Michael Turner
Recommendation: Arrange an on-site bag check through your event organizer or the venue’s show services before arrival; public walk-up deposit points inside the convention are uncommon and depend on each event’s setup.
Contact the venue operations or the show’s exhibitor services at least 48 hours ahead. The San Francisco convention center general line is (415) 974-4000; event pages typically list an exhibitor services email. Ask specifically for: exact bag/coat check location (lobby, registration, exhibitor service desk), hours of operation, per-item fees, and any size or item restrictions.
If on-site options are not provided, use hotel concierge holding or third-party networks such as Bounce, Vertoe and Stasher. Typical pricing runs roughly $5–$15 per item per day, with hourly or multi-day discounts on some platforms. Book online, save confirmation/QR code, and bring a photo ID at drop-off.
Before you drop a bag: remove passports, medications and high-value electronics; lock soft cases with a TSA-accepted lock when allowed; request a paper or digital receipt and verify the provider’s liability limits. Confirm pickup cutoff times if sessions or evening events run late.
Practical timing: arrive 30–60 minutes earlier than your first session to check items, verify wristband or exhibitor-only rules if applicable, and keep the exhibitor services phone or app confirmation handy for same-day changes.
On-site bag check at the W Building (San Francisco Convention Center)
Use the event’s on-site bag check when available; contact the show organizer or the venue concierge at least 7 days before arrival to confirm presence, hours and pricing.
Typical operational details: common opening hours mirror exhibit times (roughly 07:00–18:00 on show days), fees usually range $5–$10 per standard item and $10–20 for oversized pieces, identification and the issued claim ticket required at drop-off, maximum accepted hold often limited to 72 hours. Oversized, hazardous or unlocked items are frequently refused.
If no official bag check is provided
Use an app-based short-term bag service (examples: Bounce, Vertoe, Stasher, Bagbnb) or nearby hotel concierge. Booking steps: search availability for the event date, reserve and prepay online, note exact pickup address and operating hours. Price band: roughly $5–$12 per day; most partner locations sit within a 0.2–0.6 mile radius (about a 4–12 minute walk) from the W Building entrance.
Practical recommendations: label your item with name and phone, photograph the bag and the issued receipt/QR code, lock the main compartment, remove irreplaceable valuables (electronics, passports, medication) prior to drop-off, arrive 15–30 minutes before sessions to allow time for check-in, and retain the claim stub until collection. For multi-day holds, verify late pickup fees and insurance/declared-value limits before handing over the item.
On-site cloakroom and bag services at the convention center
Use the venue’s official coat check / bag-check desk located adjacent to the main registration area for short-term items; confirm hours on your event badge or the organiser’s FAQs before arrival.
Where to find it and when it operates
- Typical placement: next to the primary entrance or registration hall – follow signs labeled “Coat Check” or ask any staffed information desk.
- Hours: standard event-day coverage commonly begins with exhibitor load-in and runs through final evening sessions; some conferences extend service earlier or later for setup/strike days.
- Peak times: arrive 30–60 minutes before session starts to avoid queues during opening blocks and lunchtime.
Fees, rules and practical tips
- Fees and limits: expect per-item fees (common range: $5–$20 per piece depending on event scale); organisers publish exact rates on the event website.
- ID and claim process: you will receive a numbered claim ticket; retain this and present matching ID for retrieval. Lost-ticket procedures vary and can require staff verification.
- Prohibited items: firearms, hazardous materials and bulky crates are refused; clarify oversized or fragile items with the desk before drop-off.
- Valuables: keep passports, electronics and irreplaceable items with you – coat-check service rarely insures high-value contents.
- Alternatives if desk is full: reserve a third-party short-term bag app (examples: Bounce, Vertoe, LuggageHero), request hotel concierge holding, or use courier/same-day shipping to a local address.
- Event-specific exceptions: some trade shows operate a ticketed, off-site holding partner – verify via the organiser’s visitor guide and pre-book if available.
Hours of operation and busiest times for the convention center bag drop
Best practice: plan to deposit bags 30–45 minutes before keynote starts or exhibit-hall opening to avoid long queues; if arriving during exhibitor move-in or show opening day, add 60 minutes to that buffer.
Typical posted hours for show days: 07:00–19:00 Monday–Friday, 08:00–17:00 Saturday, 08:00–15:00 Sunday. On dedicated exhibitor move-in days the desk often opens earlier (06:00–07:00) and closes later (up to 20:00) for contractor access.
