Travel, Hotels, Parking and Things to Do

San Diego Convention Center Logo

Conference Location

San Diego Convention Center
111 West Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101

619-525-5000

For more information visit: https://meetmeinsandiego.com/

From the time you arrive at the airport, it's only a five-minute ride to the San Diego Convention Center and the heart of downtown, known as the Gaslamp Quarter. The convention center sits right on sparkling San Diego bay and within walking distance of more than 100 restaurants, bars and retail shopping options. And with an average temperature of 72 degrees, walking is the way to go! Explore San Diego's unique neighborhoods that surround the convention center, including Little Italy, the East Village and Coronado, which lies just across the bay.

Hotels

The San Diego region boasts over 55,000 hotel rooms with a wide range of prices and locations. If you plan on coming before or staying after your event for a vacation, the region offers an abundance of hotel options.

Parking at the San Diego Convention Center

On-site private vehicle parking is available at the 1,950-vehicle underground garage located below the San Diego Convention Center. The lot is owned by the Port of San Diego and managed by Ace Parking.

Enter the parking garage on Harbor Drive between First Ave. and Fifth Ave.

  • The daily rate varies, depending on event activity. Parking rates may range from $15 to $35 on days.
  • Payment is due upon entry and there are no in and out privileges.
  • There are 31 ADA compliant parking stalls with elevator access to the convention center.
  • No overnight or RV parking is permitted.

Parking questions? Call ACE Parking at 619-237-0399.

Parking in Downtown San Diego

Directly across the street from the center, on the corner of Harbor and 8th Ave., is a 2,000 space parking structure.

Off-site parking is available at numerous nearby parking lots and garages in downtown San Diego, many are within walking distance of the center. Lots and garages are individually owned and operated, prices vary by location.

Metered street parking is available in some areas. Parking meters are enforced Monday through Saturday, from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m., unless otherwise posted. Metered spots are free on Sunday and designated holidays. Meters accept nickels, dimes, quarters, and prepaid electronic debit cards.

For more information:

Things to Do

Downtown

The San Diego International Airport is only three miles away from downtown and the San Diego Convention Center. Shake the jet lag off across the street from the convention center in the exciting Gaslamp Quarter, the city's premier dining, shopping, and entertainment area. From top-flight steakhouses and diverse ethnic fare, dinner clubs to sultry jazz bars, over 100 restaurants - intermingled with dance and drink - are all situated within blocks of each other. The best part: all this is within walking distance of the convention center and along San Diego Bay.

Experience Major League Baseball action at the 42,000-seat PETCO Park, home of the San Diego Padres or enter a floating city at sea on the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum, along the Embarcadero.

Attractions

San Diego is home to many of America's world-class, family-friendly attractions, so there's something for everybody! See animals from around the globe at the San Diego Zoo or the San Diego Zoo's Safari Park. Visit LEGOLAND California, a vibrant interactive experience including kid-powered rides. Want to sample the history, culture and flavors of Mexico? Visit Old Town State Park, or explore San Diego's beautiful coastline with a trip to Cabrillo National Monument.

Arts & Culture

A few steps from the San Diego Convention Center is the New Children's Museum where kids of all ages can explore and adults can find their inner child. And 10 minutes away you can spend the day at the lush 1,200-acre Balboa Park, one of the nation's largest cultural complexes and home to the largest concentration of museums west of the Mississippi. Browse the spectacular array of fine art, science and natural history, aerospace, photography, model railroads, automobiles and performing arts. Plan a picnic near one of the park's many botanical gardens or arboretums. San Diego is also home to its own unique brand of theater and music including Broadway blockbusters and world-class opera at the San Diego Civic Theatre and Tony award-winning performances and notable artists at the newly renovated Balboa Theater. Or dance to the rhythm of blues, jazz, reggae and rock at many of our region's ever-popular festivals and outdoor concerts.

Golf

With over 90 courses located throughout the region, San Diego has quickly become a golf lover's delight. Named "One of the Top 50 Golf Destinations in the World" by Golf Digest, the region has a variety of courses thanks to blue skies, temperate climates and beautiful terrain. Perhaps San Diego's most famous course is La Jolla's Torrey Pines Golf Course that hosts the Farmers Insurance Open. Some of San Diego's best and most beautiful courses are north of downtown such as Maderas, Rancho Bernardo Inn Golf Course and Mt. Woodson.

Shopping

Are you ready for a serious shopping spree? San Diego is a shopper's paradise with upscale malls, specialty boutiques, galleries, outlet centers and antique shops throughout the city. Start the spree downtown within steps of the convention center in the exciting Gaslamp Quarter with fun boutiques and an array of hip stores. Shop in the nation's first outdoor mall with a visit to Horton Plaza where you have over 100 stores. Or jump on the San Diego Trolley for a short trip to Fashion Valley Mall, where Bloomingdale's will offer a discount to convention attendees!

Old Town San Diego

History is waiting for you with over 17 historic points of interest and the finest in professional theatre, museums, artisans, galleries and shops all within easy walking distance with free live entertainment, mariachis, dancers, period attire docents providing tours and more. Old Town San Diego, where Interstate 5 and Interstate 8 meet, is nestled in the heart of San Diego and is where California began. Old Town is just across the street from the San Diego Trolley Old Town Transit Center and a short drive from most San Diego destinations.