How to survive WWDC 2019

Are you spending the week in San Jose? We know where to eat, drink, and visit!

If you're on the ground in San Jose in or around the McEnery Convention Center and are wondering what to do next, you're going to need some help figuring out where the popular spots are for your post-conference fun. Sure, the days-long developer sessions are incredibly helpful and they're literally the reason you're here, but after-hours (and sometimes before-hours) is where it's at. It's where you'll meet and connect with other developers, press peeps, and sometimes even Apple insiders. But you have to know where to go in order to stay connected.

Don't forget to download the WWDC app to help get you around the conference itself.

Where to eat

SoFA Market

SoFA Market is the wonderful little food court just around the corner from the convention center. You can get a Poke Bowl, pizza, Cuban sandwiches, and even gourmet popsicles (yes, gourmet). Serenity and I stumbled across this hidden gem last year and I haven't been able to get it out of my head ever since.

Arcadia

Arcadia was founded by celebrity chef Michael Mina. An upscale eatery, Arcadia boasts some melt-in-your-mouth delicacies, like Lobster Pot Pie and roasted bone marrow. Don't be scared away if this sounds like too much. You won't be able to turn your back on a traditional New York Strip or braised short ribs. Arcadia is located inside the Marriott Hotel, which is also directly across from the convention center on the south side. Arcadia is probably going to be populated by WWDC attendees looking for a relaxing evening away from the hustle and bustle.

Fountain Restaurant

The Fountain is going to be where to go for breakfast before hitting the conference floor. It opens every morning at 6:30 AM, so you'll have plenty of time to grab a bite on your way to your first session. The Fountain serves your classic breakfast fare, like eggs, french toast, and fruit plates and you can your caffeine fix with HC Valentine coffee or a wide variety of teas. Oh, and they're open for lunch, too.

OpenTable app

Of course, if you want to find the right restaurant for your mood or if you just want to make sure you can get a table at one of the more popular haunts, use OpenTable to find great places nearby.

Where to drink

The Fountainhead Bar

The Fountainhead seems to be the new hotness at WWDC. Last year, dozens of app developers and tech journalists hit the craft brew pub every night for some libations and conversation. It's got a nice ambiance, lots of room for hanging out in groups, and a decent selection of beer, wine, and cocktails. It's only open until 9:00 PM Monday through Thursday, so you'd better get there before Last Call.

Loft Bar and Bistro

The Loft is a fancy-pants restaurant and bar with not one, but two floors of hanging out-ness. It's huge on the inside, so you probably won't have trouble finding a place to sit after a long day at the conference. The upstairs patio is partially covered but exposed enough to let you feel the night breeze of San Jose. Though the beer and wine menu is nothing to sneeze at, there is a wide variety of things to nosh on from their full menu. The Loft is only open until 10:00 pm on Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday, so keep that in mind when you're thirsty for some after-after hours fun.

Caffe Frascati

Of course, all those late nights of mixing and mingling are going to make you tired. Caffee Frascati is just what you need to kickstart your day. It's cozy and comfortable and serves delicious cuppas. Serenity, Rene, and I gathered upstairs in the loft for post-conference work sessions on the regular. Gotta keep the caffeine flowing if you want to keep the fingers typing.

Parties, Parties, Parties!

There are always big to-dos before, after, and during WWDC. You can literally stay in San Jose for five days without attending the conference once and still feel like you've been surrounded by Apple and developer news and classes the entire time. We have a list of the best events to attend while you're in town for WWDC.

Best events to attend during WWDC week

If you're still looking for even more WWDC-related gatherings, you should check out Beacon - Signal Availability. It's a great way to find out what's happening around town from people doing stuff around town. You can also create your own event any time and invite everyone to join your party.

Free - Download now

Points of interest to visit while you're there

Tech Museum of Innovation

You can't go all the way to San Jose for a tech conference without making a stop at the Tech Museum of Innovation. It's three stories of gadgets, robots, and other tech-focused exhibits. You can find out more about bioengineering, the future of wearables in health, and test out some pretty sweet VR headsets. It's like a discovery museum or Exploratorium. You're never too old to learn something new, and during WWDC, it's going to be filled with tech nerds just like you.

San Jose Museum of Art

If you need to get away from all this technology and want to relax with some culture, check out the San Jose Museum of Art. If you're in town early, there's a one-day event on June 1 with some interesting DIY sessions. There's also the Screen Acts: Women in Film and Video exhibit running through June 30 that I'm excited to see.

Hang out with us!

Of course, we're going to be at WWDC all week long, visiting the hot spots for dinner, drinks, and parties. So be sure to say hi when you see us. We love meeting other Apple enthusiasts, especially the ones that read iMore.