Venue & Travel
Getting to the event
The 2026 Symposium will be located in San Francisco at the Mission Bay Conference Center at UCSF. Public transportation is strongly recommended. Details regarding recommended methods of transportation are listed below.
Public Transportation (Strongly Recommended!)
There are Caltrain and Muni stops within walking distance of MBCC.
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From UCSF Parnassus, we recommend taking Muni to King St & 4th St.
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From UC Berkeley, we recommend taking BART from Downtown Berkeley to Powell St and taking Muni from Powell @ 22 to Owens @ Gene Friend.
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From Stanford, we recommend taking the Caltrain from Palo Alto to 22nd Street or San Francisco and walking to MBCC.
Shuttle
We will be running a complimentary shuttle between Arc Institute's HQ (located in the Stanford Research Park in Palo Alto) to MBCC in San Francisco for Arc-based individuals. Morning shuttles will depart Arc at 9:30 AM. Evening shuttles will depart from MBCC at 7:00 PM.
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We are no longer accepting sign-ups for the shuttle. For any questions, please contact symposium@arcinstitute.org.
Parking
Due to limited availability and events related to the Superbowl during the week of the Symposium, we strongly encourage all attendees to use public transportation to reach the venue. See above for public transportation details.
Rideshare
All major rideshare companies service the drop-off in front of the Mission Bay Conference Center. Please note, we expect this area to be busy - please plan your arrival accordingly.
Biking
Bicycle racks are available near the venue's main entrance.
Venue Accommodations & Accessibility
If you have accommodation needs not addressed below, please contact the Symposium team at symposium@arcinstitute.org or find an event team member at the event. All event team members will be wearing navy blue badges.
Lactation Room
The Lactation Room is located on the second floor. Please follow signage to the MBCC Office #251 (past the bathrooms) to request assistance in accessing the room.
Wheelchair Users & Mobility-Impaired Persons
All spaces in MBCC are wheelchair accessible with directional signage to elevators. There will be dedicated accessible seating areas throughout the event spaces.
Prayer & Meditation Room
There is a dedicated Prayer & Meditation Room located on the second floor in Conference Room #4.
Gender Neutral Bathrooms
The gender neutral bathroom is located on the second floor near the elevators.
About the Venue
Arc's 2026 Symposium is in the Mission Bay Conference Center at UCSF, where cutting-edge science meets San Francisco innovation. Nestled in the vibrant Mission Bay biotech hub with waterfront views, this premier venue features flexible event spaces equipped with the latest presentation technology, providing the perfect backdrop for meaningful scientific exchange and community building. The center is conveniently located near restaurants, cafes, and public transportation options including Muni and Caltrain, making it easily accessible for attendees across the Bay Area.
