San Diego is home to a wealth of distinct regions, including historic urban neighborhoods and spectacular beach-city communities. The city, the eighth largest in the country, stretches from San Diego Bay, a deep-water harbor with an active naval fleet, through vibrant neighborhoods and parks to the east and coastal resort towns to the north. Whether pulling together a small corporate retreat or an event with tens of thousands of participants, the area’s varied resources enable planners to develop customized plans that meet their needs—one reason it was named a top “meeting destination” by Cvent, a technology provider for corporate meetings, events, and hospitality.

“What makes us unique is we’re not just an urban location or just a beachside community,” says Letty Canizalez, vice president of sales for the San Diego Tourism Authority (SDTA). “We’ve got great options for all types of meetings—it’s not one-size-fits-all.”

Factor in near-perfect weather, ease of transportation, and an abundance of inviting hotels, it’s no wonder executive decision-makers return repeatedly to San Diego for their events. Bill Reed, chief event strategy officer for the American Society of Hematology, cites the close collaboration offered by the SDTA–helping to find meeting spaces, hotels, and activities that suit their unique needs—as a key reason his organization keeps coming back. “One thing we really appreciate about San Diego is the way it marshals the entire hospitality community, seemingly effortlessly,” he says.

Here’s a look at just a few of the regions and venues that are luring companies to San Diego for their corporate events.

DOWNTOWN

Why here: Eminently walkable, downtown San Diego is home to the historic Gaslamp District and its lively bars, restaurants, and theaters. The area is 10 minutes from the airport and a short stroll from the Embarcadero, where the decommissioned USS Midway provides a dramatic backdrop to events; Little Italy, where diners can eat al fresco; and Petco Park—home field of the San Diego Padres—which event planners can rent for private concerts or other memorable experiences.

Where to meet and stay: Located on the city’s waterfront, the San Diego Convention Center offers flexibility with more than 525,000 square feet of exhibition space, two ballrooms, 72 meeting rooms, and an outdoor terrace that can be used year-round. The Convention Center hosted the American Society of Hematology for its 2023 annual meeting, which broke attendance records when 32,000 participants attended. The organization also made use of nearby hotels and neighborhood venues. “That requires everyone to collaborate,” Reed says. “We love the cooperation that we get from end to end.”

The downtown area also boasts numerous hotels with event spaces. Grace Burns, senior director of events at software company AppFolio, chose the recently renovated Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina for her company’s annual meeting. The hotel has 27,000 square feet of event space, 56 event rooms, and a ballroom that can fit 3,700 people. “Being a tech company, it was important to us that the hotel provide new, state-of-the-art meeting space,” Burns says. “It’s a great place to learn, network, get inspired, and have fun.”

HILLCREST, NORTH PARK, AND SOUTH PARK

Why here: Visitors looking for local flavor can explore North and South Park and the Hillcrest area, which offer proximity to downtown and great walkability. These neighborhoods are connected by historic Balboa Park home to museums, gardens, and the San Diego Zoo. Hillcrest, to the northwest of the park is the heart of San Diego’s spirited LGBTQ community.

Where to meet and stay: Hotels here typically have event spaces for smaller meetings. For instance, North Park’s Lafayette Hotel—named 2024’s “new hotel of the year” in North America and Europe by Esquire following a $31 million makeover—has 11,000 square feet of event space, and eight meeting rooms that can host up to 764 people.

LA JOLLA

Why here: North of downtown is the seaside resort town of La Jolla, known for its rugged coastline, luxurious oceanfront hotels, championship golf, spas, and high-end shopping. The city is also a center of innovation and learning, home to the University of California San Diego, the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

Where to meet and stay: Hotels in La Jolla tend to host smaller events. For example, The Lodge at Torrey Pines can accommodate events of up to 600 people with more than 13,000 square feet of meeting space, and it offers inspiring views of the Pacific Ocean and Torrey Pines Golf Course, the nation’s foremost municipal golf course, situated atop cliffs towering above the Pacific Ocean.

MISSION BAY AND BEACHES

Why here: A classic beach town, Mission Beach boasts two miles of oceanfront boardwalk. Corporate planners can book cruises on Mission Bay or rent out Belmont Park, a boardwalk amusement park that’s home to the nearly century-old Giant Dipper Roller Coaster and that caters to corporate clients with event and meeting space.  

Where to meet and stay: The area is home to resorts on large properties, many with waterfront views. The Catamaran Resort Hotel & Spa offers 20,000 square feet of meeting space customizable for all types of corporate events.

MISSION VALLEY AND OLD TOWN

Why here: Centrally located and 20 minutes from the airport, this area offers pedestrian-friendly shopping and dining and provides easy access to surrounding neighborhoods via public transportation. Steeped in history, the neighborhood is home to some of the oldest buildings in California, including the Mission San Diego, founded in 1769.

Where to meet and stay: The area has a wide range of hotel types, such as the Town and Country San Diego, which is steps from the UC San Diego Medical Center and the Fashion Valley Mall, and the Hilton Garden Inn, with nearly 5,000 square feet of event space.

NORTH INLAND & COASTAL

Why here: Located 20 miles north of San Diego, Del Mar is a quaint seaside town. Visitors can explore historic Del Mar village on foot, peruse the area’s independent shops, and enjoy both upscale and casual dining. Further inland, visitors may enjoy laidback Carmel Valley and Rancho Bernardo, home to world-class golf, spas, and dining, including the three Michelin-starred Addison.

Where to meet and stay: Hotels in this area tend to play host to smaller events. When staying by the coast, planners may consider the Fairmont Grand Del Mar—a AAA Five Diamond property—while to the east, the Rancho Bernardo Inn offers rooms and flexible event space set among verdant gardens and a championship golf course.

With these regions—and more—to choose from in San Diego, corporate decision-makers can find the resources that match their unique vision. “It’s endless what you can do,” Canizalez says, “We can personalize an event and make sure that we’re curating the experience from concept to completion.”

This custom article was funded in part with City of San Diego Tourism Marketing District Assessment funds.