Lucky is the traveler who goes to San Diego on business. It’s quintessential Southern California, with a friendly, casual, with-it vibe and near-perfect weather. San Diego’s oceanfront setting and entrepreneurial spirit make it a place where it’s a pleasure to do business.

Though it’s the second-largest metropolis in California — the county’s population exceeds 3 million — the city of more than 1.3 million manages to retain a laid-back feel seldom found in large cities.

Fronting a natural deep-water harbor and rimmed by mountains, the setting couldn’t be much more attractive. Add to this temperatures in the 60s and 70s most of the year, mostly sunny days, low humidity and an average annual rainfall of 12 inches, and it’s no wonder San Diego is one of the top 10 visitor and meeting destinations in the United States.

Another nice perk for business travelers is the location of the airport in the city proper, meaning taxi rides to almost any downtown hotel or the Convention Center will take only a few minutes and cost less than $20, including tip.

Those travelers doing business in La Jolla — home to The Scripps Research Institute; the University of California, San Diego with the affiliated UCSD Medical Center; and various biotech and pharmaceutical companies — will want to head about 15 miles north of the airport to this lovely upscale oceanfront town.

San Diego’s harbor is the city’s most arresting feature and played an important part in the city’s development since Spaniards first sailed into the bay in 1542. One of California’s five major ports, it is home to the largest concentration of military in the world. It is the principal home port of the Pacific Fleet and home to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, the West Coast boot camp for enlisted Marines.

For years, military and defensive endeavors dominated San Diego’s economy, but things are shifting. Though the military is still a huge economic presence, high-technology companies competing in the international marketplace are establishing a foothold in the city. These mostly small and mid-sized firms are producing products and services in high demand in the new global economy. Manufacturing, particularly in the areas of shipbuilding and repair, industrial machinery and computers, metals production and the manufacture of toys and sporting goods, has also become one of the city’s strongest economic forces.

Military business is not the only thing San Diego’s harbor is used for. There are two container ship facilities, a cruise ship terminal and a major shipyard. Bulk cargo handled by the Port of San Diego’s Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal or the National City Marine Terminal, in nearby National City, can include everything from automobiles to a luxury yacht to fertilizer. A number of major cruise lines, including Princess, Holland America and Celebrity, stop at San Diego’s B Street Cruise Ship Terminal. And the National Steel and Shipbuilding Co., or NASSCO, located near the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge, is the only shipyard on the West Coast capable of building and repairing large ocean-going vessels.

It’s no surprise that, with all of San Diego’s many charms, tourism is the county’s second-largest traded economy. According to the San Diego Tourism Authority, in 2012 tourism contributed $18.3 billion to the regional economy, a 6.6 percent increase over 2011. More than 32 million visitors collectively spend almost $8 billion each year at local businesses throughout the region.

Despite a somewhat sluggish economy, service industries continue to grow, particularly bars and restaurants. Both Spike Africa’s Fresh Fish Grill & Bar featuring — what else? — fresh fish, and Bailiwick, a cocktail and brunch kitchen, opened in the Gaslamp Quarter early in 2013. The Cat Eye Club, a 1950s retro lounge offering classic cocktails and a Frank Sinatra vibe, is due to open this summer in the downtown area.

The big buzz on the San Diego drink scene is the growth of the craft beer industry. This year, the 28-tap San Diego Brew Project, the first all-local craft beer bar in the region, opened in the Mission Hills neighborhood.

San Diego’s overall economy has continued to improve slowly but steadily as the city struggles to recover from the nation’s deep recession, which purportedly ended in 2009. It grew by 1.7 percent in 2012, but according to Kelly Cunningham, economist for the National University System Institute for Policy Research, there could be slightly less improvement in 2013.

On the plus side, the State of California Employment Development Department reported San Diego County’s 2012 unemployment rate fell to 8 percent, the lowest since December 2008. Tourism is making a comeback with increased jobs and revenue in 2012, and it’s predicted 2013 will bring a record number of business and leisure travelers to the county.

