Travel Guide

New: Looking for even more ideas of what to do in San Diego? Check out our MyEO events. Sold out already? The EO San Diego chapter recommends this list of activities for you to pursue on your own time before and after the big event.

Flight Information

Airport Information

The recommended airport to fly to is the San Diego International Airport (SAN) is located 4 miles, approximately 15 minutes from down town San Diego and Gaslamp Quarter. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is located 125 miles away, over 2 hours driving time. Other smaller airports are in the area, however these are the 2 largest international airports in the area.

Ground Transportation

Taxis

For the San Diego International Airport, taxis are easily accessible and will be around US$20, depending on where you go in the Gaslamp Quarter, traffic, and tip.

For Los Angeles International Airport, it is recommended to set up a private transfer.

Weather/Dress

Weather

The average high temperature in San Diego in early May is 68°F / 20°C, and the average low temperature is 58°F /15°C.

Dress Code

The dress code for the daytime of the GLC is business casual. Evening dress code for 3 & 4 May is California Casual.

  • Men’s Dress Code Glossary
    Business casual – Nice slacks, collared shirts
    California casual – Seasonal sport coat or blazer and slacks or nice jeans, dress shirt, casual button-down shirt, open-collar or polo shirt, casual shoes/sandals. Bring a jacket for the cool California nights!
  • Women’s Dress Code Glossary 
    Business casual – Nice slacks, skirt, blouse
    California casual – Dress, skirt and dressy top, dressy pants outfit, nice jeans and dressy top, casual shoes/sandals. Bring a jacket for the cool California nights!

Evening dress code notes for 3 & 4 May:

3 May – Wavehouse

We recommend wearing flip-flops or sandals, as part of the venue is a sand floor. Please bring a jacket, dinner is outside and it gets cool once the sun goes down!

4 May – Petco Park 

Dinner is on the outfield of Petco Park. We recommend not wearing heels that could sink into the grass. Please bring a jacket, dinner is outside and it gets cool once the sun goes down!

*Remember to bring a sweater to the Conference. The hotel and other venues will be air-conditioned, and it is recommended that you wear some layers in order to be comfortable in the meeting rooms.

About San Diego

Country: USA

Time Zone: Pacific Standard Time ( UTC/GMT -8 hours

Please check www.timeanddate.com to determine what time it is in your home city.

Currency: US Dollar ($)

Overview

(From San Diego Tourism Bureau)

California’s second largest city and the United States’ eighth largest, San Diego boasts a citywide population of nearly 1.3 million residents and more than 3 million residents countywide. Within its borders of 4,200 sq. miles, San Diego County encompasses 18 incorporated cities and numerous other charming neighborhoods and communities, including downtown’s historic Gaslamp Quarter, Little Italy, Coronado, La Jolla, Del Mar, Carlsbad, Escondido, La Mesa, Hillcrest, Barrio Logan and Chula Vista just to name a few.

San Diego is renowned for its idyllic climate, 70 miles of pristine beaches and a dazzling array of world-class family attractions. Popular attractions include the world-famous San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, SeaWorld San Diego and LEGOLAND California. San Diego offers an expansive variety of things to see and do, appealing to guests of all ages from around the world.

In San Diego’s East County, the terrain varies from gentle foothills to mile-high mountains and the historic mining town, Julian, down to the 600,000-acre Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, offering nature-conscious visitors endless opportunities to hike, camp, fish, observe wildlife and much more. In San Diego’s North County, the agricultural community produces quantities of flowers and magnificent produce. Wine growers are also making a mark by growing and harvesting quality grapes that become excellent wines, which are served at some of the most elegant restaurants and resorts in the region. Along the west, 70 miles of Pacific Ocean coastline not only supports year-round outdoor recreation, such as surfing, boating, sailing and swimming, but also important scientific research at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. To the south, it’s a whole different country, Mexico, featuring its own cultural offerings in various towns along the border and coastline, including Tijuana, Rosarito and Ensenada.

San Diego’s arts and culture and culinary arts are booming. The hottest, new culinary arts talents prepare award-winning meals throughout the region’s 6,400 eating establishments. Balboa Park, the largest urban cultural park in the U.S., is home to 15 museums, numerous art galleries, beautiful gardens, the Tony Award-winning The Globe Theatres and the world-famous San Diego Zoo.

San Diego County also features 92 golf courses and a variety of exciting participatory and spectatorsports, beachfront resorts and luxury spas, gaming, a dynamic downtown district, annual special events and unique holiday offerings, multicultural festivals and celebrations, colorful neighborhoods and communities, a rich military history and much more.

The most difficult decision to make regarding a vacation to San Diego is determining what to do and see among the region’s vast and diverse offerings. San Diego County promises a truly remarkable vacation experience for everyone.
For more information about San Diego and the area, please reference:

Etiquette

For etiquette information, please reference:

Language

English is the official language of the 2015 Global Leadership Conference in San Diego, California, USA.

Currency

The base currency of the United States is the U.S. dollar, and it is printed on bills in seven denominations of $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100. Coins are 50c, 25c, 10c, 5c, and 1c.
There is a Travelex Currency exchange office in the San Diego International Airport, in both terminals, Daily: 7:30 AM to 8:00 PM. Link to: Some hotels will exchange a small amount of foreign currency. Please check with your hotel before leaving your home country.

There are plenty of ATMs in the area, at hotels and within the Gaslamp Quarter. At ATMs, be sure to exercise caution by shielding your PIN and surveying your surroundings.

Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Diners Club are widely accepted credit cards. Most locations will take credit card. If you are unsure, be sure to check whether the location you are visiting accepts credit cards or cash only.

For currency converter tools, please visit Oanda.com or XE.com.

Electricity

The electrical current in the United States is 110 volts, 60 cycles alternating current (AC). Wall outlets take plugs that have two flat blades – some outlets will also have a round hole for plugs with a grounding pin.

Plugs in the United States will look like this:

To ensure the safety of your electronics, you can purchase a wide array of converters and universal adapters online.

Stay Connected

The country code for the United States is 1. When dialing a United States number from abroad, be sure to dial 1 before the area code and number.

Please contact your individual mobile phone service provider for information about international plans.

Mobile phones are widely used throughout United States. Call your service provider before arriving in the United States to determine if you should purchase an international roaming plan.

Wi-Fi is available in most for free public places in the United States such as hotel lobbies and coffee shops.  The strength and speed of the signal may vary.

Visas

To enter the United States, you’ll need a valid passport. Visa requirements vary by country. Visit the official U.S. Department of State website for complete details on your country of origin. Please check your visa requirements as soon as possible because the process can often be lengthy.

Health

Required Vaccinations

No vaccinations are required to enter the United States as long as you are up to date on “routine” vaccinations. You can find more health and safety recommendations from the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Dietary Restrictions

Please fill out the Dietary Restrictions Form so that your needs are accommodated at the University. If you suffer from severe food allergies, we encourage you to visit this website and consider purchasing food and travel-translation cards to effectively communicate your needs while traveling.