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Here for GDC? Stay on the Sunny Side of the Bay.
Your GDC Headquarters — On the Sunny Side of the Bay
GDC week fills San Francisco's hotels and sends rates soaring — so here's the savvy move: stay across the bay in Oakland and BART straight in. Our two waterfront hotels put you about 20 minutes from Moscone Center, with parking at just $17 per night, free breakfast before your first session, and a calm waterfront setting to recharge after the expo floor. Better value, easier mornings, and a chance to discover The Town while you're here.
- About 20 minutes to Moscone by BART
- Skip San Francisco's convention-week room rates
- Hotel parking: $17 per night
- Free breakfast for registered guests
- Waterfront calm to recharge after sessions
- Book direct for the best rate and availability
Executive Inn & Suites — Embarcadero Cove, Oakland
A waterfront Oakland hotel with 143 guest rooms including 19 suites. Many rooms feature a private balcony or patio with water views. Enjoy complimentary breakfast, a waterfront pool and spa, fitness center, complimentary Wi-Fi, and on-site dining at The Cove. About 15 miles from San Francisco and roughly 20 minutes to downtown by BART — a smart, better-value base while you're in town for the conference.
- Hotel parking just $17 per night
- Free breakfast for registered guests
- Waterfront pool and spa
- Fitness center
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- On-site dining — The Cove
Extending your trip? Save up to 25% with our Stay Longer, Save More rate the longer you stay (some blackouts apply).
Best Western Plus Bayside Hotel — Oakland
Just steps from Executive Inn & Suites on Oakland's Embarcadero, the Best Western Plus Bayside Hotel is another comfortable, highly rated, better-value option during the conference. Enjoy a relaxing stay with breakfast included and parking at just $17 per night when you book direct.
- Hotel parking just $17 per night
- Free breakfast for registered guests
- Fitness center
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- On-site dining — The Cove (Executive Inn & Suites)
- Level 2 EV charging stations
Save more as a Best Western Rewards member. Join Best Western Rewards for free and unlock member-only rates — typically around 10% off the standard nightly rate at Best Western Plus Bayside Hotel. Membership is free, takes a couple of minutes to set up, and the discount applies right at booking.
Game Developers Conference (GDC)
Moscone Center — San Francisco, CA
The Game Developers Conference is the world's largest professional gathering for the game industry, drawing roughly 30,000 developers, artists, designers, and studios to Moscone Center each spring for a week of talks, workshops, and expo. Newly rebranded as the GDC Festival of Gaming, the 2026 edition runs March 9–13 in San Francisco. It's an intense week — which is exactly why a relaxing, better-value base just across the bay makes so much sense. See the full program and plan your stay around it.
- The world's largest game-development conference
- Moscone Center, San Francisco
- 2026: March 9–13 (held each spring)
- About 15 miles from our Oakland hotels — an easy BART ride
Getting Across the Bay — the Smart Way
Here's the Oakland advantage: during convention weeks, San Francisco hotels near Moscone book out and spike to two or three times their normal rates. Stay on the sunny side of the bay instead. Both hotels sit on Oakland's Embarcadero Cove, about 15 miles from San Francisco — an easy BART ride under the bay, with parking at just $17 per night and free breakfast before your first session.
From the Hotels to Moscone Center
- Park at the hotel ($17/night) and ride BART under the bay — roughly 20–30 minutes to downtown San Francisco
- Step off at Powell or Montgomery station, a few blocks from Moscone Center
- Venue: Moscone Center, San Francisco
- Or sail across: the San Francisco Bay Ferry runs from nearby Jack London Square to the SF Ferry Building
Hotel Addresses
- Executive Inn & Suites — 1755 Embarcadero, Oakland, CA 94606
- Best Western Plus Bayside Hotel — 1717 Embarcadero, Oakland, CA
Why Stay in Oakland?