Peak service windows (expect waits of 20–60+ minutes): morning rush 07:30–09:30, lunchtime surge 11:30–13:30, late-afternoon exit 16:30–18:30. Low-traffic windows with typical waits under 10 minutes: 09:45–11:15 and 13:45–15:30.
| Day | Official hours | Typical busiest windows | Recommended arrival for minimal wait |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday (move-in) | 06:00–20:00 | 07:00–10:00 | 05:30–06:30 or 10:30–12:00 |
| Tuesday–Friday (show days) | 07:00–19:00 | 07:30–09:30, 11:30–13:30, 16:30–18:30 | 09:45–11:15 or 13:45–15:30 |
| Saturday | 08:00–17:00 | 09:00–11:00, 14:00–16:00 | 11:15–13:30 |
| Sunday (final day) | 08:00–15:00 | 08:30–10:30, 12:00–14:00 | 10:45–11:45 |
Practical tips: present a government ID and the event badge/confirmation, attach a clear tag with your name and phone, photograph bag contents and label electronics. For large or technical gear, secure drains and moisture-sensitive parts before drop-off; see specific maintenance guidance: how to remove water from air compressor tank effective methods and tips.
If peak times cannot be avoided, use the exhibitor or press-access counters (if eligible) which often maintain a separate, faster queue. For overnight hold requests, confirm desk policy on retention hours and retrieval windows at time of drop-off to prevent missed collection deadlines.
Prices, payment methods, and size limits for checked bags
Budget $8–$20 per item for a day check; oversized or heavy pieces typically carry additional surcharges.
- Typical rates
- Small personal item (backpack, tote): $5–$10 per day.
- Standard suitcase or carry-on: $8–$15 per day.
- Large checked-size case (>24″ height or >62 linear inches): $15–35 per day or a one-time oversized fee of $25–50.
- Special items (sports equipment, instrument cases): flat surcharge $25–60 depending on dimensions and handling needs.
- Multi-day/event-week pricing: daily fees apply; some providers cap weekly charges around $50–$75 per item–confirm before drop-off.
- Accepted payment methods
- Major credit and debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express).
- Contactless mobile wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay) commonly supported.
- Online prepayment through event or third-party portals available for some services; these may offer faster pickup.
- Cash acceptance varies–many operations prefer card-only. Bring a card to avoid delays.
- Keep the printed or digital receipt and tag number; ID is usually required at claim.
- Size and weight restrictions
- Standard acceptance: items up to roughly 24–26″ tall or up to 62 linear inches (length + width + height) for oversized handling.
- Carry-on-style limits commonly treated as up to 22 x 14 x 9 inches for no-extra-fee processing.
- Weight caps frequently set near 50 lb per item; overweight bags may be refused or incur a surcharge of $10–$30.
- Items exceeding published limits must be pre-arranged with the handler; unannounced oversized drops risk rejection or steep fees.
- Prohibited and restricted contents
- No hazardous materials: flammables, compressed gas, loose lithium batteries, aerosols in large quantities.
- Perishables, plants, and live animals typically not accepted.
- High-value items (large sums of cash, jewelry, fragile electronics) should remain with the owner; liability caps often low.
- Locked cases: staff may require access; use TSA-approved locks when possible or leave external zippers secured but accessible.
- Liability, claims, and extra fees
- Standard liability limits commonly range from $50 to $200 per item unless a declared-value option is purchased for an extra fee.
- Lost-tag or unclaimed-item processing fees often $25–75 in addition to recovery procedures.
- Damage claims require receipt, tag number, and proof of value; photograph items at drop-off to support claims.
- Practical recommendations
- Photograph bag and tag at drop-off; label an internal note with your contact details.
- Remove medications, important documents, and easily damaged items before handing over.
- If transporting oversized gear, contact the handler ahead to reserve space and confirm pricing by exact dimensions and weight.
Drop-off and pick-up procedures, required ID and receipts
Present a government-issued photo ID and the printed claim ticket at collection. Acceptable IDs: passport, state driver’s license, military ID; photocopies or expired IDs usually rejected.
At drop-off the attendant will: inspect each bag, affix a numbered tag to every piece, record tag numbers and brief contents on a deposit form, and print a receipt showing the claim number, drop time, number of items, and attendant initials. Keep that receipt until retrieval.
Receipts include a barcode or numeric claim ID that must match the physical bag tag. Photograph the receipt and tag(s) with your phone as a backup; images are accepted by staff if the paper ticket is lost but retrieval may require additional verification.
Third-party collection requires a written authorization signed by the depositor plus a clear photocopy or photo of the depositor’s government ID. The person picking up must present their own photo ID and the authorization document; company couriers should also show a dispatch manifest and driver ID.
If the original receipt is lost, staff will request: the depositor’s photo ID, the name shown on the deposit form, a signed affidavit describing the items and approximate drop-off time, and a photo of the bag(s) if available. Retrieval without the paper ticket typically triggers a manual inventory and manager approval, which can add 20–60 minutes.
