SaaStr Annual: Hotels & Where to Stay
May San Mateo County Event Center 12,500+ attendees
Find Hotels Near San Mateo County Event Center- Lock today's hotel rate
- Pay over up to 16 weeks
- Business invoices
- Free cancellation rooms
SaaStr Annual 2026, now billed as SaaStr AI Annual, runs 12-14 May at the San Mateo County Event Center in the heart of the SF Bay Area, gathering 12,500-plus SaaS and AI founders, revenue leaders and venture investors. It is deliberately un-corporate for its size: a campus-style event with outdoor networking spaces, 100-plus tactical workshops, executive summits for CROs, CMOs and CCOs, and a matchmaking app that schedules thousands of one-on-ones between founders and the VCs who fund them. The venue's location is the catch for travellers: San Mateo is a mid-Peninsula suburb, not a convention city, so the modest hotel stock in downtown San Mateo, Burlingame and Redwood City gets absorbed quickly, and latecomers end up commuting down the 101 from San Francisco. This page shows live, bookable rates around the Event Center so you can secure a genuinely close room before the ecosystem takes them.
Popular areas for attendees: Downtown San Mateo · Burlingame · Redwood City.
- Hotels curated by real distance to the San Mateo County Event Center, across San Mateo, Burlingame and Redwood City
- Live 4-5 star rates in a Peninsula market with limited supply that SaaStr week absorbs fast
- Free-cancellation priority, matching how startup teams confirm passes and travel late
- Instant tax invoice at booking for clean startup and VC expense records
Event at a glance
- Dates
- May
- Venue
- San Mateo County Event Center
- City
- San Mateo, USA
- Airport
- SFO
- Attendance
- 12,500+
Recommended Hotels for Business Travellers
Lock today's hotel rate
Reserve early and spread payments over up to 16 weeks.
Business invoices
Add company details during checkout.
Stay close to the venue
Hotels ranked by walking distance.
Flexible bookings
Pay Weekly available on free cancellation rooms.
Rates shown for the event window, Sat, Oct 31 → Tue, Nov 3 (arrive the day before, leave the day after) — or choose your own dates above.
Hotel rates near major event venues rise as the dates approach and the closest hotels sell out first. Booking a free-cancellation rate early locks the price with no downside.
On the map
The venue, your hotel options and where to eat — all in one view. Tap the map to explore it full screen.
Free SaaStr Annual Insider Guide
Do SaaStr Annual the easy way. Get our curated guide — plus first access to near-venue rooms before they sell out.
- The best hotels within walking distance of the venue
- Where to host clients for dinner near the halls
- How to beat the sold-out fair-week rooms
We'll email your guide and occasional SaaStr Annual hotel deals. Unsubscribe anytime.
Need to expense this trip? Business invoices available at checkout.
Where to eat during SaaStr Annual
Downtown San Mateo, one of the Bay Area's most underrated food neighborhoods, is a 5-minute drive from the San Mateo County Event Center - B Street and the surrounding blocks pack in serious Japanese food, Italian and taquerias.
Pausa Bar & Cookery
Italian
Downtown San Mateo, ~5 min drive from the Event Center
House-cured salumi, handmade pasta and a strong Italian wine list in a warm, modern room - the go-to downtown San Mateo choice for a client dinner.
Tip: Reserve ahead; the salumi board is the move to start.
Open in Google Maps
Espetus Churrascaria
Brazilian steakhouse
Downtown San Mateo
All-you-can-eat rodizio with tableside carved meats - a crowd-pleasing, no-decisions-needed option for entertaining a group after a trade show day.
Tip: Go hungry and pace yourself; the picanha comes late in the rotation.
Open in Google Maps
Sushi Sam's Edomata
Japanese / sushi
Downtown San Mateo
A Peninsula institution for high-quality, fairly priced edomae sushi - regulars sit at the bar and order omakase.