Better value, a relaxing waterfront setting to recharge after long conference days, and an easy commute across the water. Skip the convention-week price surge in the city, and discover The Town while you're here — Jack London Square dining, the Bay Trail, and Oakland's celebrated food scene are right outside the door.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I stay for GDC?
Skip San Francisco's convention-week prices and stay across the bay. Executive Inn & Suites and Best Western Plus Bayside Hotel are two waterfront Oakland hotels about 20 minutes from Moscone Center by BART, with parking at just $17 per night and free breakfast when you book direct.
When and where is GDC 2026?
The Game Developers Conference (GDC Festival of Gaming) runs March 9–13, 2026, at Moscone Center in San Francisco. It's held each spring.
How do I get from Oakland to Moscone Center?
Park at the hotel for $17 per night and take BART under the bay — about 20–30 minutes to Powell or Montgomery station, a few blocks from Moscone. The San Francisco Bay Ferry from nearby Jack London Square is a scenic alternative.
Is it really cheaper to stay in Oakland?
Typically, yes. San Francisco hotel rates near Moscone often double or triple during major conferences and sell out early, while Oakland offers comfortable waterfront rooms at better value, with free breakfast and $17 parking.
What's there to do in Oakland after sessions?
Plenty — Jack London Square's waterfront dining is minutes away, along with Yoshi's for live jazz, the Bay Trail, and Oakland's award-winning food scene.
Can I stay extra nights?
Yes — extend your trip and explore the Bay Area. Ask about our Stay Longer, Save More rate to save up to 25% the longer you stay (some blackouts apply).
What's included with my stay?
Free breakfast, complimentary Wi-Fi, a waterfront pool and spa, fitness center, and parking at just $17 per night when you book direct.
Learn about our Value Adding Amenities
Explore Our Rooms
See what our guests say
"Stayed at the Executive Inn and Suites for well over a year on a weekly basis and I never had a bad experience! I experienced both the pre- and post-remodeling of the facility and it's very glamorous and comfortable. I was comfortable in the pre-remodeled facility, but it was a delight when the rooms were remodeled. The facilities were updated and are quite stylish and comfortable. I was fortunate to have a waterfront room, and the view was amazing! I took advantage of the pool and hot tub and again was quite pleased. I even used the workout area facilities. I was very satisfied with the physical property; even the outside area was well groomed and well maintained."
"Some months ago I met with your Director of Sales, Michael Weber, CMP to discuss accommodations for a forthcoming reunion - the Class of 1955 from Alameda High School. Michael could not have been more helpful, and as a result many of our classmates stayed at the Inn this past weekend.
When I mentioned to Michael that we would like an area for a gathering of classmates the night before the reunion, which was held at Scott's at Jack London Square on Saturday, he suggested using the lounge area for no-host cocktails and that 'Howie' would be our bartender. This worked perfectly, and Howie was an incredible bartender and did an excellent job and was very personable with the guests.
On behalf of the Alameda High 55th Reunion Committee, I want to thank you and every one of your staff who helped make this weekend such a great success. It was greatly appreciated."
"We had a fine and very comfortable room with a view, one that presented no problems for my wife while using her walker. The complimentary continental cuisine (I just could not resist that) for breakfast was right up there with the best we have experienced in out travels and the atmosphere was certainly relaxing.
A point really appreciated by people such as we, plucked from our beds at an earlier than usual hour! And we must make special note of the shuttle service. That is really a great feature. We were able to go where and almost to the minute, when we wanted. It eliminated the need to rent a car and promptly get lost (it has happened!)
Your staff was also efficient and friendly and that certainly is important for tourists. Then there was the friendly personal attention you gave us, we certainly felt like honored guest!
I would like to express my gratitude for your presence at our Enlisted Person and Civilian of the Quarter recognition breakfasts!
We greatly appreciate your ongoing support of the Coast Guard. Our quarterly recognition event is one way we honor our loyal and productive members. Once again, I would like to thank you and the Executive Inn & Suites for their generosity. We look forward to continuing our relationship as community partners."
