Things to see and do in San Diego

Known for sun and fun, San Diego offers plenty of ways to unwind or live it up before, during and after the National Safety Council 2019 Congress & Expo. Everything from relaxing entertainment to worldly adventures, San Diego has it all. Here is a sampling of what you can find.

Attractions

Just a short stroll from the San Diego Convention Center, the Gaslamp Quarter is packed with dining, entertainment and shopping. Nestled in a beautiful historic district, the quarter has nightclubs, art galleries, spas and more.

Along 5th Avenue, from L Street to Broadway
(619) 233-5227

The 120-acre Little Italy neighborhood is chock full of more than 70 patio cafés, restaurants, pubs, art galleries, shops and hotels. While there, check out the beautiful Amici Park.

Northwest end of downtown
(619) 233-3898

Seaport Village features an abundance of activities at the harbor. In between shopping at the more than 50 stores and dining at the 13 casual eateries or four fine-dining restaurants, take in the entertainment of dancers, bands and magicians along the waterfront.

849 W. Harbor Drive
(619) 530-0704

Boating

San Diego is the perfect place to head out onto the open water. Locations throughout the city offer watercraft rentals and chartered sailboat trips.

Harbor Sailboats
2040 Harbor Island Drive, Suite 104
(619) 291-9568

Sail San Diego
2646 Shelter Island Drive
(619) 297-7426

Dining

Is being around all that crisp sea air making you crave sushi? Check out Sushi Ota, an award-winning restaurant featuring premium sushi and omakase tastings.

4529 Mission Bay Drive
(858) 270-5670

If a great steak is what you’re after, head to Cowboy Star Restaurant & Butcher Shop, a downtown favorite with its own butcher shop and a stellar cocktail menu. From pan-roasted halibut to dry-aged ribeyes, this swanky gem has something for everyone.

640 10th Ave.
(619) 450-5880

The Firehouse bills itself as a “Retro-American-Chic” version of the original Firehouse Café, a local legend situated where the current restaurant now resides. This ocean-view eatery offers a menu full of American classics.

722 Grand Ave.
(858) 274-3100

Visit Snooze Eatery, which bills itself as “breakfast, but different.” From shrimp and grits and breakfast pot pie (flaky puff pastry covered in homemade rosemary sausage gravy) to pineapple upside down pancakes, you can’t go wrong.

3940 Fifth Ave.
(619) 500-3344

Family Fun

Just north of downtown San Diego sits the world-famous San Diego Zoo, spread over 100 acres and home to more than 4,000 rare and endangered animals. The zoo has more than 800 different species, including elephants, pandas, polar bears and more.

2920 Zoo Drive
(619) 231-1515

Parks

Balboa Park, the nation’s largest urban cultural park, features museums, performing arts centers, gardens and carousels that provide hours of entertainment.

1549 El Prado
(619) 239-0512

With more than 4,000 acres, Mission Bay Park is the largest man-made aquatic park in the country. The park offers 19 miles of shoreline beach, 14 miles of bike paths and lots of water for boating, skiing and wakeboarding. Mission Bay is the perfect place to relax, get some exercise and have some fun.

2688 E. Mission Bay Drive
(619) 276-8200

Filled with rugged hills, valleys and open areas, a hike through Mission Trails Regional Park is like taking a stroll through San Diego 500 years ago. Escape the hustle and bustle by walking on more than 40 miles of trails or boating on nearby Lake Murray.

1 Father Junipero Serra Trail
(619) 668-3281

Golf

In addition to golf courses at Balboa and Mission Bay parks, San Diego offers plenty of places to work on your swing.

Rancho Bernardo Inn Golf Resort and Spa
17550 Bernardo Oaks Drive
(866) 901-5547

Riverwalk Golf Club
1150 Fashion Valley Road
(619) 296-GOLF

Sports

Who doesn’t love baseball? Head downtown to Petco Park to grab a hot dog and watch the San Diego Padres play the Colorado Rockies or the Chicago Cubs.

100 Park Blvd.
(619) 795-5555

Fun in the sun

San Diego is renowned for its sunny climate and great weather. In September, the average high is 77 degrees and average low is 65 degrees. The month of September gets only about 0.2 inches of rain, so don’t worry about packing an umbrella!