September 2026
Saturday · 10am–6pm
Sunday · 10am–5pm
All times Pacific.
THE BAY AREA FIELD GUIDE · SEPTEMBER 2026
Pokémon fans,
meet the Bay.
A little collecting. A little exploring. A weekend worth keeping.
Your independent guide to Collect-A-Con, with the right destination, a lighter bag, and room to enjoy the day.
01 / THE ESSENTIALS
Your weekend, on four cards.
San Mateo Event Center
Expo & Fiesta Hall
1346 Saratoga Drive
San Mateo, CA 94403
Little collectors welcome
The organizer lists free admission for children seven and under. Check current adult tickets and entry terms before booking.
Cards, cosplay & culture
Trading cards, anime and pop culture, including Pokémon. Pick a few priorities instead of trying to see everything.
Dates and venue: San Mateo Event Center. Admission, guests and schedules: Collect-A-Con. Checked September 9, 2026; confirm updates before leaving.
02 / LESS GUESSWORK
Get to the right door.
This is a Peninsula trip from San Francisco. Use the San Mateo destination when checking your journey.
Open directions ↗- Driving
The venue lists $20 parking per vehicle, with no in/out. Budget parking separately from admission.
- Rideshare
The venue’s listed drop-off is 2544 S. Delaware Street, San Mateo. Use that address for drop-off.
- Public transport
Check live connections and the final leg before you go. Caltrain’s official site ↗
03 / CHOOSE YOUR OWN SIDE QUEST
Leave room for the good bits.
The collector
Write down three wanted cards and a maximum spend. Browse first, compare condition, then decide. A good find beats a rushed purchase.
The family adventure
Let each child choose one must-see. Pick a meeting point together and plan a food break. Ask staff about re-entry before leaving the halls.
The gentler day
Keep the plan short and allow breaks. Blind visitors and anyone needing access support should contact the venue before travel to confirm assistance and entrances.
Venue contact & ADA links ↗
04 / PACK SMALL. ENJOY MORE.
Your collector’s pocket list.
Tick these before heading out. Progress lasts while this page stays open. Check the organizer’s bag and food rules.
0 of 6 ready
Build a full travel checklist ↗BEFORE YOU GO
A few good questions.
Is this a Pokémon-only convention?
No. Collect-A-Con covers trading cards, anime and wider pop culture, with Pokémon among its featured interests. It is separate from PokémonXP and the Pokémon World Championships.
Is the event in downtown San Francisco?
No. The advertised “San Francisco” event is at San Mateo Event Center. Do not route to Moscone Center for this event.
Where can I check tickets and guest times?
Use the organizer’s ticket and schedule links. Prices, availability and guest appearances can change. Atherverse does not sell event tickets.
Can I follow this guide without seeing the images?
Yes. Dates, addresses, travel notes and the checklist are all available as text. Use Tab to reach links and checkboxes, and Space to tick a checkbox. The illustrations contain no essential directions.
05 / MAKE A LITTLE ROOM AROUND THE EVENT
One neighborhood. A few good stops.
Choose a stop to view its map. All the same information is in the cards below. These are separate destinations, not a verified accessible walking route.
Your next stop starts here.
Select “Show map” below to load Google Maps.
START HERE
San Mateo Event Center
Collect-A-Con in Expo & Fiesta Hall. Ask staff about accessible entrances and assistance.
Venue access guide ↗FRESH AIR
Bay Meadows Park
A park break in the neighborhood. The city lists the park at 301 East 28th Avenue. Check current facilities before relying on a stop.
City parks information ↗FOOD + PLAY
Pinstripes at Hillsdale
Bistro dining, bowling and bocce at Hillsdale. Check menus, availability and reservations directly.
Dining details ↗TRAIN CONNECTION
Hillsdale Caltrain
Caltrain lists Hillsdale as wheelchair accessible. Confirm service, elevator status and your route from the station separately.
Caltrain access information ↗Sources checked September 9, 2026. Opening hours, toilets, seating and step-free routes are not independently audited. Consult the venue’s ADA guide for event access and parking directions. Allow time for food and travel; confirm re-entry before leaving the event.
06 / YOUR PLAN, READY TO SEND
Make a weekend postcard.
ATHERVERSE · YOUR WEEKEND
Meet me in the Bay.
Collect-A-Con · San Mateo
Saturday, September 12, 2026
10am–6pm Pacific
A relaxed visit
Your postcard is created on your device. No sign-up needed. Download it as an image, or share your text plan.
Add Saturday to calendar ↓Calendar download includes event hours, venue and ticket link. This is a planning reminder, not an entry ticket. Check updates with the organizer.
KEEP EXPLORING / BEYOND THIS WEEKEND
The adventure doesn’t end on Sunday.
Places and official calendars to explore year-round. Berkeley and San Francisco are separate trips from the San Mateo venue.
Games of Berkeley
A game shop with gaming rooms and organized play, including Pokémon. Check the store’s current schedule before traveling.
Explore the shop ↗The Game Parlour, San Francisco
A board-game café for a different kind of play day. Check its current menu, admission and reservations.
Plan a café visit ↗Find your next Pokémon event
Use the official locator to find local tournaments. Dates, formats and registration are managed by the organizers.
Official tournament finder ↗Independent suggestions, checked September 9, 2026. No specific future session or ticket availability is promised.
BETTER WITH YOUR PEOPLE