October 22 – 25, 2026
Two-conference weekend — SeaGL in Seattle, then PyBeach by the Pacific
Everything you need to know before the trip — money, weather, transport, and practical essentials.
The US uses the US Dollar ($). Cards are accepted virtually everywhere in both Seattle and Santa Monica. Bring $50–100 cash for the rare cash-friendly taco stand and for tips.
Tipping is expected in the US: 18–20% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 for coffee or taco counters, 15–20% for rideshares. Your Canadian Visa/Mastercard and Apple Pay work fine everywhere.
A two-conference weekend across Seattle and Santa Monica runs roughly $350–500 CAD/day with three flights and two hotels. SeaGL is free; walking everywhere in both cities keeps costs down.
Cool and likely damp — typically 8–14°C with a good chance of rain. Pack a warm layer and a packable rain shell for the SeaGL day on the UW campus.
Warm and sunny — around 20–24°C by day, cooler by the water at night. Bring a swimsuit, sunglasses, and sunscreen; the UV is strong even in fall.
You jump from rainy Pacific NW to sunny SoCal in a day. Pack versatile layers and keep it to a carry-on — the multi-leg routing leaves no time to wait on checked bags.
YVR → SEA (Thu) is a short ~1h hop (or drive / Amtrak Cascades ~4h). SEA → LAX (Fri evening, ~2h45m) after SeaGL. LAX → YVR (Sun, ~2h50m) home. Leave a comfortable buffer after your SeaGL talk before the flight south.
Seattle: Link light rail reaches the U District and SEA airport; tap with ORCA or a card. LA: the Metro reaches Santa Monica, but rideshare is simplest for the LAX transfer and the Venice taco run.
Both bases are walkable. In Seattle the HUB, The Ave, and U District hotels are all close together. In Santa Monica the venue, Promenade, pier, and restaurants are within a few blocks.
Uber and Lyft are everywhere in both cities. LAX uses the LAX-it lot for pickups — allow extra time. Short in-town rides are $10–20.
SeaGL is a free, community-run free-software conference at the UW Husky Union Building, held Oct 23–24 (moved from November due to a venue conflict). CFP submitted — if the talk is accepted, confirm your room, time slot, and AV ahead of time.
PyBeach is a single-day, volunteer-run Python conference at the intimate Illusion Magic Lounge. Buy your ticket early (seating is limited) and lean into the small, friendly hallway track.
You're in taco country in both cities. In Seattle hit Carmelo's on The Ave for birria/quesabirria; in LA, Teddy's Red Tacos (Venice) is the birria icon — dip the quesatacos in the consomé.
Keep the tradition going at both stops: Molly Moon's on The Ave near the HUB, then McConnell's on the Third Street Promenade by the PyBeach venue.