Moscone Center: event and exhibition space

Moscone Center is the premier convention and exhibition complex in San Francisco.

It is located at: 747 Howard St, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA.

The venue is situated in the SoMa district, next to Yerba Buena Gardens, SFMOMA, hotels, restaurants, and the city’s business district.

For exhibitors, this is a powerful combination: high foot traffic, a recognizable address, and an urban environment where it’s easy to continue business discussions over dinner or coffee after the show.

Video about Moscone Center

A great introduction is this short video about the major expansion of the Moscone Center.

History of Moscone Center: From Underground Hall to San Francisco’s Tech Stage

Moscone Center has grown in phases. The first section, Moscone South, was completed in 1981.

• 1981: Moscone South opened. The main exhibition level was placed below ground to reduce the building’s visual impact on the neighborhood.
• 1991-1992: Esplanade Ballroom and Moscone North were added.
• 2003: Moscone West opened — a separate three-level building for exhibitions, sessions, and receptions.
• 2018-2019: Major renovation of Moscone North and South was completed, making the complex brighter, more modern, and better suited for large-scale events.

Advantages of Moscone Center for Event Participants

This venue excels for events where fast movement, a high-tech atmosphere, and strong business credentials matter.

• Over 790,000 square feet of flexible exhibition space.
• Over 502,000 square feet of contiguous space when Moscone North and South are booked together.
• Capacity for up to 2,300 standard 10’ x 10’ booths on the North/South exhibition level.
• 20 loading docks with direct access to the North/South exhibition level.
• Moscone West adds another 290,000+ square feet of flexible space across three levels.
• The entire complex holds LEED Platinum certification.

Moscone Center Exhibition Halls: North, South, and West

The campus consists of three main buildings: Moscone North, Moscone South, and Moscone West.

Moscone North/South: Halls A-F

• Halls ABC: 244,383 sq ft. Dimensions 290’ x 797’. Ceiling height 37’. Capacity for up to 1,184 booths (10’ x 10’).
• Hall A: 86,204 sq ft. Up to 7,392 people in theater setup.
• Hall B: 50,787 sq ft. Up to 6,965 people in theater setup.
• Hall C: 107,392 sq ft. Up to 9,408 people in theater setup.
• Halls D & E: flexible carpeted spaces. Used as exhibition halls or breakout areas.
• Hall F: 138,780 sq ft. Ceiling height 28’.

Moscone West

• Level 1 Exhibit Hall: 96,660 sq ft. Dimensions 315’ x 290’. Ceiling height 27’. Capacity for up to 500 booths (10’ x 10’).
• Level 2: approximately 88,450 sq ft in full configuration. Space can be divided with movable walls.
• Level 3: flexible space for sessions, receptions, and business programs.

Conference Halls and Event Spaces at Moscone Center

Moscone Center is ideal for events where the exhibition runs alongside keynotes, training sessions, and private meetings.

• Esplanade Ballroom: an excellent venue for plenary sessions, receptions, and major presentations.
• Moscone South Level 2 Ballroom: 50,000 sq ft, column-free, capacity for 5,500+ people in theater seating.
• Moscone South Level 3: flexible meeting rooms for groups from 10 to 1,400 people.
• Moscone West Level 2: up to 19 session rooms. Perfect for educational tracks and concurrent presentations.
• Outdoor terraces: great for lounges, receptions, and informal networking.

Moscone Center Infrastructure: Supporting Confident Exhibiting

• Telecom and Internet Services: order solutions for booths, registration, apps, and live demos.
• Food & Beverage: in-booth catering and services for special events are available.
• Rigging: clear rules for suspension points, banners, and load capacities. Essential for hanging structures and branding elements.
• Freight Handling: hand-carry is allowed for small items, but carts and dollies are not permitted in lobbies, passenger elevators, or escalators.
• Prime Urban Location: numerous hotels and restaurants are nearby. Teams can stay close to the venue and rely less on transportation.

How to Get to Moscone Center

Its Downtown San Francisco location is one of the venue’s biggest advantages.

Public Transportation

• BART: Powell St and Montgomery Street stations are about two blocks away.
• MUNI Metro: Yerba Buena/Moscone station is right across the street.
• Caltrain: 4th & Townsend station is within a short walking distance.
• San Francisco Bay Ferry: after arriving at the Ferry Terminal, connect to city transport.

By Car and Rideshare

• Moscone Center has no on-site parking. Use nearby public garages.
• Dedicated drop-off and pick-up zones are available for taxis and rideshares.
• The no-idling rule applies in driveways: engines must be turned off if vehicles wait longer than 5 minutes.

Walking and Biking

• If you’re staying in Union Square, SoMa, or the Financial District, walking is often more convenient than taking a taxi.
• San Francisco has an extensive network of bike lanes. Check the latest map before planning your cycling route.

Tips for Visitors to Moscone Center

• Check the building in advance. North, South, and West are close together but have different entrances.
• Schedule meetings at clear landmarks: lobby, Esplanade, Yerba Buena Gardens, or the registration area.
• Use BART or MUNI during peak hours. In downtown San Francisco, public transit is often faster than driving.
• Wear comfortable shoes. On large shows, walking between halls adds up by mid-day.
• For business dinners, book restaurants in SoMa and Union Square in advance. Spots fill up quickly during major events.

Key Events and Records at Moscone Center

Moscone Center has long been associated with world-class technology, medical, gaming, and business events.

• Dreamforce: Salesforce’s flagship event and a major annual driver of business traffic in San Francisco.
• Game Developers Conference: the key gathering for the gaming industry.
• RSA Conference: a leading cybersecurity event.
• Macworld Expo and Apple WWDC: historically significant events that strengthened Moscone’s reputation as a tech hub.
• LEED Platinum: a strong selling point for companies with ESG priorities.

Requirements for Participants at Moscone Center Events

Below are key rules to consider before finalizing your booth design.

• Fire Management and Plans
  • Floor plans must show stages, platforms, audio/visual positions, double-deck booths, enclosed structures, and vehicles.
  • Clear access to exits, aisles, fire extinguishers, and other safety equipment must be maintained.
• Freight and Hand-Carry
  • Hand-carry through the lobby is permitted only for small items that can be carried in one trip.
  • Carts and dollies are not allowed in the lobby, passenger elevators, or escalators.
• Parking and Loading
  • There is no on-site parking available.
  • South Driveway is used for loading/unloading. Continuous parking is not permitted.
• Signage and Banners
  • Hanging signs and banners must comply with approved rigging guidelines.
  • Nothing may be attached to glass railings.
  • Airwall tracks cannot be used for suspension.
• Terraces
  • Only waste recycling service is permitted on terraces.
  • Glassware and serving in glass containers are not allowed.
  • Amplified sound requires separate approval from the City of San Francisco.

Exhibition Stand for Moscone Center: Design & Rental by ESBAU

Exhibiting at Moscone Center means reaching an audience that expects strong brands and efficient solutions.

At ESBAU we help companies stand out with confidence: from concept and 3D design to production, logistics, installation, and dismantle.

• Need an eye-catching product presentation? Order custom exhibition stand construction tailored to your goals, square footage, and visitor flow.
• Want to launch faster while keeping budget under control? Choose exhibition stand rental with full brand customization.

Send us the event name, hall number, stand size, and dates. We will propose a professional solution that complies with Moscone Center regulations and supports your business objectives.