My recent trip to the San Francisco Bay Area was a blend of professional growth, technological exploration, and personal adventure. The cornerstone of this visit was the WOIC Berkeley innovation conference, where I had the privilege of presenting my paper in the industry-focused best practice track. This year, I shared my innovative approach titled "Fast & Effective Method for Building Successful Open Innovation Collaboration," also known as the win-win canvas method.

Planning the trip came with an unexpected perk: by extending my stay slightly, I managed to save up to €1,000. As this was my first trip to the San Francisco tech scene, the extra days also gave me time to adapt to the time shift—a thoughtful move since it had been over almost a decade since I crossed so many time zones. With the region offering so much to explore, it was no surprise my expectations were exceeded. I enjoyed the great Golden Gate Bridge tourism experience, delved into cutting-edge technologies like autonomous vehicles, participated in an insightful conference, and reconnected with the vibrant WOIC community that I’d met during previous editions in Eindhoven and Bilbao. My highlights & key insights of the WOIC conference are in another blog post.

The Tourist’s Tale: Wandering SF and an Encounter with Waymo

My first day in San Francisco was all about classic sightseeing, though I opted to skip the guided tours and hop-on-hop-off buses. Instead, I wandered freely using Google Maps to navigate, letting serendipity guide my path. Starting at Fisherman’s Wharf, I admired the sea lions and strolled along the coast in glorious California sunshine—a welcome change from Belgium’s damp weather.

My walk took me to Crissy Field Beach, where I watched surfers gliding with the help of motorized fins against the backdrop of the Golden Gate Bridge. Though tempted to walk up to the bridge, I underestimated the sheer scale of San Francisco. This led me to consider testing one of Waymo’s self-driving taxis, an experience high on my bucket list. Unfortunately, I hit a roadblock—my European Google account didn’t allow me to install the Waymo app due to regional restrictions. While disappointed, I explored the Palace of Fine Arts and marveled at Pacific Heights’ Art Deco homes on my way back to Fisherman’s Wharf, determined to find a workaround for my Waymo experience.

Tech Meets Travel: Cracking the Waymo Code

Determined to experience the future of mobility with Waymo autonomous driving technology, I tackled the challenge of regional app restrictions. Switching my existing Google account location to the U.S. wasn’t an option due to business dependencies, so I created a new, U.S.-based Google account. This allowed me to access the U.S. app store and download the Waymo app using a U.S.-based IP address.

After some trial and error, I discovered that once the Waymo app was installed, I could link it to my European Google account for payment. This was a huge relief since it saved me from the hassle of adding a credit card to my U.S.-based account. With the app ready and linked to my preferred payment method, I was finally ready to take my first ride.

The Waymo Ride: Futuristic Yet Familiar

Using the Waymo system was refreshingly intuitive—like Uber but with some sci-fi flair. After hailing a car, I unlocked it via the app, settled into the back seat, and enjoyed a seamless ride accompanied by calming music. Watching the vehicle navigate San Francisco’s orderly grid felt like a natural evolution of my years using Tesla’s semi-autonomous driving systems.

Reflecting on the experience, I pondered why systems like Waymo flourish in the U.S. but lag in Europe. Beyond legislation, the structured streets and disciplined traffic in cities like San Francisco likely play a significant role. Compared to the narrow, winding streets of European cities, the environment here seems tailor-made for autonomous vehicles and their future success.

An Electrifying Encounter: Tesla Cybertruck Test Drive

While exploring Berkeley, I stumbled upon an opportunity to test drive Tesla’s Cybertruck, a highlight for any electric vehicle enthusiast. This futuristic, hulking vehicle looked surprisingly at home on the spacious American streets. Despite its huge size, driving the Cybertruck felt remarkably familiar, akin to my Tesla Model 3.

Encouraged to test its acceleration, I wasn’t disappointed—it was a thrilling, high-powered experience. The Tesla Cybertruck’s self-driving feature also shone, managing traffic with precision and ease. This brief but exhilarating test drive offered a glimpse into the future of electric and autonomous vehicles.

Key Stats and Tips from My Trip

• Connectivity: I used about 1 GB of data per day during my trip, and thanks to the Revolut eSIM, I managed this effortlessly—no need for a local SIM card and without straining my budget. It really helped keeping me online for essential communications and allowing me to explore innovative travel apps.
• Photos Galore: I snapped 1,425 pictures (32 GB), with 300 focused on the WOIC Berkeley innovation conference (check out my key learnings here).
• Activity: I logged 142,090 steps according to my Oura ring.
• Jet Lag Management: Adjusting to the time zone was easier than expected, though my Oura noted a slight temperature increase the first few nights— apparently a recurring pattern for me after long flights.
• Pro Tip: Sit on the polar side of the plane for potential glimpses of the Aurora Borealis.

This trip was a delightful mix of professional inspiration, technological curiosity, and personal discovery, reminding me of the endless opportunities that await when innovation meets exploration.