Welcome to San Diego

San Diego Points of Interest

Mission Bay is the largest man-made aquatic park in the country. Belmont Park is located steps from the surf and sand in Mission Beach and 2.1 miles from Paradise Point. It promises a fun-filled experience for visitors of all ages. Parking and admission are free.

Gaslamp Quarter is over 16 blocks of grand Victoria-era buildings are home to some of the city’s finest restaurants, nightclubs and shops. The Gaslamp Quarter is San Diego's dining, entertainment and urban shopping district. Distance from Paradise Point: 7.5 miles

Old Town is the “birthplace” of California and a must-see in 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. Distance from Paradise Point: 4.6 miles.

Birch Aquarium at Scripps offers an opportunity to explore the wonders of the ocean. Birch Aquarium at Scripps is the public outreach center for Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego. Distance from Paradise Point: 11.2 miles

SeaWorld San Diego is located nearby on Mission Bay. Distance from Paradise Point: 1.2 miles

Legoland is a hands-on theme park based on the popular Lego toy brand. Distance from Paradise Point: 32.1 miles

Balboa Park is a San Diego must-see, just minutes from downtown, and ranked as one of the best parks in the world. The park is home to 15 major museums, several performing arts venues, lovely gardens and many other cultural and recreational attractions, including the San Diego Zoo. Distance from Paradise Point: 8.1 miles

San Diego Zoo houses over 3,700 animals in an environment that imitates animal habitats. Distance from Paradise Point: 9.1 miles.

Coronado Island was voted the #1 beach in the United States for 2012. It offers pristine sand, gentle surf and a charming community with a small-town feel. Situated just across the Big Bay from downtown San Diego, Coronado is most notably known for two famous structures, the historic Hotel del Coronado and the distinctive San Diego-Coronado Bridge. Distance from Paradise Point: 12.6 miles.

What to Pack/Wear

California casual wear for conference.

Comfortable walking shoes and/or sandals - lodging rooms at Paradise Point can be a 5 minute walk to the conference center depending upon where your room is located.

Light jacket or sweater for cool evenings. San Diego is right on the water, so evenings can cool down.

Beach wear for warm days. The pools are heated, but the ocean may still be a bit cool for swimming.

Hats and sunscreen

Umbrella which can be used for shade or for the the slim chance that May showers occur

Weather

San Diego enjoys beautiful weather year round with an average daily temperature of 70.5° F. A marked feature of the climate is the wide variation in temperature within short distances due to the topography of the land. You can sample coastal, mountain and desert environments all in the span of a day. The average high in May is 68° F and the average low is 59° F.

Mornings can be cloudy in May and it can occasionally rain in S. California, so you may want to bring a compact umbrella just in case.

Be sure to watch the weather report and plan for layers to ensure comfort!

Around and Near California

Distances in California can be deceiving as traffic can be very heavy which can turn a one hour trip into an all day affair. Be sure to watch traffic patterns for a few days or search the Internet about how long it can really take to travel to a location. Avoid rush hour travel and be prepared to be stuck in traffic as traffic jams can occur unexpectedly!

Los Angeles is 118 miles to the north.

Disneyland is 93.2 miles to the north.

Palm Springs is 128 miles to the northeast.

Tijuana, Mexico is 26 miles to the south. Be sure to bring your passport if you wish to visit Mexico and allow for plenty of time to cross the border. If you drive in Mexico, it is strongly recommended to purchase additional insurance! Review Mexico Travel Warning from the US Dept. of State if you plan to travel in Mexico.

Las Vegas is 5 hours by car and 1 hour by plane.