California Dreaming: From Karl the Fog to Next.js Conf...How I Fell in Love with SF π
Although it wasn't my first time in California, it was my first time in SF and OβBOY I am in love with this city! You know that feeling when you travel somewhere for the first time and you love it so much you decide to move there? THAT! As I stood on those iconic hills, watching the fog roll in (they call it Karl, how cute is that?), I knew this trip was going to be different.
But letβs start at the beginning because itβs a good place to begin!
Living The Dream! β¨
(Alexa, play "California Dreamin'" by The Mamas & The Papas π΅) I always wanted to actually go to Next.js conferences and get to meet the people who built this giant of a package. ( people who know me .. they know, I wouldn't shut up about Next.js !!), and by some miracle, I got my last-minute tickets and TAADAA β there I was, standing 3 meters from Guillermo Rauch and Lee Robinson!
The Nerdy Stuff
The keynote? PURE GOLD! They dropped their four-part master plan:
- Make it Work: Data fetching got a glow-up
- Make it Right: Turbopack finally said "I'm stable!"
- Make it Fast: Caching that makes everything zoom!
- Make it Blazing Fast: Because fast wasn't fast enough! β‘
AI, UI and Oleg Akbarov's Session
Oleg Akbarov from Perplexity AI delivered one of the most impactful talks of the conference: "Building user interfaces in the age of AI." Here's what blew my mind:
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Streaming Architecture Efficient techniques for handling AI-generated content streams in real-time UIs. The live demos were flawless!
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Schema Validation Practical approaches to ensure AI data consistency and accuracy - finally, a solution that makes sense!
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LLM Output Handling Smart strategies for transforming complex LLM outputs into structured, user-friendly interfaces.
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React Integration Real-world patterns for building responsive AI-powered components that actually perform.
The best part? Every concept came with practical examples we could implement right away. Seeing these patterns deployed at scale was incredibly valuable for those of us working with AI interfaces daily.
Now that I got the nerdy part out of the way (and trust me, I could talk about Next.js ALL day), let's explore SF's AMAZING and rich culture AAAND food scene! Between fangirling and furiously taking notes, I discovered some seriously incredible spots...
Food Adventures That Changed My Life! π½οΈ
I LOVE eating and I LOVE food and I LOVE trying new foods!
At Niku Steakhouse, I had the A Wagyu that literally made me forget about my deployment issues.
But Lazy Bear? weirdly enough it reminds me of Soho House 40 Greek Street ( If you havent been there its a must visit spot in London)
OMG! The winter squash fondue had me questioning all my life choices (in a good way!). And those elderflower gummy bears? ( LOOK AT THEM SOOO CUUUUTE)
GENIUS! Plus, the persimmon sundae and French toast with foie gras ice cream? I mean, who even thinks of these combinations? I'm still dreaming about them!
P.s : dont miss out on Mission-style burrito, its a MUST!
Hold Up, Let Me Tell You About The BEST Spots in SF! π
Between geeking out at the conference and stuffing my face with amazing food, I explored some INCREDIBLE places you absolutely can't miss:
Mission District: The Coolest Spot Ever! β¨
Valencia Street is where the magic happens - think boutique shops that'll make your inner hipster SCREAM! Mission Dolores Park = perfect spot for laptop-chillin' with the most INSANE city views. Oh, and Tartine Bakery? Worth. Every. Second. In. Line!
North Beach: Italian Vibes & Coffee Highs! β
Get the Irish Coffee at Buena Vista Cafe (trust me on this one!), browse City Lights Bookstore for major main character energy, and boom - you're in Chinatown! Two cultural explosions, one stone's throw!
Golden Gate Park: Nature's Debug Mode πΈ
This is the spot! Japanese Tea Garden for zen mode, paddle boats at Stow Lake for adventure mode, and enough gardens to make you forget about that bug you've been fighting all week.
Pro tip: Pack comfy shoes - San Francisco hills don't care about your perfect Git history! π
The Plot Twist β¨
As my time in San Francisco drew to a close, I realized something: this wasn't just a conference trip. This was the beginning of a love story β with a city, with a technology, with a community. And just like that perfect Next.js build, everything just clicked into place.
Maybe finding your tech home is like finding your actual home β when you know, you just know. And San Francisco? It knows how to make both code and food sing!
[To be continued... because let's be real, I'm definitely coming back!]