San Francisco—with its European charm and world-class attractions—features a veritable mosaic of cultural, culinary, and outdoor activities that beckons visitors to get out and experience the city, and there’s never been a better time for Clinical Congress attendees to meet in the Golden Gate City.
ACS Clinical Congress 2024 will take place Saturday, October 19, through Tuesday, October 22, at the Moscone Convention Center, which is located in the South of Market (SoMa) neighborhood. Near the Moscone Center, attendees can visit the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts and the Yerba Buena Gardens with a carousel, ice rink, and bowling alley available for public use.
Several Internationally renowned museums also are conveniently located near the Moscone Center, including the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Museum of the African Diaspora, Contemporary Jewish Museum, and the Children’s Creativity Museum.
Eats and Entertainment
SoMa is home to several enticing restaurant and beverage options—from affordable and casual fare to fine dining and everything in between (local brewpub anyone?). For small group outings, consider Trace Restaurant (American); Marlowe (American); Mourad (Moroccan with a twist); Astra (fine dining in the St. Regis hotel); and 21st Amendment Brewery (pub food). Or consider dining in Chinatown—the oldest Chinatown in North America—which, like SoMa, is located in the downtown area with restaurants serving dim sum, Sichuan, Cantonese, and other delicious menu options.
If you feel like venturing beyond the downtown area for dinner, you’re in luck because San Francisco is an epicurean’s delight. Wander over to North Beach (not a sandy beach, despite its moniker, but an outer San Fran neighborhood) and experience an area rich in Italian heritage with eateries serving classic pasta dishes, pizza, and cannoli. While in the neighborhood, some of the more adventure-inclined visitors can check out the famed Coit Tower—the 210-foot structure overlooking the city and the bay.
If you’re in the mood to celebrate, your options range from the iconic to the newly discovered. The nearly 80-year-old Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar at the Fairmont San Francisco is the granddaddy of all Polynesian-themed tiki bars, while the Starlite is the new nightlife hot spot situated atop the Beacon Grand, formerly the Sir Frances Drake Hotel.
Best Things to Do
Beyond indulging in San Francisco’s culinary and beverage scenes, visitors will enjoy experiencing some of the City by the Bay’s quintessential attractions—and here are some insider tips to help you get the most out of your visit:
One of the seven wonders of the modern world, visitors can walk, bike, or drive across the 1.7 mile Golden Gate Bridge and experience breathtaking views. Take a tour of Alcatraz, the former prison-turned-national park, and hear riveting stories about the island’s residents and history. Climb aboard a cable car (7:00 am– 11:00 pm daily; single-tickets are $8.00)—part of the world’s last manually operated cable car system—and ride it to Fisherman’s Wharf to enjoy outdoor dining, visit the Aquarium of the Bay (Pier 39), or get a tasty snack at one of the three chocolate shops in Ghirardelli Square.
Traveling with the family? Fisherman’s Wharf bills itself as “the most family-oriented place in San Francisco,” with the highest concentration of activities geared toward children and families.
If you’re in the mood for a more subdued, sublime iconic San Fran experience, take a leisurely stroll by the Painted Ladies. The vibrant, pastel-colored Victorian homes, located along the eastern side of Alamo Square Park, are one of the most Instagram-able sights in San Francisco. Or pop over to the Golden Gate Park—the third most visited part in the US—and explore the Japanese Tea Garden, the California Academy of Sciences, or the de Young Museum, which is home to American art from the 17th century through today.
However you choose to spend your free time in San Francisco, you’re sure to have an unforgettable experience. From touring Alcatraz to throwing back a Mai Tai at an 80-year old tiki bar, the City by the Bay provides a welcoming environment for all Clinical Congress attendees and their families.
To learn more about San Francisco, check out the tourism information curated by the San Francisco Travel Association.
