San Diego Convention Center – Things To Do With Your Team

No matter how many convention centers you’ve previously been to with your team, the San Diego Convention Center is guaranteed to impress. The first thing you’ll notice when you visit the San Diego Convention Center is its unbeatable location. It’s located on the sparkling San Diego Bay in the heart of the city’s lively downtown area with many shopping, dining, and entertainment options just a short walk away. Inside, abundant amenities and five-star service make the San Diego Convention Center a truly world-class venue.

Chances are your team will have plenty of downtime while in San Diego. Instead of having your team meander around the convention center’s expansive facility whenever they aren’t competing, make the most of whatever free time they may have by exploring the surrounding downtown area in search of some of the great attractions and eateries that can be found there. However, with so many things to see and do within walking distance of the San Diego Convention Center, your search won’t last long.

Things to Do

The New Children’s Museum

The New Children’s Museum, located only a couple of minutes away from the San Diego Convention Center, is far from your average children’s museum. It’s a dynamic new model of a children’s museum that aims to provide inventive and engaging art experiences that young visitors will find meaningful and fun.

At The New Children’s Museum, your team will be encouraged to harness their imagination, inquisitiveness, and innovative thinking as they explore fun-filled exhibitions, participate in hands-on art-making activities, and enjoy engaging performances.

From toddlers to grown-ups, The New Children’s Museum inspires new ways to see the world through the language of art. Exhibits offered at The New Children’s Museum include Sketch Aquarium, a high-tech, interactive art installation where kids can design a fanciful sea creature and watch as it comes to life on a wall-sized, moving aquarium projection; The Wonder Sound, a whimsical labyrinth of rooms, passageways, nooks, crannies, and more that invites discovery and exploration; and Sandbox Gallery, an indoor sandbox paired with an immersive light and music installation that’s focused on creating a multi-sensory experience for visitors.

Across the street from the museum is a beautiful park, extending the museum visit outdoors with space for running, climbing, picnics, and a view of the trains and trolleys passing by. 200 W Island Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

Seaport Village

Whether you and your team are looking for places to shop, places to eat, or both, nearby Seaport Village has got it all and more. At this 14-acre waterfront complex you’ll find more than 50 specialty retailers and a variety of dining options ranging from casual eateries to fine dining restaurants boasting fantastic bayside views.

With four miles of cobblestone pathways bordered by ponds, lakes, fountains, and colorful landscaping, plus a quarter-mile slate boardwalk along the San Diego Bay, it’s easy to enjoy a morning, afternoon, or evening stroll with your team at Seaport Village. 849 W Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101

San Diego Chinese Historical Museum

The mission of the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum is to create a deeper understanding of both Chinese and Chinese American culture. Located in what was once San Diego’s Chinatown area near the San Diego Convention Center, the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum has welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors, collected thousands of ethnographic artifacts, and hosted hundreds of educational programs and exhibitions for more than 20 years.

At this esteemed San Diego institution you and your team can explore the history of San Diego’s Chinese community through scale models of old Chinatown homes and businesses, an exhibits on local Chinese hand laundries, archaeological remnants from the sites of old Chinatown buildings, a registry of local Chinese American veterans, in addition to numerous pieces of Chinese art and antiques. 404 3rd Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

Embarcadero Marina Park North and South

Located between the San Diego Bay and the San Diego Convention Center is Embarcadero Marina Park. The park is comprised of two separate areas: Embarcadero Marina Park North and Embarcadero Marina Park South.

Both of these waterfront parks are a great place for everyone in your group to stretch their legs while enjoying unforgettable views of the bay. Each park offers similar amenities, including gazebos, recreation space, walking trails, concession stands, and fishing piers that are also great for watching the sun set or spotting boats as they go by. 400 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101; 200 Marina Park Way, San Diego, CA 92101

Petco Park

If you’ve got the time, make your team’s visit to San Diego even more special with a visit to Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres. This recently-constructed, architecturally magnificent ballpark is situated in the heart of downtown San Diego, adjacent to the city’s historic Gaslamp Quarter and the convention center.

As you and your team enjoy a great game of baseball you’ll also be treated to stunning views of both the bay and the city skyline. What really makes Petco Park such a standout ballpark however is its unbeatable selection of eateries. You won’t find standard stadium fare like lukewarm pizza, tasteless hot dogs, and overcooked burgers anywhere at Petco Park.

