WEST | U.S. Naval Institute & AFCEA 2027

The San Diego Convention Center is the main convention center in San Diego, California, located in the Marina district of downtown San Diego. This modern facility includes a 615,700-square-foot exhibition hall, an 80,700-square-foot ballroom and 123,400 square feet of breakout meeting space. Its ground-floor exhibit space is divisible into seven halls. The center's best-known feature is the Sails Pavilion, a 90,000-square-foot exhibit and special event area. The venue offers panoramic views of both the city and the bay and is ideally situated within a mile of thousands of first-class hotel rooms and about 10 minutes from the airport.

• On-site private vehicle parking is available at the San Diego Convention Center's underground garage located below the building (roughly 1,900-1,950 vehicles). Underground parking is accessible via Harbor Drive, a daily parking rate applies, and overnight/24-hour parking is not available.
• On the corner of Harbor Dr. and Park Ave., there is a 2,000-space parking structure adjacent to the Hilton Bayfront.
• Off-site parking is available at numerous nearby lots and garages in downtown San Diego, many within walking distance, and metered street parking is available in some areas.
• A limited number of EV charging stations are available, along with ADA-compliant parking stalls with nearby elevator access.

The Convention Center is conveniently located just three miles from San Diego International Airport and less than one mile from the Amtrak station. Getting to the airport takes approximately 10-15 minutes by car or shuttle. The San Diego Trolley has two stops directly in front of the building, at Harbor Drive/First Avenue and Harbor Drive/Fifth Avenue, and the Trolley links downtown, Old Town and Mission Valley hotels to the Convention Center and also connects to the Mexican border. The free FRED (Free Ride Everywhere Downtown) system provides free transport in the downtown area via an app. A quick, free shuttle at the airport connects to the consolidated rental car center, featuring over a dozen rental car agencies.

The convention center sits in a vibrant downtown setting within a mile and a half of more than 11,000 first-class hotel rooms, including four headquarter hotels, and about 10 minutes from the airport. There are over 13,000 hotel rooms within walking distance of the San Diego Convention Center, with plenty more options in neighboring districts. The Hilton San Diego Bayfront is adjacent to the center, and the historic Gaslamp Quarter directly outside offers additional lodging options. WEST publishes official hotel blocks; attendees should be aware that companies unaffiliated with the official WEST hotels may claim to offer 'reduced' rates, and it is recommended not to use such services.