Oversized, fragile, or labelled high-value items will be noted on the receipt with special markings (e.g., “oversize,” “fragile,” “valuables”); collection of those items may require the depositor to sign an additional condition form acknowledging state and condition of the item at drop-off.
All receipts should show the attendant’s initials and a printed or stamped desk location/booth number. For multi-item deposits, verify that tag numbers printed on the receipt match the tags actually attached to each piece before leaving the counter.
Missing-tag or mismatched-tag disputes: remain at the desk, request an immediate inventory check, and obtain a written incident reference number. Escalation beyond onsite staff requires a signed incident report and contact with venue operations for follow-up.
Security measures, insurance options and liability limits for stored items
Keep valuables on your person; declare items over $500 before handing them over and request written confirmation of declared value. For watches, cameras, laptops and jewelry, either carry them or buy declared-value coverage at drop-off desk; venues typically require a signed form for any protection above the basic cap.
Typical on-site protections: continuous CCTV coverage, locked cages or fenced bays, tamper-evident seals, barcode or RFID inventory tags, staff-managed chain-of-custody logs, and badge-controlled access to holding areas. Ask staff which of these exact controls apply and inspect seals at retrieval.
Standard liability limits most venues publish in their terms: common caps range from $25–$100 per item for unspecified contents and $200–$1,000 per bag when declared; absolute per-person maximums often sit between $500 and $2,000. Declared-value fees generally run $5–$20 per declared increment (check the facility’s posted schedule). Request a copy of the limit table and confirm the currency of limits for the event date.
Exclusions frequently include cash, negotiable instruments, passports, hazardous materials, perishables, and high-value items left without declaration. Claim requirements usually demand the original receipt, photo ID, proof of item ownership and submission within 24–72 hours of discovery; some operators set a 7–30 day deadline to file formal claims. Expect depreciation or deductible clauses on payouts – get those percentages in writing.
Alternative protections: (1) use travel insurance or homeowner/renter policies that cover checked property; (2) buy short-term declared-value insurance from third-party providers when venue caps are insufficient; (3) document items with timestamped photos and serial numbers, store serials in a separate email to yourself, and retain the facility-issued claim receipt. Credit-card purchase protection can cover recent electronics – check card terms before relying on it.
Before handing over any item, photograph the item, request a printed receipt showing declared value and liability limit, and confirm the claim filing window and contact details. For compact rain gear that won’t add bulk, consider packing a lightweight model such as best childrens umbrella australia.
Nearby third-party bag apps, lockers and reservation steps
Book through Stasher, Bounce, Vertoe, LuggageHero or BAGBNB at least 24–48 hours ahead of peak conference days; pick hosts rated 4.5+ with daytime hours that match your schedule.
Stasher – network of shops and hotels with per-item daily pricing; payments via card or Apple/Google Pay; booking supplies a QR code plus exact drop-off address and hours.
Bounce – app-based options with hourly and daily rates, live map of open hosts and in-app support; downtown San Francisco rates commonly range $6–$12 per item per day (confirm on app for current pricing).
Vertoe – short-term hourly pricing near transit hubs and tourist areas; filter results by “locker” or “merchant” and check listed size allowances before booking.
LuggageHero and BAGBNB – large networks of local businesses useful for evening pick-ups; many hosts accept oversized items for an added fee if notified in advance.
How to reserve: 1) open the chosen app or website and enter the convention-center address or your GPS pin; 2) set drop-off and pick-up dates and exact time windows; 3) choose a host or smart locker marked “instant” for self-service; 4) pay with card or mobile wallet and save the booking reference and QR; 5) confirm host hours and any extra size/fee rules via the listing’s details or chat.
Smart lockers versus merchant hosts: coin-operated lockers at transit stations are limited downtown; smart lockers (app-unlock with QR) appear at coworking spaces, hotels and transport hubs. Typical capacity: small for a daypack, medium for a 24–26″ suitcase, large for two checked-size cases. Contact the host before booking for sports gear, instruments or oddly shaped items.
Drop-off/Pick-up workflow: arrive within the booked window, present the QR/booking code plus photo ID when requested, photograph the sealed tag or locker compartment number, and retain the digital receipt until collection. For late-night pickups, confirm host closing time prior to booking.
Cancellation and dispute steps: check each listing’s cancellation window–many refund fully up to 24 hours before drop-off; after that, partial refunds or credits may apply. For missing or damaged items, open an in-app dispute, attach time-stamped photos from drop-off and pickup, and escalate to platform support if the host response is insufficient.