Tip: No reservations; arrive before the doors open to beat the line.
Open in Google Maps
Ramen Dojo
Japanese ramen
South B Street, downtown San Mateo
One of the famous ramen shops on San Mateo's 'ramen row' - garlicky, rich soy-based bowls with a cult following and near-permanent queue.
Tip: Cash-friendly and quick turnover; the wait moves faster than it looks.
Open in Google Maps
Pancho Villa Taqueria
Mexican
South B Street, downtown San Mateo
The San Mateo outpost of the Mission District favorite - overstuffed burritos and grilled-meat plates, in and out in 15 minutes.
Tip: The carne asada super burrito is the benchmark order.
Open in Google Maps
Philz Coffee
Coffee
Downtown San Mateo
Bay Area cult coffee chain known for customized pour-overs - a solid pre-event caffeine stop with plenty of seating for a casual meeting.
Tip: Try the Mint Mojito iced coffee, the house signature.
Open in Google MapsAfter the halls close: San Mateo
Client dinner, team night out or a free day after SaaStr Annual — bookable experiences in San Mateo, same account, same checkout.
While you're in San Mateo
San Mateo puts you mid-Peninsula, within 30-40 minutes of the entire Bay Area sports calendar - the 49ers at Levi's Stadium are especially close, and the county fair happens at the Event Center itself.
San Francisco 49ers (Levi's Stadium)
NFL Sundays at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, roughly 20-25 minutes south of San Mateo - the closest major stadium to the Event Center.
Find ticketsSan Francisco Giants (Oracle Park)
Baseball on the bay at one of America's most scenic ballparks, ~25 minutes north by Caltrain from San Mateo.
Find ticketsGolden State Warriors (Chase Center)
NBA basketball at Chase Center in San Francisco's Mission Bay - premium tickets, but an easy Caltrain ride from San Mateo.
Find ticketsSan Mateo County Fair
The county fair takes over the San Mateo County Event Center itself each June - concerts, food and classic fairgrounds Americana.
Find ticketsFixtures recur each season; exact dates for your fair week are confirmed at ticket search.
Getting there
From San Francisco International (SFO)
- SFO is only about 15 km north of San Mateo; rideshares and taxis take 15-25 minutes and typically cost USD 30-50
- By transit, take BART one stop to Millbrae and change to a southbound Caltrain for San Mateo-area stations
- The Event Center is roughly 1.5 km from Hayward Park Caltrain station, a walk or short rideshare hop
- SFO's proximity means morning arrivals can realistically land and make an 11:00 session
From San Jose (SJC) or via Caltrain from San Francisco
- San Jose Mineta (SJC) is about 40 km south, a 30-45 minute drive up the 101, and often has competitive domestic fares
- Caltrain's electrified line runs frequently between San Francisco, the Peninsula and San Jose; San Mateo and Hillsdale stations bracket the venue area
- Pay Caltrain with a Clipper card or contactless card; the ride from San Francisco takes about 30-40 minutes
- If you stay in San Francisco, budget 45-75 minutes door to door in morning 101 traffic by car, or take Caltrain to skip it
Getting around during SaaStr Annual
Getting to the San Mateo County Event Center daily
- The Event Center is at 1346 Saratoga Drive, just off US-101 at the Hillsdale/Highway 92 interchange
- From downtown San Mateo or Hayward Park station it is a 20-25 minute walk or a five-minute rideshare
- On-site parking exists but fills early on keynote mornings, and the neighbourhood queues at the 08:30 peak; rideshare drop-off is usually smoother
- From Burlingame hotels, allow 10-15 minutes by car outside peak and double that at opening time
Around San Mateo and the Peninsula
- Caltrain is the spine of the Peninsula; a Clipper card covers it plus SamTrans local buses
- Rideshare coverage is excellent across San Mateo, Burlingame and Redwood City, with short waits outside event peaks
- Evening side events split between downtown San Mateo, Burlingame Avenue and San Francisco; the city is a 30-40 minute Caltrain ride away
- The 101 corridor jams in both commute directions, so schedule cross-Peninsula meetings outside 07:30-09:30 and 16:00-18:30
Visa & entry
