunday: 12pm – 10pm
69 Bluxhome St, San Francisco, CA 94107
Sunday – Monday: 2pm – 8pm. Tuesday – Saturday: 2pm – 10pm
Bars near to Moscone
If you don’t want to venture too far from Dreamforce, here are some great bars, within only a few blocks of Moscone.
85 5th St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Monday – Thursday: 11am – 10pm. Friday: 11am – 11pm. Saturday: 10am – 11pm. Sunday: 10am – 10pm
20 Yerba Buena Lane, San Francisco, CA 94103
Monday-Thursday: 4pm - 10pm. Friday: 2pm - 12am. Saturday: 4pm - 12am. Sunday: 4pm - 8pm
Dirty Habit (this place also has a rooftop bar to take in the SF skyline)
12 Fourth Street, San Francisco, California 94103
Monday – Saturday: 5pm – 11pm
780 Mission Street, San Francisco, California 94103 USA
Open 4pm – 12am, every day.
691 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
Monday - Thursday: 5pm – 2am. Friday: 4:30pm – 2am. Saturday: 7pm – 2am. Sunday: Closed.
685 4th Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
Monday – Friday: 6:30am – 8:00pm. Saturday: 7:00am – 4:00pm. Sunday: 7:00am – 4:00pm
Other Cool Bars in the City
20 Cosmo Place, San Francisco, CA 94109
Opens at 5pm, daily
501 Jones St, San Francisco, CA 94102
Open 6pm – 2am, daily.
19th Floor, 999 California St, San Francisco, CA 94108
Monday – Thursday: 4:30pm – 11:30pm. Friday – Saturday: 4:30pm – 12:30am. Sunday: 4:30pm – 10:00pm
659 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133
Monday – Thursday: 11am - 10pm. Friday – Sunday: 11am – 11pm
255 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133
Open 8am – 2am, daily
56 Gold St, San Francisco, CA 94133
Opens Monday – Thursday: 4:30pm. Friday – Saturday: 5:30pm
Good for Music
Like some music to accompany your evening drinks? Check Tupelo or The Saloon out!
1337 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133
Monday – Wednesday: 5pm – 2am. Thursday – Friday: 1pm – 2am. Saturday – Sunday: 10am – 2am
1232 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133
Open 12:00pm – 1:30am, daily
Getting Outdoors
If you want to get some fresh air, San Francisco has some lovely and lush parks and POPOS (Privately Owned Public Outdoor Spaces) for you to enjoy – some just a stone's throw from Moscone.