Conference Experiences
Enrich Your Conference Experience!
While at the conference, we encourage you to engage with the NODA community outside of the educational aspects of the conference! There are a variety of ways to connect with colleagues and build your NODA network. Consider engaging in the following ways:
- Excursions: opportunities to engage in and connect with San Francisco before or after the Annual Conference; these opportunities have an add-on cost that is not coordinated directly by NODA, but you can meet-up with NODA members who are participating.
- Side Trips: opportunities to explore San Francisco and engage with NODA members during the conference with an add-on cost; registration is required and separate from your NODAC registration.
- Socials: opportunities to explore San Francisco and engage with NODA members during the conference with no up-front cost; you can choose how much you spend.
- force Park
- Wellness Initiatives: opportunities to practice and incorporate overall wellness throughout the conference to maintain personal wellbeing.
- Explore SF: opportunities to explore iconic landmarks in San Francisco on your own time before, during, or after the conference.
EXCURSIONS
Exploratorium After Dark
Thursday, October 23 | 6 – 10 p.m.
Unplug and play with 700+ interactive exhibits exploring science, art, and perception. Encounter the unexpected with programming that invites you into the worlds of the thinkers and creators changing our communities. Get inquisitive and grab a drink. With 75,000 square feet of conversation starters, you’ll never run out of things to talk about!
A valid ID or passport is required for admission, and food and drinks can be purchased on-site. For more information, visit the Exploratorium website.
Price: $22.95
Includes: museum admission
Tickets will be available for purchase on the Exploratorium website in late July/early August.
SIDE TRIPS
Alcatraz Night Tour
Saturday, October 25 | 6:30 p.m. and 7:05 p.m.
Experience the many moods of Alcatraz Island with an evening visit. Enjoy the beauty of a sunset silhouetting the Golden Gate Bridge, experience a cell door demonstration, and hear compelling stories about the Island’s history and residents. Your special tour begins the moment you head to Alcatraz. You’ll enjoy a live narration while the ferry takes a special “around the island” route to Alcatraz — both perks not offered during the daytime tour. Once docked, you’ll join a Ranger or educator for the world-famous Cellhouse Audio Tour.
Two departure times are available: 6:30 p.m. and 7:05 p.m. (select your time when registering). Participants should arrive at Pier 33 30-minutes before departure. You can return from Alcatraz at any of the following times:
-7 p.m.
-8 p.m.
-8:45 p.m.
-9:30 p.m.
Price: $80
Includes: round-trip ferry ride to Alcatraz Island, admission to Alcatraz Island, and a 1-day MUNI + Cable Car transportation pass (can be redeemed on any day and is valid until 11:59 p.m. on the day it is redeemed)
Tickets are limited for each time slot and will be available for purchase in the NODA Store beginning July 14 at noon (CST).
SOCIALS
Service Project
Friday, October 24 | 8:30 – 10 p.m.
Engage with our community partner, the SF LGBT Center, and NODA members! Enjoy dessert and a cash bar while you put together hygiene kits for the San Francisco community.
Trivia
Friday, October 24 | 9 – 10 p.m.
Round out the first night of NODAC with trivia! Enjoy dessert and a cash bar while you test your knowledge and expand your NODA network!
Ferry Plaza Farmers Market
Saturday, October 25 | 8 – 9:15 a.m.
Join other NODA members for a morning trip to the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market! With over 100+ vendors, the Saturday market is held both in front of the Ferry Building, along the Embarcadero, and on the rear plaza overlooking the Bay. The market offers a wide variety of fresh, local produce, food products, and brunch and lunch options. Grab coffee or breakfast while you explore!
Salesforce Park
Sunday, October 26 | 8 – 9:15 a.m.