Visa-free / visa on arrival
- Citizens of about 40 Visa Waiver Program countries, including the UK, most of the EU, Japan, South Korea, Australia and Singapore, attend with an approved ESTA
- ESTA costs around USD 40 and should be submitted at least 72 hours before flying
- Canadian founders and investors enter visa-free for conferences without ESTA
eVisa / visa required
- Founders from India, China, Brazil, Nigeria, Turkey and most other countries need a B-1/B-2 visitor visa with a consular interview
- Interview backlogs at some posts run to months, so start early; attending a conference and meeting investors are legitimate B-1 activities, but be precise about purpose
- Chinese nationals with 10-year visas must keep EVUS enrolment current
Documents to carry
- Carry your SaaStr ticket confirmation and company details to evidence the business purpose of your visit
- Keep hotel and return-ticket information accessible on arrival
- Founders pitching investors should be ready to explain they are visiting for meetings and a conference, not taking up US employment
US entry rules and fees change, so verify current requirements with the US embassy or official government sources before booking.
First time at SaaStr Annual?
- Fire up the SaaStr matchmaking app the moment it opens and request meetings early, because well-known VCs' calendars close well before the event
- Arrive Monday 11 May to settle in; badge pickup lines on the Tuesday opening morning are the longest of the week
- The event is largely campus-style with outdoor networking areas, so dress in layers for Bay Area May weather that swings between cool mornings and warm afternoons
- Workshops and the executive summits cap attendance, so pre-register for the ones that matter rather than assuming walk-in access
- Book a Peninsula hotel, not a San Francisco one, unless you enjoy 101 traffic twice a day
Insider tips from repeat attendees
- Day three is markedly quieter, and it is the best day to catch speakers and investors who were mobbed after their sessions earlier in the week
- The real meetings happen at the picnic tables and sponsor lounges between stages, not in the session halls; leave deliberate gaps in your schedule
- Food trucks on site beat the queues at the main catering points if you eat before 12:00 or after 13:30
- Burlingame Avenue has the Peninsula's best dinner strip near the venue, and its hotels put you closer to SFO for an early flight out
SaaStr Annual travel FAQs
Where should I stay for SaaStr Annual?
Downtown San Mateo puts you a short hop from the Event Center with restaurants on your doorstep, while Burlingame offers a bigger cluster of business hotels 10-15 minutes away near SFO. Redwood City is a solid third option down the Caltrain line; staying in San Francisco means a 45-75 minute commute each way.
How much do hotels cost during SaaStr Annual?
The mid-Peninsula has limited hotel supply, so SaaStr week pushes San Mateo and Burlingame rates well above normal and the closest properties sell out first. Prices rise as inventory shrinks rather than falling with last-minute deals.
How early should I book hotels for SaaStr Annual?
Two to three months ahead is the safe window for a room genuinely near the venue, and earlier if your team needs multiple rooms. Free-cancellation rates make early booking risk-free while passes and plans firm up.
Which airport do I fly into for SaaStr Annual?
San Francisco International (SFO) is only 15-25 minutes from the venue and is the obvious choice. San Jose (SJC) works as an alternative about 35-45 minutes south, and Oakland (OAK) is usable but involves crossing the Bay.
Is SaaStr Annual worth it for early-stage founders?
Yes, if you work the matchmaking system: the event's density of VCs and scaled-SaaS operators is hard to replicate, and thousands of scheduled one-on-ones happen across the three days. Founders who arrive with a booked meeting calendar and clear asks consistently report more value than those who rely on stage content.
EventEscapes is an independent travel platform and is not affiliated with SaaStr Annual or its organizers. Dates and venues can change — verify with the official event site before booking travel.