Game Developers Conference

Where to Stay for the Game Developers Conference (GDC): Hotel Julian, San Francisco

Every spring, San Francisco becomes the creative nucleus of the gaming world as the Game Developers Conference (GDC) brings together developers, artists, engineers, producers, and storytellers from every corner of the industry. Hosted at Moscone Center, it’s a high-energy, high-creativity week of learning, networking, and game-changing announcements.

Hotel Julian offers GDC attendees a stylish boutique stay with a calm interior rhythm—designed to contrast the sensory overload of the expo floor. With thoughtful details, plush design, and brunch served every Saturday and Sunday at Carlotta’s Cocktail and Wine Bar, Julian gives you the downtime you need to level up your stay.

About the Game Developers Conference

GDC is the world’s largest professional game industry event, featuring educational talks, hands-on workshops, networking lounges, and one of the biggest expos in gaming. Whether you’re shipping AAA titles, developing indie gems, or prototyping the next great VR experience, GDC is where ideas and innovation collide.

???? When It Happens:

The conference is held every March at Moscone Center. In 2025, GDC is expected to run March 17–21, with the Expo open March 19–21.

GDC highlights include:

  • Hundreds of sessions across programming, art, narrative, business, and XR

  • The GDC Expo, showcasing new engines, tools, and hardware

  • GDC Play, alt.ctrl.GDC, and indie developer showcases

  • Networking lounges, community meetups, and game studio mixers

  • Game industry career development, recruitment, and portfolio reviews

Hotel Julian: Boutique Hospitality for Game Developers

If you're looking for a hotel near GDC in San Francisco, Hotel Julian delivers elegant comfort and convenient access to Moscone Center via rideshare or public transit. Located just off Union Square in the city’s creative corridor, Julian is a hotel that speaks your language—quiet when you need it, visually striking when you look up.

Why GDC attendees love Hotel Julian:

  • A short trip to Moscone Center by Muni or car

  • Comfortable, low-lit guest rooms perfect for recharging or writing postmortems

  • Exhibit A, our rotating outdoor sculpture series to inspire between builds

  • Carlotta’s Cocktail and Wine Bar—serving brunch every Saturday and Sunday, and perfect for dev meetups or solo escapes

Whether you're here for a panel on procedural worlds or to pitch your new engine, Julian offers a place to rest your body and reset your creativity.

Brunch Mode: Activated

Start your day in soft lighting and good company at Carlotta’s Cocktail and Wine Bar. Brunch is served every Saturday and Sunday, offering stylish plates, strong coffee, and cocktails built for both coders and creatives. Decompress. Debug. Brag about your demo. It’s your weekend—let’s make it playable.

Planning Your GDC Stay?

Hotels near Moscone Center fill fast for Game Developers Conference week. If you’re asking where to stay for GDC, Hotel Julian provides easy access to the convention and a thoughtful space to crash, collaborate, or simply catch your breath.

Book your stay at Hotel Julian—where creative minds reboot and brunch is always in beta.