You’ve got your registration confirmed, hotel room booked, sessions bookmarked, and time blocked off on your calendar for networking. Now let’s talk about what else you could get up to while you’re in town!
The SSP Annual Meeting is landing in Chula Vista at the end of May, and it’s well worth a little extra time on either side of the schedule. It tends to fly under the radar right up until you’re eating the best fish taco of your life and wondering why you didn’t come sooner.
Located just south of downtown San Diego, Chula Vista lives up to its translation: “beautiful view.” Between San Diego Bay and the coastal mountains, you are never far from either a scenic walk or a very good meal.
Whether you have an afternoon, a full free day, or just an ambitious spirit and a valid passport, here are some ideas for making the most of your time in the South Bay.
Things to Do Without Leaving Chula Vista
The Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center has more than enough to keep you busy, but if you need some fresh air and sunshine between sessions, there’s plenty to do in Chula Vista proper. (Sometimes the best adventures are the ones that don’t require you to call an Uber!)
The Chula Vista Bayfront is a scenic stretch along San Diego Bay. The marina area is right near the convention center and makes for a beautiful spot to go for a walk or watch the boats. If you squint across the water just right, you can see Coronado Island. Ideal for early morning walks if you’re still on East Coast time, or sunset strolls if you’re trying to process three panels’ worth of AI discourse.
Nature lovers should not miss the Living Coast Discovery Center, a free-to-visit bayfront sanctuary with raptors, native plants, and a boardwalk over the wetlands. Otay Valley Regional Park offers miles of trails for walking, jogging, or quietly contemplating your unread emails.
Head North: San Diego in a Day (or Half)
If you’re arriving early or have a free afternoon before a late flight, there’s no shortage of fun to be had in San Diego.
Balboa Park is the cultural heart of the city, with 1,200 acres of museums, gardens, and Spanish Colonial Revival architecture that is exactly as good as everyone says. The San Diego Museum of Art and the San Diego Zoo are both worth a visit, whether you’re in the mood for masterpieces or monkeys.
For maritime history, the USS Midway Museum on the Embarcadero is a decommissioned aircraft carrier you can actually walk through, climb on, and stand atop on the flight deck while the wind does impractical things to your conference lanyard.
Little Italy has become one of San Diego’s best neighborhoods for food and drink. If you’re staying into the weekend, the Saturday Little Italy Mercato farmers market is worth planning around. For dinner, the neighborhood offers excellent Italian (naturally) but also some of the city’s best restaurants across all genres.
For a more leisurely afternoon, take the Coronado Ferry from the Embarcadero ($5.50 each way) to Coronado Island, then walk or bike along the waterfront and admire the Hotel del Coronado, a Victorian confection of a building that famously served as the backdrop for Some Like It Hot.
And if you want the classic Southern California coastal experience, La Jolla Cove and its dramatic cliffs, clear water, and shoreline full of seals are well worth the 30-minute journey.
Eating and Drinking: The Essentials
First, the non-negotiables: fish tacos. Lightly battered fish, fresh toppings, a squeeze of lime. You will find excellent versions all over Chula Vista and San Diego. Seek out a taqueria with a line out the door; a good sign from the locals that the tacos are well worth the wait.
Chula Vista and the South Bay have a rich Mexican-American food culture, and Birrieria Guanajuato is a local institution for birria, the rich, slow-braised beef stew that has recently become trendy, but has been here all along. The Third Avenue Village area in downtown Chula Vista has a growing food and bar scene worth exploring on foot.
Don’t leave without trying a California burrito, a regional specialty that includes French fries inside. Approach with an open mind and a big appetite!
For coffee before a long morning of sessions, Communal Coffee and Better Buzz Coffee are local favorites that have expanded without losing their personality.
San Diego is one of the country’s craft beer capitals. IPAs dominate, but you’ll find a wide range of styles, and most local breweries have taprooms that are perfect for informal meetups or post-panel decompression. Ballast Point, Stone, Modern Times, and countless smaller breweries are distributed across the city. If you need guidance, locals are extremely willing to share opinions on this subject.
If beer alone feels too straightforward, try a michelada: beer with lime, spices, and a bit of flair.
The meeting may be the main event, but the setting is part of the experience.
Consider exploring beyond the conference. Chula Vista and San Diego welcome curiosity, whether it’s a scenic waterfront walk, a visit to a local museum, or savoring an especially delicious meal.
News item written by SSP member Laura Simis. Laura is the Marketing Director for Hum.
