Hey! I'm going to be in SF this coming month (probably 25th-ish of Oct) — first time in the city since _2006_*.* (oof.) What should I do? Who should I see? Does anyone there host meetups?

I’m not aware of any FoC style meetups here, but there are a couple hackerspaces at least? Noise bridge is one that my friends go to. I’d definitely recommend hanging out at Golden Gate Park and ocean beach. Fort Funston beach is breathtaking too :) I’ll be outta town until the ~28th, otherwise I’d offer to grab coffee and show you some research microscopes!

Thank you! I'd welcome coffee & veggie restaurant recs. Also, recs on good walkable neighbourhoods to book an AirBnB.

You’ll probably want to be near BART to get around. Some of my favorite cute, cozy spots to stay in SF would be glen park (pretty walking trails, cute little shops and stuff), Hayes (by Patricia’s green), or maybe pacific heights. Pac heights is supposedly very expensive, I don’t spend a ton of time there but it’s cute haha

I can offer better advice if you can say more about what kinds of this you like to do in cities. But some generic "SF tourist" advice: • the Sutro Baths are pretty and worth a walk around • best secret view of the city is Tank Hill, de Young viewing tower also good, avoid Twin Peaks • take a Waymo, it's fun • avoid Fisherman's Wharf • Cable Car Museum is free and surprisingly neat • best beach is probably Baker Beach (note: nude at one end; swimming is intermittently dangerous, if you like swimming in frigid waters, go to Aquatic Park instead) • Dolores Park on the weekend is a scene • my favorite "just wander around" neighborhood is Mission/Castro, although I'm biased • good burritos at Papalote (La Taqueria also good, get crispy tacos, but very long lines) • fancier vegetarian dining with nice views: https://www.greensrestaurant.com • do not leave anything in your car unattended, anywhere in the city, even for a short time, even hidden under a seat. • Dandelion Chocolate is touristy but really good chocolate. Bi-Rite Ice Cream has best ice cream around. Tartine has remarkable pastries. There's plenty more where that came from. Happy to answer questions, expound more--just lmk what you want to know.

I'd be happy to organize a UX/PL-oriented meetup the week of Oct 27th. Let me coordinate with folks after UIST next week. Last time we met up with @Kartik Agaram, but decided to meet along BART in SF next time.

At the risk of jinxing myself, I have not had my car broken into in 7 years now of owning one. Also 2007-2009 in the Tenderloin.

@Jasmine Otto Oh! I'm probably leaving on the 26th. I think my free days are 25th and morning of the 26th. (I'll be around on earlier days, but busy with work stuff)

I can do morning of Sat the 25th!

Me too 👍🏽

I'd love to see you both! And anyone else who might be around.

passing on some more coffee spots Sightglass Coffee and Cafe Suspiro in SoMa Coffee Bar Montgomery and Flywheel Coffee downtown Stable Cafe on Folsom in the Mission

(I appreciate these but don't have a great way to evaluate them, so I'll trust the wisdom of the locals and show up wherever they are!)

Since I heard his name mentioned many times in the latest podcast, maybe you’re already aware that this is happening on Oct. 24: Daniel Tempkin’s Book Launch and Signing at Grey Area: https://grayarea.org/event/book-launch-signing-daniel-temkin-forty-four-esolangs/

Oh I should have mentioned that here! I'm going to be at this. Good call, Bart!

Looking forward to Temkin's talk this evening.