To the rest of the world, nothing represents the allure of California like San Diego.
“Whenever you think of southern California, you’re thinking of San Diego,” says Joe Terzi, president and CEO of the San Diego Tourism Authority. “Culturally, it is the classic southern California beach town.”
Even so, there’s a lot to see beyond those sun-soaked, mellow beachfronts. Throw in world-renowned attractions like the San Diego Zoo and Sea World, the Spanish mission history of Old Town, the mountains of North San Diego County or the hiking and backpacking of the eastern region, and the country’s eighth-largest city has something for everyone.
“Attendance is strong when meetings are here,” Terzi says. “San Diego continues to be one of the most sought-after destinations in the country.”
The city has also set its sights on the global traveler, with new nonstop flights available from London and Tokyo to San Diego International Airport and continuing improvements to the infrastructure.
“It’s important to us to stay engaged and take advantage of the expected growth in international travel,” says Terzi. He added that growth is expected to rise in the double digits in the next few years.
Downtown San Diego
San Diego’s compact city environment revolves around the downtown area, which features major attractions such as Balboa Park’s San Diego Zoo and impressive museums as well as Petco Park, home to the San Diego Padres. Downtown also boasts the Gaslamp District, a 12-block area packed with a diverse selection of restaurants and entertainment.
One major development happening in downtown is the expansion of the San Diego Convention Center. Slated for completion by the end of 2016, the expansion will add 1 million square feet to the current 2.6 million square feet, according to Terzi. After renovations are finished, the facility will offer new exhibit space, an 80,000-square-foot ballroom and even a waterpark. The expanded convention center will better fit the continued progress of San Diego, including a current inventory of 11,000 rooms downtown. Another nine hotels are under construction or planned throughout the city, which will add more than 850 rooms by the end of 2014.
Just a few minutes from the heart of downtown along San Diego Bay is the Embarcadero district, filled with shopping and attractions for downtime excursions and group events. Seaport Village offers the perfect place for spouse activities, with shopping, dining and sites like the 1895 Loof Carousel, a working carousel featuring hand-carved animals. Off-site group venues include the USS Midway Museum, located on Navy Pier, or the Maritime Museum of San Diego, with a stunning collection of historic ships. Planners can choose from a variety of ships for their event, from the Star of India, the world’s oldest operating sailing ship, to a sailing charter aboard the 1847 cutter replica, the Californian.
In addition to the convention center, meetings-friendly hotels in the downtown area include the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego and San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina. PageBreak
Coronado
Across the bay from Seaport Village is Coronado, a beach town built on an isthmus jetting out from the mainland. Gentle waves, flat geography and sparkling, mica-flecked sand make this beach a welcoming delight; in fact, Coronado Beach often tops the list of best beaches in the country. Built in the 1880s as a fashionable seaside resort town, Coronado offers a relaxed atmosphere of water sports like surfing and boogie boarding along with shopping, golfing and biking.
The Hotel del Coronado, built in 1888 and now a National Historic Landmark, is both an attraction and a resort. Past guests have included eleven U.S. Presidents, Babe Ruth, Thomas Edison and even Britain’s King Edward VIII while he was still Prince of Wales. The facility offers more than 65,000 square feet of flexible meeting space for events, or groups can arrange for a private guided tour of the site. The Coronado Visitors Center has a variety of tours available for groups, including history tours, nature walking tours and art tours. Next door to the visitors center is the Museum of History and Art, which details the fascinating, colorful history of the town. The museum also has speakers available for group events.
Also available for planners is the Loews Coronado Bay Resort, located on a private 80-slip marina. Each of the 439 rooms has incredible views of the bay, marina, pool or garden. The facility also offers three outdoor swimming pools, three tennis courts, a spa and 65,000 square feet of meeting space.
Old Town/Mission Valley
“Old Town is the birthplace of San Diego and California itself,” Terzi says. “Everyone thinks of the Gold Rush [as the beginning] but that happened later.”
The Old Town area, like most of San Diego’s regions, is a mere 10 minutes away from downtown and is one of the most popular areas for visitors, according to Terzi.
“It’s a part of San Diego visitors really enjoy,” he says. “It’s free, and there are a lot of great attractions.”
The first Spanish mission was founded here in 1769, and several mission buildings are still standing today, most of them still in use as religious facilities. The very first permanent mission on Presidio Hill now houses the Serra Museum and an amazing display of Native American, Spanish and Mexican artifacts from the 1700s to the 1900s.
With dozens of historical sites and buildings reflecting the mingling of Spanish and Mexican heritage, Old Town is an excellent spot for downtime activities. Group tours of the entire area can be arranged, including the Whaley House, built in 1857. The house has gained a national reputation as being haunted, and ghost tours are available.
Mission Valley is the retail heart of San Diego, with the Mission Valley and Fashion Valley shopping centers showcasing the latest trends.
Meetings-friendly properties include the Town and Country Resort & Conference Center in Mission Valley. PageBreak
La Jolla/ Mission Bay
Known as the “Jewel of the Sea,” La Jolla is favored with visitors because of its beaches and amazing coastline views. Located slightly north of downtown, this area also features the famed Torrey Pines Golf Course and the Lodge at Torrey Pines, voted the top hotel in San Diego by U.S. News & World Report. In addition to flawless beaches and PGA golf, attendees can also enjoy the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institute of Oceanography, which offers space for group events plus interactive features such as outdoor tide pools where attendees can touch sea animals.
Mission Bay has its own claim to watery fame with SeaWorld San Diego, one of the best-known attractions in the U.S. It features several options for planners, from tours and team building to receptions and dinners alongside polar bears.
Top meetings properties include Paradise Point Resort & Spa and Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Resort and Marina, as well as La Jolla Shores Hotel, Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa, Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines and Lodge at Torrey Pines.
North San Diego County
Some of the area’s best known attractions are located north of downtown San Diego, including LEGOLAND and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, along with the San Diego Botanical Garden and more than 40 golf courses, including the course designed by Tom Fazio at The Grand Del Mar. Need more? Attendees can enjoy some time inland with a visit to Rancho Bernardo and the Bernardo Winery. Visitors can also trade the beaches for a hike up Palomar Mountain to the Palomar Observatory, where group tours are available. In addition to The Grand Del Mar, meetings properties include L’Auberge Del Mar, Four Seasons Resort Aviara, La Costa Resort & Spa, Pala Casino Spa Resort and Rancho Bernardo Inn.
South San Diego County
The South Bay area offers plenty of family fun and an excellent reason to extend a stay beyond the conference for some vacation time. Attendees can soak up some inspiration with a tour of the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, and then unwind with some splashy fun at Knott’s Soak City. After spending a few days on San Diego’s beaches, visitors can learn about birds and other coastal wildlife at the Living Coast Discovery Center, which is also available for rental. Other event facilities include the Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre.
East San Diego County
While most of San Diego is all about laid-back beaches, the eastern section of the county showcases a diverse California landscape, from Anza-Borrego Desert State Park to the Cleveland National Forest. Outdoor fans can see the desert wildflowers bloom in spring or take it all in with a hang-gliding trip. The old town of Julian is another draw, as are the area’s casinos.
Meetings properties include the Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino, Borrego Ranch Resort & Spa and Sycuan Resort.
Beth Bartlett is a frequent contributor to Meetings Focus West.
