Making the most of WWDC with @jmwolfinbarger

(This is part of an email interview series we’re sharing this week in advance of WWDC. Since so many people come in from out of town to attend the conference, we thought it would be helpful and fun to get some advice from long-time attendees and SF residents about how to make the most of your trip to the Bay Area)

What is your favorite place to grab a drink and run into random WWDCers?

I don’t have a particular favorite. Anywhere I can catch up with friends. The View lounge on the top floor of the Marriott Marquis is small, but has great views of the city. I usually visit Foley’s Irish Pub at some point during the week.

If you could lead a field trip for 15 WWDC attendees where would you take them?

We’d walk across the Golden Gate bridge. From the far side, it’s not a terribly far hike into Sausalito, where you can catch a ferry back to the wharf.

I’d also take them to the Muir Woods to see the coastal redwoods. It’s a remarkably peaceful place to visit, especially after a few days in the city. http://www.nps.gov/muwo/index.htm

The ruins of the Sutro Baths near Point Lobos are interesting and a good excuse to see the coast. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutro_Baths

We could probably spend a whole day in Golden Gate Park. It’s a nice break from the city and has a variety of attractions. http://www.golden-gate-park.com/

Any engineer should enjoy a visit to the Cable Car Museum, located in the Washington-Mason powerhouse and carbarn on Nob Hill. You can learn about the history of cable cars in SF and see the engines that drive the cables. http://www.cablecarmuseum.org/

The Wharf is one of most touristy places you can visit in SF. But if you go, take the cable car and visit Pier 39 to see the sea lions. http://www.pier39.com/SeaLion/index.htm

Where is the best beer in San Francisco?

I don’t know, but I like to try local brews wherever I visit. I’m partial to unfiltered wheats and hefeweizens.

Have you found a coffee shop worth working in and skipping WWDC sessions for? If so, where is it?

I prefer to focus on the conference during the day. I try to avoid working while I’m at WWDC. For me, it’s a week to think about technology without thinking about my job. I try to forget about that stuff, get reenergized, and come up with new ideas and perspectives.

What’s the best meal you’ve had in San Francisco and where did you have it?

Lots of good places to eat, but no one place sticks in my mind. I mostly remember SF for the conference, for time with friends and family, and for seeing the sights.

What’s the most fun thing you can do in San Francisco that you’d recommend to visitors?

Get away from Moscone West and Market Street and experience the rest of the city. Read one of Christopher Moore’s books that are set in the city before you go. For some reason, I felt more in tune with the city after reading his books.

What’s the most unique thing you can do in San Francisco that you’d recommend to visitors?

Walk the length of the Golden Gate bridge.

What one thing do you bring home from SF every time you visit?

At least one black t-shirt. If I’m lucky, new ideas, new inspiration, and new ways of thinking about old problems.

Thanks Mike, these are great suggestions!

Want to see advice from other friends of ours? Check out tips from:

Buzz Andersen

Jonathan Barbero

Ryan Nielsen

Andrew Wooster

Ash Ponders

Justin Williams