Wonderful clime for meetings sublime

By David Lytle

SoCal calls with its nearly perfect balmy weather, endless beaches and state-of-the-art hotels and meeting spaces. San Diego has grown from a once sleepy naval town to a nightlife-loving hotspot.

Resources

San Diego Tourism Authority

[email protected] | sandiego.org

4 Reasons Meeting Profs Love San Diego

USS Midway in San Diego
USS Midway, San Diego

An incredible climate. San Diego’s mild Mediterranean climate ensures pleasant weather throughout the year, with average temperatures ranging from 60°F to 75°F. This consistent weather appeals to attendees, allowing for outdoor activities, receptions and sightseeing without weather-related disruptions. The abundance of sunshine enhances outdoor event spaces and creates an inviting atmosphere for social functions and team-building activities.

Coastal attractions. The city’s stunning coastline, with miles of sandy beaches, tide pools and scenic waterfronts, offers excellent opportunities for leisure and team-building activities such as surfing lessons, sailing trips, beach volleyball and coastal hikes. Additionally, attractions such as Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo and USS Midway Museum provide memorable excursions outside of meeting hours, encouraging networking and relaxation in a picturesque environment.

Read More: Southern California: Open for Business

Supportive hospitality industry. San Diego is renowned for its high-quality hotels and exceptional hospitality services. From luxury properties like The Lodge at Torrey Pines to boutique hotels, the city provides accommodations to suit all budgets and preferences. The local culinary scene features renowned chefs and diverse dining options, ensuring excellent catering. The experienced event management companies, audiovisual providers and dedicated staff work seamlessly to deliver professional support, ensuring flawless event execution.

Accessible location. San Diego International Airport (SAN) offers numerous direct flights from major cities across the globe, making it highly accessible for international attendees. The city also provides convenient ground transportation options, including shuttles, taxis, ride-sharing services and public transit. Its proximity to Southern California attractions like Los Angeles, Disneyland and Mexico border crossings can further enhance the appeal of multi-day events and post-event excursions, boosting attendance and satisfaction.

4 Places to Meet & Stay

Hotel del Coronado pool area
Photo by Hotel del Coronado

Hotel del Coronado is the oldest resort hotel on the Pacific Coast and a legit icon in San Diego. It just came off a six-year, $550 million renovation, bringing the Victorian grand dame into the 21st century.

97,000 sq. ft. of meeting space; 679 guest rooms

Woman playing golf at The Lodge at Torrey Pines
Photo by The Lodge at Torrey Pines

The Lodge at Torrey Pines is a marvel of California Craftsman design set between its signature 18-hole golf course and its namesake Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. It’s a wonderful location for taking your meetings outside on the links or the trails.

13,000 sq. ft. of meeting space; 170 guest rooms

San Diego Convention Center interior
Photo by Chizhevskaya Ekaterina / Shutterstock.com

San Diego Convention Center boasts its 90,000-square-foot Sails Pavilion, defined by a column-free space filled with natural light. What more could you ask for? How about oceanfront views? It has those, too.

525,701 sq. ft. of meeting space; 40,000 sq. ft. ballroom space

Pendry San Diego guest room
Photo by Pendry San Diego

Pendry San Diego is a luxury darling in the Gaslamp Quarter in downtown San Diego. The property’s understated elegance lends itself to elevated and intimate meetings and events.

35,000 sq. ft. of meeting space; 317 guest rooms

This article appears in the January 2026 issue. You can subscribe to the magazine here.