Instead, you and your team can choose from a selection of local favorite eateries from around the country, including Hodad’s, a burger joint that’s as San Diegan as tan lines and flip-flops; Pizza Port, a beloved San Diego staple renowned equally for its delicious slices and craft beer; and The Baked Bear, where you can satisfy your sweet tooth with one of their ice cream sandwiches, made with two warm, freshly-baked cookies of your choice. It’s almost like Petco Park is the ultimate San Diego culinary experience disguised as a baseball stadium! 100 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101

USS Midway Museum

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore a historic aircraft carrier awaits you and your team just a short walk from the San Diego Convention Center. There you’ll get to experience life at sea aboard the USS Midway, one of America’s largest and longest-serving aircraft carriers. Visitors to the USS Midway Museum enter a floating city at sea and walk in the footsteps of 225,000 sailors who served onboard this incredible vessel.

This unique museum offers activities for all ages including a self-guided audio tour highlighting the facility’s 60 exhibits and collection of more than 25 restored aircraft as well as flight simulators, educational short films, aircraft cockpits that you can climb into, and much more. A visit to the USS Midway Museum is like journeying out to sea without ever leaving port!

If you’ll be visiting the museum with a group of 10 or more, pre-purchase your tickets online to take advantage of discounted admission fees. 910 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101

Places to Eat

Buster’s Beach House

Buster’s Beach House is a laid back dining experience that’s fun for everyone. This tropical, surf-themed restaurant is located directly on the edge of the waterfront, featuring breathtaking views of the San Diego Bay and the Coronado Bay Bridge. While food comes first at Buster’s, they also offer great entertainment to enjoy as you dine, including six flat screen TVs to catch the big game and live music every Friday and Saturday evening.

Their menu features international cuisine garnished with tropical flair. The mouthwatering specialties at Buster’s include macadamia nut-crusted chicken, pork luau, and coconut shrimp. Whether you and your team visit Buster’s Beach House for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you’ll all be leaving satisfied. 807 W Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101

Tin Fish

Nestled in the shadow of Petco Park just minutes away from the San Diego Convention Center and the city’s historic Gaslamp Quarter, the Tin Fish is enjoyed by both locals and tourists alike.

Their menu features a wide selection of freshly-caught fish, prepared in a variety of ways. So whether you want your grilled salmon on a sandwich served with a side of coleslaw and waffle fries or in a taco topped with shredded cabbage, cheddar cheese, fresh salsa, and two types of sauces, the Tin Fish is more than able to accommodate.

Other menu items include fried fish and chips, fried fish sandwiches, quesadillas, burritos, burgers and more. If you’re dining at the Tin Fish with any younger guests they’ll definitely appreciate the restaurant’s kids menu, where they can choose from a half order of chicken tenders or a hot dog, both served with waffle fries. 170 6th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

Lucky’s Lunch Counter

Reminiscent of the classic lunch counters found in Chicago at a time when Wrigley Field only held 20,000 fans, Lucky’s Lunch Counter is a nostalgic neighborhood spot right across the street from Petco Park.

Serving up over-stuffed sandwiches, high quality hot dogs, build your own salads, and traditional breakfast fare in a fun and easy-going atmosphere, Lucky’s for is the place to go with your team in San Diego for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. 338 7th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

Puesto

It’s no secret that tacos are a crowd-pleasing favorite. So, if you’re in search of a restaurant that everyone will enjoy, look no further than Puesto. Puesto is a casual restaurant specializing in serving some of the most authentic tacos this side of the border. Featuring handmade maiz azul stone-ground tortillas, fresh meats and seafood, slow-cooked guisados, and fresh salsas, the food at Puesto is second to none.

Located near historic Seaport Village, Puesto is housed in the original San Diego Police Headquarters building, which creates an ambiance that blends together the old with the new, much like their vibrant cuisine. 789 W Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101

Considering how popular of a travel destination San Diego is, it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that it’s a city with a lot of first-rate restaurants and can’t-miss attractions. What might surprise you however is just how many of these fantastic dining and entertainment options are practically a stone’s throw away from the San Diego Convention Center.