Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

For Bay Area Maker Faire

What is MAKE Magazine?
MAKE magazine is a quarterly, project-based magazine dedicated to celebrating the “Do-It-Yourself” (DIY) spirit. MAKE was coined "Martha Stewart For Geeks" by Newsweek's Stephen Levy.

Our mission at MAKE Magazine is to unite, inspire, inform, and entertain a growing community of highly imaginative and resourceful people who undertake amazing projects in their backyards, basements, and garages. We call these people “Makers.”

What are the opening hours for the public?
Saturday, May 19th – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday, May 20th – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

How to I get to the San Mateo County Expo Center?
Follow this link for local driving directions. Here are links to the location on Map Quest and Google Maps. If you're coming from or through San Francisco on Sunday, you may want to check the street closures due to the Bay to Breakers race and plan your travel accordingly.

Where can I park?
Parking is available at the Expo Center for $7/day per car.

Is public transportation available?
Yes; SamTrans and Caltrain provide convenient and cost-effective service. Three SamTrans routes provide service to the Expo Center from throughout the county and San Francisco. Route 292 provides direct service. Routes 390 and 391 offer service along El Camino Real with a stop at 25th Avenue, two blocks west of the Expo grounds. Caltrain stops at the Hillsdale station, close to the Expo Center, as well as at the adjacent Bay Meadows station during horse racing.

How much are the tickets?
Advance Purchase Ticket Prices:
Single Day: Adult $10.00, Student under 21 $5.00, 12 and under $2.50
Weekend Pass: Adult $15.00, Student under 21 $10.00, 12 and under $5.00

Onsite Purchase Ticket Prices:
Single Day: Adult $15.00, Student under 21 $10.00, 12 and under $5.00
Weekend Pass: Adult $20.00, Student under 21 $15.00, 12 and under $5.00

Where can I buy tickets?
Advance tickets for the Maker Faire for the general public and can be purchased online. Onsite purchases at the San Mateo Fairgrounds will be cash only.

Will there be ATM machines onsite?
Yes, ATM machines will be onsite. To avoid waiting in line, it is best to bring cash for entrance fees and food.

Will there be food onsite?
Yes, there is food available onsite, and our goal this year is to have “healthier” food available. Unfortunately, you cannot bring outside food to the fairgrounds. If you have special dietary needs, please make sure you eat before you come.

What is Swap-O-Rama-Rama?
Swap-O-Rama-Rama is a communal process of creative reuse. It’s time to clean out your closet and get rid of all of those unloved items. Dig out the clothes you bought, thinking “I’ll fit into it one day,” the gifts that made you wonder how well your Aunt Marilyn really knows you, and the stuff you’re hanging on to thinking it may come back into fashion. Let it go! Come to the Swap with a bag of unwanted clothing items; once inside, you can look through the piles of clothes there and choose “new” items.

Once you’ve picked your new favorite duds, bring them over to the “Do It Yourself” (DIY) stations where you can learn to create new from old. Work with skilled designers to modify your finds into something special. Try silk-screening your new clothes, or explore a mass of bows, buttons, decals, and other notions at the decoration stations. Learn mod tricks from the pros in workshops on unique clothing modifications and recycling skills.

This event will be located in Cypress Hall at the Maker Faire.

Swap-O-Rama-Rama is for boys, girls, men, and women. Any leftover clothing will be donated to local charities.

What should I bring to Swap-O-Rama-Rama?
Old clothes and accessories such as jackets, hats, pants, shirts, skirts, shoes, gloves, belts, accessories, jewelry, sunglasses, bags, costumes, lingerie, pajamas, etc. and an empty bag to carry all of the neat things you will accumulate!

Just remember, if you can’t wear it, don’t bring it! Quantity is not important. Come with a little or a lot, whatever you’ve got.

What is Bazaar Bizarre?
Bazaar Bizarre is an offbeat entertainment extravaganza featuring handmade goods such as handbags, ornaments, stationery, accessories, journals, and silk-screened T-shirts. Bazaar Bizarre began in 2001 in the Boston area as a hodge-podge of friends and acquaintances cobbling together to sell their handcrafted wares.

What is MAKE Play Day?
After wandering around the Maker Faire and getting inspired by the creative people you’ve met and the creative projects you’ve seen, you have the opportunity to be creative yourself. There will be workshops on both days of the Maker Faire during regular Faire hours with electronics, construction materials, and assistance available to help you turn that creative doodle in your head into something physical.

Will there be workshops like last year?
Yes, there will be workshops running throughout the duration of the Maker Faire. Unfortunately, you will not be able to pre-register for a workshop.

Will you have recycling this year?
Recycling bins will be available to collect paper, plastic, and glass.

Are there hotels nearby?
San Mateo Marriot
1770 S Amphlett Blvd,
San Mateo, 94402
Reservations: (650) 653-6000

The Crowne Plaza
1221 Chess Drive
Foster City, CA 94404
Reservations: 1-800-381-9553

Hilton Garden Inn San Mateo
2000 Bridgepointe Circle
San Mateo, CA 94404
650-522-9000

You can find other area accomodations via the San Mateo Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Can we bring strollers?
Yes.

Are backpacks allowed?
Yes, you can bring in a backpack. Just remember, no food or bottles. There will be onsite security at the gates.

Can we bring dogs on leashes?
No. Dogs are not allowed at the San Mateo County Fairgrounds.

What if it rains?
The show will go on! Bring rain gear to keep you dry when walking outdoors. Fortunately, we will have many indoor exhibits to keep the family dry.

What can I expect?
To have the time of your life! You’ll be surprised and intrigued with every corner that you turn.