Grace Lau
While you’re in San Francisco for Google Next, it can be tempting to just immerse yourself in the tech world. After all, you can barely pull open the latest scooter-hailing app without running into a hot new startup’s HQ or overhearing an enthusiastic founder describing their latest round of VC funding.
But there’s so much more to see and explore in the City by the Bay—spectacular sports stadiums, cutting-edge culinary creations, museums that double as hip hangouts by night—and most of it is only a short walk away from Moscone Center, where the conference is based.
Whether you’re flying solo, coming with a coworker or two, or tagging along with your whole team, you’ll want to play tourist (at least for a little bit). Here are some fun San Francisco events to keep your social calendar full and make your trip memorable!
The NEXT Best Happy Hour
We’re teaming up with Cloudbakers, BetterCloud, LumApps, Spanning, Okta, and AODocs to put on a happy hour at Executive Order, a historical—and classy—lounge and bar. Put on your drinking pants and come down a cold one (or a fancy cocktail, if that’s more your style) on us!
DATE: April 9
TIME: 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
PLACE: 868 Mission St
Keep on (food) truckin’
Can’t decide what you want for lunch? Head over to 5th & Minna for the Off The Grid food truck gathering. There’s a rotating roster of vendors, but you’re likely to find everything from Korean and Filipino fusion to cheesesteaks and burgers. Bring your appetite—and a friend. Lines can get long during peak hours, so be prepared for a bit of a wait.
DATE: April 10
TIME: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
PLACE: 410 Minna St
Mo’ fun at MoMA
On Thursday night, SF MoMA—and most other San Francisco museums—stay open late and welcome the 21-and-over crowd with special programming. (There's a pop art and minimalism exhibition that looks pretty rad.)
DATE: April 9-11
TIME: Until 9 PM
PLACE: 151 3rd St
Explore the Exploratorium
The Exploratorium hosts the After Dark event every Thursday, with extended opening hours, adult beverages, and educational programming to answer all your burning scientific questions. There are over 650 interactive exhibits, so you know, just in case you don't learn enough at Google NEXT during the day...
DATE: April 11
TIME: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
PLACE: Pier 15
Magic School Bus, but for adults
Make the trek to Golden Gate Park to attend NightLife at Cal Academy. Not only can you make new friends and learn something new about our wild and mysterious world, there's also an open bar and snacks in your own cocktail area before the actual tour. And did we mention you get VIP access to the Rainforests of the World exhibit and a reserved pass for the 8:30 PM Planetarium show? Our inner geeks are flailing.
DATE: April 11
TIME: 6:00 PM – 10 PM
PLACE: 55 Music Concourse Drive
Tattoo cool for school
Got a thing for ink? Saunter over to The Contemporary Jewish Museum and learn about the origins of American Tattoo and "Lew the Jew," one of the most influential artists tattooing in NYC’s Bowery at the beginning of the twentieth century.
DATE: April 9-11
TIME: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
PLACE: 736 Mission St
Take me out to the ballgame
Fancy a hot dog and some garlic fries with a breathtaking view of the Bay? (We’re also told that there will be baseball!) Catch the Giants vs. Padres game at AT&T Park—grab your tickets here
DATE: April 9
TIME: 6:45 PM
PLACE: 24 Willie Mays Plaza
