Day One in San Francisco: 23,000 Steps, One Local, and a Whole Lot of City Magic
So yes, I live in a capital city—meaning I’m not exactly a small-town fish out of water. But San Francisco still felt like a different animal, and my first day there set the tone perfectly.
Right after we checked into our hotel, my partner and I met up with a friend of his from childhood—an East Coaster who’s been living in San Fran for most of his adult life. Having a local guide was an absolute game changer. Instead of wandering aimlessly trying to get a feel for the city, we went on what felt like an epic, unofficial “best of SF” trek.
By the end of the day, we’d clocked over 23,000 steps—hiking up Chinatown’s hills, Little Italy’s deli-lined streets, Washington Square with its postcard-perfect views of Coit Tower, and the tourist-magnet mashup of Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39. Then we cruised down to the Ferry Building before looping back up through the Financial District and landing at Union Square.
This wasn’t just a walking tour—it was a city crash course with stories, side streets, and inside jokes sprinkled throughout. Having a local resource turned what could’ve been a stressful orientation into a vibe check with the city itself. If you’re ever visiting a new place, especially for a conference or event, do yourself a favor: find a local to show you the ropes. We ended up making up for all that walking with the amazing food we ate throughout the trip.
Yes—I Was on CNN Within 24 Hours of Landing
You know that thing where you go to your first big design conference and think, “this will be a low-key professional development moment”—and then suddenly you get sent a clip of you and your colleague strolling through the cells of Alcatraz, complete with your portable walking tour necklace and headphones from the ’90s?
Just me?
We didn’t plan it. We were just out there, absorbing history, talking about UX as one does when surrounded by tales of solitary confinement—and boom. Broadcast legacy achieved. Was this a sign of the chaotic good energy to come? 100%.
Buffer Days Are the Ultimate Conference Hack
Here’s a little secret that every conference rookie needs to know: arrive early, leave late, and build buffer days on both sides of the event. Your future self will thank you.
My team landed a day early and stuck around a day after Config officially ended. What did we do with that glorious extra time? We bonded. Not in some forced “team-building exercise” way—thank god, no trust falls—but by wandering the city, having lots of gelato, and just being together without the pressure of sessions and networking events.
Those buffer days gave us space to decompress from travel, explore San Francisco at a human pace, and soak up the city’s vibe without conference chaos. I firmly believe that having this breathing room made us better listeners, better networkers, and frankly, better humans during the packed days to come.
The Magic of Off-Menu Events: Meetup Rangers, Assemble!
Conferences are great, but the side events? That’s where the magic lives.
Some were planned—found through platforms like Meetup and Lu.ma. But others… were more spontaneous infiltration.
Case in point: the event where I met Jesse freaking Showalter.
We hadn’t planned to go. In fact, we weren’t even invited. My colleague was walking back to the hotel when he spotted a design event happening inside a gallery space just a few blocks away. Turns out it was a Spline event—cool 3D tool, cooler people, and (spoiler alert) zero of whom were expecting us.
But here’s the thing: when you’re tagging along with a sweet-talking coworker in his 20s who radiates main character energy, suddenly doors open. Literally. We walked in, asked to be let in, and headed into the belly of the beast.
I’m no stranger to networking and meetups—in fact, that’s where I thrive. I love playing wing-woman to my less extroverted coworkers. And then—I saw him. Jesse Showalter. IRL. Just hanging out like it was totally normal for my YouTube design tutorial idol to be chatting up the people huddled in the next group over.
I did what any normal person would do: I blacked out for a moment. Then I pulled it together enough to say hi, thank him for his work, and have a real, human conversation. He was kind and gracious, and yes, everything you want your design heroes to be. He recommended I pace my schedule through the next two days—a suggestion I failed at on day one, and then improved on day two.
Moral of the story? Some of the best conference moments happen outside the official schedule—and occasionally, outside the guest list. Keep your eyes open, stay curious, and never underestimate the power of a confident friend who’s willing to crash a party on your behalf.
Final Thoughts: Config Broke the Seal and My Perspective Got Absolutely Lit
Going to Config for the first time wasn’t just about absorbing design trends or snagging cool swag (although yes, the swag was top tier). It was about feeling part of something bigger—a community, a conversation, a weirdly emotional pilgrimage for people who care way too much about visual hierarchies and growth design.
I came home with sore feet, a full camera roll, and a notes doc full of ideas—but more than anything, I came home with a deeper sense of connection. To my teammates. To the design community. And to the version of myself who, despite being a little awkward and unsure, still showed up fully and said, let’s go.
If you’re reading this and you’ve never been to a design conference—especially if you’re a junior designer, a career switcher, or someone who doesn’t feel like they “fit the mold”—consider this your nudge. Buy the ticket (while it’s still half price). Pack the weird walking shoes. Let yourself be surprised by the moments between the keynotes.
Because if I’ve learned anything, it’s this: you never know where a random meetup, a buffer day, or a sweet-talking coworker might lead you.