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October 6-8, 2024 • San Diego, CA

Local Guide

The venue for Culture Summit 2024, the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay is sandwiched between the vibrant Mission Beach and Ocean Beach Neighborhoods (both are 6 minutes by car, 11 minutes by public transit). It’s also 8 minutes inland from historic Old Town.  Below are some favorite local haunts that are a hop, skip and jump away. The best way to access many of these spots is by rideshare (Uber/Lyft) or the city bus.

Food & Drinks:  

  • Cesarina – Italian trattoria with fresh pasta you can customize to your liking (GF, Veg & Vegan Friendly, 7 min drive).
  • Hodad’s – Classic and beloved burger spot by San Diegans (9 min drive).
  • Pueblo -modern Baja and coastal Mexican food (GF, veg & vegan options, 10 min drive)
  • The Holding Company – a restaurant, rooftop bar with ocean views and live music venue featuring a blend of Asian fusion and comfort food (9 min drive).
  • Harumama – casual eatery with noodles, ramen and buns (veg option, 5 min drive).
  • Old Town Mexican Cafe -casual mexican restaurant serving authentic food and hand-pressed tortillas and cocktails (9 min drive).
  • Tahona Bar – modern mexican food and craft cocktails (9 min drive).
  • Selva Coffee House – modern coffee shop inside a plant nursery (9 min drive).

Activities:

  • Mission Bay Path – A 12 miles flat scenic path along Mission Bay Park, perfect for biking, walking and running (can be accessed right outside the hotel).
  • Mission Bay Park – the largest facility of its kind with 27 miles of bayfront used for activities like picnic, swimming, sailing and water sports.
  • Seaworld – across the way from the venue featuring close-up animal encounters, shows, rides and attractions (4 min drive, 20 min walk).
  • Mission Beach Boardwalk – A beachfront boardwalk with a bike and walking path, shops and home to Belmont Park (6 min drive, 10 min bus).
  • Belmont Park -historic beachside amusement park with a mix of rides (including the famous Giant Dipper Roller Coaster), water attractions, games, mini-golf and dining (6 min drive, 10 min bus).
  • Old Town Historic Park – commemorating the early days of San Diego from the 1800s featuring historic buildings, museums, shops and restaurants and cultural events 8 min drive, 20 min bus).

Spooky Season:

 If you want to get a jump on “spooky season,” check out these local activities:

  • The Whaley House – Known as “America’s Most Haunted House with both daytime and night guided tours offered daily. (Old Town, 10 min drive)
  • Howl-O-Scream @ Seaworld – features haunted houses and scare zones. (Mission Bay, 4 min drive, 20 min walk)
  • Belmont Park “Fall Fest” – Live music, a harvest walk with local vendors and a craft beer garden.(Mission Beach, 4 min drive, 10 min public transit)

Additional Facts about San Diego:

  • San Diego is known for its amazing weather, with 260+ sunny days per year and 70 miles of coastline and stunning beaches.
  • The city has a rich cultural diversity with strong influences from Mexican, Asian, and Pacific Islander communities. The city’s proximity to Mexico has significantly influenced its culture and cuisine.
  • The area is the ancestral territory of the Kumeyaay (Diegueño), Luiseño, Cahuilla, Cupeño, and the Acjachemen (Juaneño) indigenous peoples.
  • San Diego hosts Comic-Con International, the world’s largest convention of its kind, attracting many tech and entertainment companies.
  • Home to the San Diego Padres and soon a new professional MLS team in 2025.
  • The San Diego Zoo, one of the top destinations, houses over 3,500 animals and recently welcomed back 2 Giant Pandas as of August 2024.
  • The area’s economy is diverse, spanning telecommunications, tech, defense, aerospace, healthcare, tourism, energy, education, maritime, retail, and craft brewing.
  • Often called the “Genomics Capital of the World” and “Biotech Beach,” San Diego has a high concentration of genomic research and biotech companies.
  • It’s also home to the largest naval fleet in the world and has a significant aerospace industry dating back to WWII.
  • The city is a leader in clean technology, focusing on solar energy, biofuels, and energy efficiency.
  • Some notable companies headquartered here include Qualcomm, Sempra Energy, Illumina, Scripps Health, Petco, and Stone Brewing.