Attending Dreamforce? Come for the AI, stay for the burritos

Dreamforce is once again upon us — October 14–16, to be exact. Salesforce’s annual conference features three days of keynote speakers, showcases, hands-on learning experiences, and networking opportunities with thousands of AI, CRM, and data experts from around the world. 

Of note at Dreamforce

The theme for this year’s conference is going beyond the AI hype. You can choose from more than 1,500 sessions given by 115-plus presenters.

Naturally, we think you should attend Forms That Close Deals: A Hidden Edge for Salesforce Experts. Presented by Chad Reid, Jotform’s very own VP of marketing, this session will be packed with insider tips. Learn how top Salesforce pros use smart forms to streamline workflows, capture better data, and close deals faster. You can also visit the Jotform booth in the Expo Hall.

The big Dreamforce celebration, Dreamfest Concert for UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals, is on Wednesday, October 15, at the Chase Center. The concert will feature Metallica and Benson Boone. 

But what about the rest of the week? How are you going to roll? All business? 💼 Let’s party? 🍸 It’s a mini-vacation? 🌅

Dreamforce 2025 is happening at Moscone Center in San Francisco’s SoMa neighborhood, but no matter where you stay during the conference, there’s no shortage of world-class bars, restaurants, museums, and cultural experiences waiting for you.

Give me culture

You want museums? San Francisco’s got ’em. Just a stone’s throw from Dreamforce, you’ll find both the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (which is free on Wednesdays).

In the Civic Center area, visit the Asian Art Museum. For those unafraid of traveling further afield, go to Golden Gate Park to explore the de Young Museum and the California Academy of Sciences, which features Nightlife on Thursdays. 

Head to the Exploratorium at Pier 15 to find your inner child. Like many of the city’s other museums, the Exploratorium offers a Thursday night experience: After Dark

Not a museum but full of culture, Unstaged, a free, interactive arts and music festival, happens on the third Thursday of each month, which happily falls during Dreamforce. There very well may be spontaneous dancing to bands playing along Market Street.

Get me outside

October brings lots of sunshine to San Francisco, making it the ideal time for a stroll along the Embarcadero. Take in San Francisco’s scenic waterfront and hop on a cruise around the bay. Sign up for a sunset cruise to see the city from the Embarcadero, all the way to the Golden Gate Bridge. 

Take a cable car from Downtown or Union Square to Chinatown, one of San Francisco’s most famous neighborhoods. While there, book a walking food tour.

Chinatown, Lanterns, Chinese image
Image by chris18769 from Pixabay

Head over to the Castro, San Francisco’s famous gayborhood, to see the Castro Theatre’s neon sign. Make a side trip to Alamo Square park for the iconic Painted Ladies. And enjoy the mural walk in the Mission.

For flora and fauna, check out the Botanical Garden in Golden Gate Park. You can also take a walk or a GoCar tour through the park. Looking for views of the Golden Gate Bridge? Check out the many hiking trails in the Presidio.

Golden gate bridge, Bridge, Nature image
Image by Alexey Komissarov from Pixabay

If your time is limited, Salesforce Park, a 5.4-acre, elevated urban park, is just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Moscone Center.

I’m all about the food and drink

No visit to San Francisco is complete without a trip to North Beach. Grab a pie at the world-renowned Tony’s Pizza Napoletana, followed by some espresso and gelato at one of the dozens of Italian cafes in the neighborhood. Try the original Irish Coffee at the Buena Vista Cafe. Stop by Tosca Cafe for the famous meatballs and boozy, Prohibition-era hot chocolate.

Also in North Beach, hang like the Beats at Vesuvio Cafe. Next door to City Lights Bookstore, this was an iconic spot for writers like Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, and the rest of the Beat scene.

Another must: Get a Mission style burrito at one of the many authentic taquerias in the Mission. Seriously, don’t skip this!

Take a walk to the Financial District and grab a bite at Tadich Grill, the oldest continuously run restaurant in California. Get a drink at the Old Ship Saloon. Established in 1851, it’s one of the oldest bars in the city.

If you’re in Chinatown, eat at House of Nanking or the Michelin-starred Mister Jiu’s. Then sip on Mai Tais at Li Po Cocktail Lounge. 

Visit the Ferry Building on the Embarcadero. Check out the artisan vendors and Farmer’s Market. Treat yourself to a guided food tour on Thursday.

Last but not least, get a (naughty) sweet treat at Hot Cookie in the Castro. 

Can I spin a wheel or pick an activity from a hat?

It’s San Francisco. You can do just about anything. 

If you’re in Chinatown, try your hand at fortune cookie making at the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory. Or enjoy live music at Mr. Bing’s.

Are you a gamer? Why not stop by Nintendo San Francisco in Union Square? One of only two official stores in the United States, it’s a great place to pick up exclusive Nintendo merch, create custom gaming systems, and test Nintendo games at a demo station.

For more gaming fun, grab a boozy slushie and give Frogger, Galaga, or ski ball a go at Emporium arcade bar.

Are you a Star Wars fan? Make a trip to Lucasfilm in the Presidio to see the Yoda statue. (Regret it, you will not.)

Fountain With Master Yoda Statue
Photo by Robert Hernandez Villalta

Photo by Josh Hild

Jotform is now on Salesforce AppExchange!

Get It Now
Jotform is now on Salesforce AppExchange!
AUTHOR
Heather is Jotform’s Content Director. With more than 20 years of experience, she has edited all manner of content, from software packaging and engineering review manuals to research studies and novels. She’s a big fan of the Oxford comma and plain language principles. Her writing has appeared in a number of literary journals, including Zone 3, Miller’s Pond, and the Rockhurst Review. In 2020, she won the Zone 3 Literary Award for Fiction. When she isn’t writing, editing, or reading, you may find her biking through Golden Gate Park, bellydancing, eating chocolate, or cuddling with her two adorable cats, who often make appearances on video calls. You can reach Heather through her contact form.
CONTRIBUTORS
Solana is a writer on the Enterprise Education campaign team at Jotform. With a background in content strategy, digital marketing, and media analysis, Solana’s work covers a wide range of topics from education and technology, to fashion and pop culture. Solana holds a Master of Arts from San Francisco State University where they wrote their thesis on representations of identity and desire in Star Trek: The Next Generation. This academic foundation shapes their nuanced and inclusive approach to writing. Outside of work, you’ll likely find Solana hosting a movie night, testing their knowledge at bar trivia, perfecting their cross-stitch, or relaxing near a body of water. You can reach Solana through this contact form.

Send Comment:

Jotform Avatar
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Podo Comment Be the first to comment.