DOWNTOWN, HILLCREST & BALBOA PARK
Delegates get a kick out of San Diego’ s urban core. Downtown’ s eight distinct neighborhoods, each with its own unique character and personality, embrace the city’ s youthful exuberance. The historic GASLAMP QUARTER’ S restaurants, nightclubs and specialty shops present dining and nightlife options for all tastes and groups of all sizes. The San Diego Padres’ PETCO PARK and the iconic CENTRAL LIBRARY claim prime views in the adjacent EAST VILLAGE, where urbanites gather in trend-setting outdoor cafes, pubs and bars. LITTLE ITALY has evolved into a dynamic community with an eclectic mix of international cafes, trattorias and fashionable shops, and features the PIAZZA DELLA FAMIGLIA, an open-air gathering place that offers the perfect spot to drink in the area’ s ambience.
The SAN DIEGO CONVENTION CENTER and several modern hotels embrace the waterfront EMBARCADERO, which features the newest and most sophisticated outdoor event venue, the San Diego Symphony’ s RADY SHELL AT JACOBS PARK. Across the street, sculptures line the MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. PROMENADE beside the eco-friendly and outdoors-embracing THE NEW CHILDREN’ S MUSEUM. At nearby SEAPORT VILLAGE and THE HEADQUARTERS AT SEAPORT DISTRICT, specialty shops and restaurants command awesome bay views. Along
the waterfront, the USS MIDWAY MUSEUM, MARITIME MUSEUM OF SAN DIEGO and daily harbor tours provide hours of nautical history and entertainment. With hundreds of hotel rooms and an array of unique outdoor venues, Downtown San Diego is a sensational setting for stimulating and productive meetings and conventions— all amid the sunshine.
Hillcrest and other Uptown neighborhoods combine eclectic entertainment, shopping and culture in a vibrant cosmopolitan ambience perfect for unique and innovative gatherings. BALBOA PARK, the largest urban cultural park in the United States, spans over 1,200 acres and features stunning architecture, beautiful gardens, 17 museums and award-winning theater. Within the park’ s boundaries, the SAN DIEGO ZOO reigns as an international star for its work with endangered animals and exotic flora. Balboa Park has always featured the very best of San Diego, as was the case with its international expositions in 1915 and 1935. The zoo also expanded with the addition of Africa Rocks, showcasing the amazing biodiversity found on the African continent; and the Wildlife Explorers Basecamp, an exciting and interactive adventure zone geared toward families.
LA JOLLA
MISSION BAY & BEACHES
POINT LOMA
NORTH COUNTY COASTAL NORTH COUNTY INLAND
MISSION VALLEY DOWNTOWN
CORONADO
Pacific Ocean
SOUTH BAY
Approximate drive time from San Diego International Airport: 10 minutes
EAST COUNTY
Getting Around the Urban Core
Hotels, meeting facilities and attractions in Downtown and Uptown are fairly close together and are linked by bustling sidewalks, city buses and the bright red San Diego Trolley. You can easily walk between the Convention Center and the Gaslamp Quarter in a few minutes. The promenade along San Diego Bay’ s Embarcadero takes you past many of Downtown’ s hotels and tourist attractions and is popular with fitness walkers and runners. Balboa Park is a short walk or drive from Downtown; and, once there, a free open-air tram connects Balboa Park’ s museums and attractions.
86 San Diego Tourism Authority