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Information aggregated automatically. Verify all dates, locations, and pricing on the official conference website before making arrangements.
QCon San Francisco is a software engineering conference organised by the team behind InfoQ, created for senior engineers, architects and technical leaders who shape how systems are designed and run. Its programme is curated around practitioner talks, with an emphasis on lessons learned from real production systems rather than product promotion. The 2026 edition takes place from 16 to 18 November at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco on the Embarcadero waterfront, followed by two days of optional training on 19 and 20 November. The three conference days are organised into twelve tracks, covering topics such as architecting for AI agents, engineering AI systems, evaluation and guardrails, modern API design, distributed systems in production, platform engineering, resilience engineering, data platforms, developer experience and Staff-plus engineering skills. Keynotes, unconference sessions and extended networking round out the schedule. Attendees leave with concrete architectural patterns and trade-offs drawn from teams operating at scale, plus training options for deeper, hands-on study. For the software architecture community, this San Francisco engineering conference remains one of the clearest windows into how leading teams are adapting their systems and practices in 2026.
QCon San Francisco 2026 takes place November 16–18, 2026 in San Francisco, United States.
QCon San Francisco 2026 is an in-person event.
QCon San Francisco 2026 is organized by InfoQ.
Travel questions? See Good to know in the travel guide below.
Mid-November is San Francisco's quiet reward: the summer fog has lifted, the light turns sharp and low, and the first rains rinse the city clean. QCon draws senior engineers and architects into the downtown and Embarcadero corridor, where the waterfront, the financial district and a dense run of coffee and dinner options all sit within a few blocks. Evenings get genuinely cold near the bay, so bring a real jacket.
SFO is the main gateway, and BART runs from inside the terminal to downtown stations in roughly 30 minutes for a few dollars, almost always faster and cheaper than a car. Oakland (OAK) and San Jose (SJC) are workable alternatives. In the city, Muni buses, the historic F-line streetcar along the Embarcadero and plain walking cover the conference area comfortably.
Skip the taxi queue — pre-book a fixed-price airport transfer with Welcome Pickups. Exploring beyond the city? compare rental cars on EconomyBookings.
Coverage downtown is strong on all US carriers, though it thins inside older buildings and on underground BART platforms. An eSIM activated before departure saves you hunting for a SIM counter on arrival. Set up an eSIM with Airalo before you board and you're online the moment you land.
Ferry Building Marketplace. On the Embarcadero waterfront, a restored ferry terminal now full of local producers, oyster bars and coffee. The farmers market on Saturday mornings is the real draw. Ten minutes on foot from most downtown hotels and an easy lunch break between sessions. Busiest around midday.
Golden Gate Bridge walk. Walking out onto the span is free and takes about thirty minutes each way to the first tower. November mornings are often clearer than summer ones. Dress for wind coming off the Pacific regardless of what the city thermometer says, and check which side is open to pedestrians.
Exploratorium. A hands-on science and perception museum on Pier 15, and one of the few attractions that genuinely rewards an engineering crowd. Plan on two to three hours. Adults-only evening sessions run midweek if you want it without school groups. Tickets on Go City →
Cable car to Nob Hill. Less a transport option than a working piece of 19th-century machinery you can ride. Board at a mid-route stop rather than the Powell Street turntable to skip the long queue. Fifteen minutes uphill delivers you to Nob Hill and a steep, worthwhile walk back down.
How do I get from SFO to downtown?
Take BART directly from the airport station to Embarcadero or Montgomery, about 30 minutes. Rideshare costs far more and can take just as long in traffic.
What should I pack for November?
Daytime highs sit around 14-17C and drop sharply after sunset, with rain increasingly likely. Layers plus a windproof outer shell.
Is a rental car worth it?
No. Downtown parking is expensive and scarce, and transit plus walking covers the conference area. Rent only if you plan a trip to wine country or the coast.
Travel notes written for QCon San Francisco 2026 attendees. Links marked above are affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no cost to you. Verify schedules and opening hours on official websites before you travel.
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