Join other NODA members for a morning trip to Salesforce Park! Sometimes the best surprises are right at the top… of the Salesforce Transit Center. Enjoy the 5.4 acre public park, a living roof where a curved walking trail lined with benches surrounds grassy lawns, dancing fountains, and 600 trees and 16,000 plants arranged in 13 different botanical feature areas. There’s nothing else like it anywhere. Grab coffee or breakfast while you explore!
Rincon Park
Monday, October 27 | 8 – 9:15 a.m.
Join other NODA members for a morning trip to Rincon Park! Rincon Park’s location on the waterfront has open views of the city skyline, the Bay Bridge and across the Bay. You’ll also find Cupid’s Span, a bow and arrow sculpture. Grab coffee or breakfast while you explore!
wellness
Morning Wellness
Saturday, October 25 – Monday, October 27 | 7 – 8 a.m.
Enjoy some morning movement with a group wellness activity, hosted each morning of the conference!
Wellness Room
Saturday, October 25 – Sunday, October 26 | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Need a wellness break during the conference? Pop into the Wellness Room for wellness-related activities, such as coloring, gratitude, meditation, and more! Grab a sensory or fidget item to remain engaged and get the most out of conference sessions.
Explore SF
Golden Gate Bridge
When you think of San Francisco, you likely think of the Golden Gate Bridge! Noted as one of the 7 Wonders of the World, the Golden Gate Bridge is #1 on every visitor’s list of to-dos! To learn more about the Golden Gate Bridge and how to get there, visit the Golden Gate Bridge page.
The Painted Ladies
Along the eastern side of Alamo Square Park is one of the most iconic and most photographed sights in San Francisco, the Painted Ladies. These pastel-colored homes, standing shoulder-to-shoulder on the gentle slope of Steiner Street, are famously known for being featured in “Full House.” For information on getting to the Painted Ladies, visit the SF Travel’s Painted Ladies webpage.
Lombard Street
Known as the “Crookedest Street in the World”, Lombard Street is on the bucket lists of many! Surrounded by pristine landscaping and historic mansions, this iconic street is one for the postcards back home. To learn more about the history and allure, check out the Lombard Street page.
Cable Cars and Street Cars
There is nothing quite like riding a cable car or street car up and down the hills of San Francisco. While they symbolize the early innovation that made the city iconic, the experience of riding a cable car is timeless. To ride, you can purchase a ticket at a cable car stop kiosk, via the MuniMobile app, or a Clipper card. Learn more on SF Travel’s Transportation webpage.
Pier 39 & Fisherman’s Wharf
Located in the heart of San Francisco, you can’t miss Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf! Stop by Pier 39 to visit the sea lions, take in the view (and see Alcatraz), or grab a bite to eat. Continue exploring at Fisherman’s Wharf, home to many shops, sights, and dining! These attractions are just a 30-minute walk from the Hyatt Embarcadero, or a quick ride via public transit.
Aquarium of the Bay
Smithsonian-affiliated and home to over 24,000 marine animals, the Aquarium of the Bay brings Northern California aquatic life to you! Guests are able to view and engage with animals through walk-through tunnel exhibits and transparent touchpools. The reefs are calling, and we hope you answer! To learn more about ticketing and visiting the Aquarium of the Bay, visit their website.
Ghirardelli Square
A historic public space, Ghirardelli Square features specialty shops, restaurants, and San Francisco’s very own Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience, where you can savor your favorite treats. Ghirardelli also sits right next to Aquatic Park, a picturesque waterfront location on the Bay, great for recreation and relaxation. To learn more, visit the Ghirardelli Square website.
SF Zoo and Gardens
Nestled against the Pacific Ocean, the San Francisco Zoo is an urban oasis. The zoo is home to over 2,000 exotic, endangered, and rescued animals representing 250+ species and peaceful gardens full of native and foreign plants. If this intrigues you, then you should visit the Zoo.
SF Museums
San Francisco is full of museums! Check out the SF Travel’s Museum webpage to learn more about all SF has to offer.
Looking for more to do in SF? SF Travel is the place to explore for your next adventure in the City by the Bay!