Never the same. Always San Francisco. | MEETINGS . 15 UCSF Mission Bay Conference Center MEDICAL/PHARMA MEETING: Take medical industry pros for a walk on San Francisco’s science and technology side. WHERE TO STAY: The South of Market (SOMA) neighborhood is ideally situated near many of the city’s biggest attractions, dining and meeting-friendly hotels. With the new SFMOMA, the beautiful Yerba Buena Gardens, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts and AT&T Park (home of the San Francisco Giants), there’s no shortage of enjoyable amenities just a short walk away. Choose from a variety of excellent accommodations including the elegant Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco, the stylish W San Francisco and the modern InterContinental San Francisco. WHERE TO EAT: Housed in the former mess hall of an iconic 19th-century barrack in the Presidio, The Commissary offers Spanish-influenced California cuisine and craft cocktails in a modern setting featuring high ceilings and historic ambiance. You’re just steps away from The Walt Disney Family Museum, too. Later, enjoy a bottle of Napa-grown wine and fresh seafood near the oversized fireplace at Brick & Beam or head to Eno Wine Bar for an enjoyable, easy-going tasting experience. WHERE TO MEET: Handily located right on the campus of one of the preeminent research hospitals in the world, The Mission Bay Conference Center at UCSF offers 12,500 square feet of meeting space. It’s an event epicenter with top-notch catering, state-of-the-art technology and amenities for every purpose, from presentations to rooftop relaxation, complete with a skyline view. UCSF/SFGH Orthopaedic Trauma Institute also offers smaller rooms for training, meetings and educational courses at their Mission Bay campus. Plan an event that captures the city’s unique appeal. WHERE TO STAY: With its jingling cable cars, historic piers, fun attractions and stunning views of the San Francisco Bay and Golden Gate Bridge, choosing a hotel in Fisherman’s Wharf gives attendees a classic San Francisco experi-ence. Or try the SOMA/Yerba Buena neighborhood for its close proximity to some of the city’s top museums, shopping, the Yerba Buena Gardens and AT&T Park. WHAT TO DO: Architectural buffs have lots of options: the new SFMOMA designed by Snøhetta is a landmark in the Yerba Buena neighborhood. The Legion of Art in Lincoln Park and the Asian Art Museum are known for their classic buildings, and the de Young in Golden Gate Park has its soaring Hamon Tower. WHERE TO MEET: A meeting that hopes to generate new ideas needs an inspiring setting. Give attendees a taste of historic elegance with the walnut and marble accented meeting rooms at the Bently Reserve. This Financial District gem has over nine different meeting spaces, including their Banking Hall with high vaulted ceilings, stone pillars and large chandeliers. Or get creative at the Terra Gallery & Event Venue in the SOMA neighborhood. The multi-floor venue offers customizable spaces that make the perfect canvas for your vision. SFMOMA has also added a number of special event venues to their offerings with the expansion. GETTING AROUND: No transportation says San Francisco like the famous cable cars. While the real deal are limited to their tracks, motorized versions meld practicality with the distinctive character of the city. Yerba Buena Gardens GREAT MEETINGS, SAN FRANCISCO STYLE FROM TOP: Courtesy of UCSF Mission Bay Conference Center; San Francisco Travel Association/Scott Chernis; © Louis Raphael; © Exploratorium Cable car Exploratorium WHAT TO DO: Take the new E Embarcadero streetcar to the Exploratorium and see firsthand how this learning laboratory of more than 600 interactive exhibits and experiences has influenced generations of entrepreneurs and scientists. BEYOND SAN FRANCISCO: Silicon Valley epitomizes the cutting edge of technology. Inspire attendees with tours of some of the world’s top research labs or visit the Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose. For more inspiration, a short trip across the Bay Bridge will take you to the new Berkeley Art Museum & Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA) or Oakland Museum of California. Or head south toward Monterey County for stunning coastline views, wine tasting and world-class golf courses. WHERE TO EAT: For an iconic dining experience, enjoy classic seafood dishes at Tadich Grill, the oldest restaurant in California, or unwind with a champagne brunch and breathtaking ocean views at the historic Cliff House. Off the Grid and its fleet of gourmet food trucks has become a popular alternative to sit-down meals; head to one of their scheduled events, which include sites at Fort Mason Center and in the Presidio — or better yet, they’ll come to you. Mojitos, anyone? sftravel.com
San Francisco Meeting Planner's Guide San Francisco Travel Meeting Planner's Guide: Page 15
