Things to See in SF on Business

The City by the Bay is a beautiful place to live and explore. If you are coming to town for Share15, we know that you are going to have plenty to do between September 21 and 23. If you want to take advantage of the opportunity and see all that San Francisco has to offer during the rest of the week, however, we have some ideas in mind.

Exciting events around the same time

There is always something going on in San Francisco, and the week of Share is no different. Here are a few that sounded interesting.

September 19-20 The San Francisco International Dragon Boat Festival

This festival at Treasure Island will feature about 100 dragon boat teams and over 2,000 paddlers racing a 500-meter course. The festival also offers other types of entertainment and children’s activities.

September 19-20 Autumn Moon Festival

On Grant Ave between California and Pacific Streets you will find a variety of different types of entertainment. This will include incredible cultural opportunities such as traditional lion and dragon dances, numerous children’s activities, a lantern village, arts and crafts and more.

September 20 Comedy Day

Sharon Meadow at the Golden Gate Park will host this event with over 30 of the area’s best comedians. Best of all, it will be free!

September 24 San Francisco Symphony’s Opening Night Gala

If you enjoy the symphony then consider celebrating the acclaimed San Francisco Symphony with the opening night gala.

Other fantastic things to do

Of course, you are not limited to the week’s festivals. There are also countless attractions that make San Francisco incredible whether you have lived here for decades or it is your first time to the city. Consider touring:

Union Square – Step one step out of the Westin St. Francis, home of Share15, and you’ll be in San Francisco’s famous Union Square outdoor shopping area. Indulge in a variety of brand-named stores as well as local boutique shops where you’ll find one-of-a-kind mementos to take back with you.

Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf – This is the place to go for shopping, dining and a variety of attractions, and entertainment. The main cable car lines end and turn around here. You will get to see amazing views of the ships, wildlife, the Bay as well as Alcatraz Island and the famous bridges.

The Golden Gate Bridge – This is listed as one of the seven wonders of the modern world and might be one of the most recognized landmarks around. It took four years to build and stretches for 1.7 miles. You can cross the bridge on foot on the sidewalks during the day and see the incredible view of the Marin Headlands, the Bay and the city skyline. On the opposite side of the bridge is one of the most picturesque vista points in the world.

Golden Gate Park – Golden Gate Park is one of the largest urban parks in the world. It is located on the western side of the city and is over 1,000 acres. There are museums, gardens, and ample areas to just walk, relax and enjoy the city.

Chinatown – This is a vibrant community full of vivid sites, delicious Chinese food and great shopping and souvenirs. Chinatown is just a short walk from the Westin St. Francis, the Share15 venue.

Japantown – San Franciso’s Japantown is built around a large shopping plaza and has cultural activities and dozens of Japanese restaurants.

California Academy of Sciences – You will be able to explore an awesome aquarium, planetarium, and natural history museum in one spot. If that is not enough to entice you, what about the four-story living rainforest? This is an incredible place to visit whether you consider yourself a science person or not.

Take a Tour of Alcatraz – Everyone has heard of the famed prison island, and now you will have the chance to explore it in person. See where notorious criminals, like Al Capone, the Birdman of Alcatraz, and James “Whitey” Bulger served time.

Ride a Cable Car – If this is not on your bu cket list, it should be. San Francisco is famous for its cable cars, as it is the last manually operated trolley system. There are three lines remaining from the original system that dates back to the end of the 19th century.

Hike on Angel Island – Take a ferry boat and visit Angel Island for some stunning views of the Bay Area and excellent hiking. The island has served multiple purposes over the years, including processing immigrants, detaining POWs during WWII, and serving as a cattle ranch.

Muir Woods – Considered a national monument and a natural cathedral, Muir Woods offers you an unparalleled look at protected old-growth redwoods, some of the rarest and tallest trees in the world. It is also not far from beaches and campgrounds if you want to get more in touch with nature.

Segway Tours – Segway tours run throughout the city and can take you from Golden Gate Park to Chinatown to the Wharf and Waterfront. Hop on board and see all that the city has to offer.

Salmon fishing in the Pacific – Did you know that the San Francisco area is an excellent place for some salmon fishing? You can take a boat from Fisherman’s Wharf out towards the Farallon Islands and throw your line in and give it your best shot.

Whale watching – take a boat out from the bay and you can see if you can see any of these majestic creatures in person.

Helicopter tours – See the entire city from a bird’s eye by taking a helicopter tour. Different tours can take you over the famous landmarks and let you see the city from an entirely new angle.

Visit Silicon Valley – Where else can you see so many major players in the digital ecosystem? Drive by Apple, Google, Facebook, Cisco, Yahoo, Oracle, HP, LinkedIn, Netflix, and eBay, just to name a few.

Stanford University – One of the best schools in the country is right down the road, so consider looking around the gorgeous campus and exploring the famous Palo Alto area.

See the World Champion SF Giants play at AT&T Park – Are you a sports fan? Then catching a Giants game might be the perfect addition to your San Francisco trip. The Giants play at home the weekend before Share.

Get something to eat – San Francisco is known for having a wealth of options for a fantastic dining experience. Some of the highest rated restaurants in and around the city include:

• Benu – ‘new American’ cuisine
• Acquerello – Italian cuisine
• Gary Danko – contemporary American
• Quince – Italian and French cuisine
• Atelier Crenn – French cuisine
• Baume – French cuisine

Napa and Sonoma Wine Country – Just 1 hour by car north of San Francisco Napa and Sonoma Wine Countries await. See the vineyards, taste some of the world’s best wine at over 300 vineyards and tasting rooms.

The inside scoop

Perhaps you have heard of the famous San Francisco fog? September in San Francisco is usually fantastic, but it cools down at night, so you might want a light coat, especially if you plan on walking around at night.

San Francisco is the home of Uber and Lyft, so it’s always easy to get a car.

Finally, if you are interested in really seeing the city, we know many tourists who have loved getting the Citypass . It is a great way to get admission to some of the most popular attractions as well as passes for the MUNI and the cable car. It gives you access to great things, like the California Academy of Sciences, the Aquarium of the Bay, and more.

We cannot wait to see everyone in just a few weeks for Share15. If you are coming in from out of town, like many of our 1000+ attendees, then we really recommend you take the time to explore our city. There is always something new to see and do in the area!

If you have not registered yet for the conference then we invite you to visit our conference page and sign up. It is the perfect excuse to come see the City by the Bay.

Conference Details
September 21-23
Westin St. Francis
San Francisco, CA