In October 2012, Development Counsellors International conducted its first-ever survey asking 187 North American meeting planners about their favorite destinations and which marketing vehicles influenced them most. San Diego ranked second on the list of “Best Cities for North American Meetings,” and the San Diego Tourism Authority ranked No. 1 on the list of “Top North American Destination Marketing Organizations.”

Things to Do in San Diego

San Diego’s practically ideal climate means it’s possible to enjoy the outdoors year ’round. A short walk from most downtown hotels, the harbor area is a great place for a stroll, a jog or a bike ride.

Trolley tour © Ellen Clark

An excellent way to get to some of San Diego’s most-visited attractions is by buying an Old Town Trolley Car ticket. The trolley has 11 stops, including Coronado Island, Balboa Park and Old Town San Diego Historic Park, where you can get off, look around and then hop on another trolley.

Coronado Island boasts some of the most expensive real estate in the country, but with its red turrets and Victorian architecture, the 125-year-old Hotel del Coronado is definitely the island’s most famous icon. To see the city’s skyline from the water, consider a harbor cruise. Flagship Cruises offers one- and two-hour narrated cruises around the harbor — what could be better on a sunny California day?

Unconditional Love statue in front of the USS Midway © Ellen Clark

The longest-serving Navy aircraft carrier of the 20th century, the USS Midway, is moored in the harbor and has been transformed into a floating museum, home to 60 exhibits and 29 restored aircraft.

To see everything Balboa Park has to offer could take days. With 1,200 lushly planted acres, it is the nation’s largest urban cultural park. It features 15 museums; several performing arts venues; numerous gardens; and the famous 100-acre San Diego Zoo, which is home to 3,700 animals of more than 650 species and subspecies.

In the 1880s, the Gaslamp Quarter, which butts up to the downtown area, was home to saloons, gambling halls and houses of ill repute. Today the historic buildings have turned into trendy restaurants, lively nightclubs, boutiques and galleries. The area rocks after dark.

To see where San Diego began, and perhaps buy a sombrero or indulge in a little Mexican food or a frosty margarita, visit Old Town Historic Park, one of the stops on the trolley.

Old Town San Diego © Ellen Clark

San Diego has a number of neighborhoods, each with its own character. Near Balboa Park, North Park has a young vibe, interesting murals and fun restaurants like Urban Solace, where you can meet for a casual meal and a craft beer. Little Italy, another trolley stop, is the place to eat Italian food alfresco and check out Italian retail shops and art galleries.

CHECKING IN WITH JERRY SANDERS

President and CEO, San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, and former mayor of San Diego

WHAT CAN SAN DIEGO OFFER BUSINESS TRAVELERS?

San Diego is one of the greatest cities in the world. With a sprawling coastline, great weather and friendly people, San Diego offers a sunshine-filled, welcome atmosphere with opportunities for both business and relaxation.

WHAT WOULD YOU CONSIDER SAN DIEGO’S BIGGEST ASSETS?

From the weather to the landscape, San Diego has many natural attributes that offer a wealth of experiences and opportunities for visitors. To begin, San Diego offers unique access to the ocean, the desert and the mountains. Visitors can learn to surf or paddleboard and enjoy a bike ride along the coast or a hike in the foothills, all in one day. We also have several nationally recognized attractions such as SeaWorld, Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, and LEGOLAND.

WHAT ARE THE CITY’S FASTEST-GROWING INDUSTRIES?

San Diego is known for its entrepreneurial spirit and high number of startups and small businesses. In addition, we are known for our high-technology and biotechnology industries, as well as some manufacturing. Our “blue economy,” or maritime industry, generates significant economic revenue and includes many of our military bases and operations. Since San Diego is such a popular travel destination, our tourism and hospitality industry is also booming.

WHAT’S THE MOST EXCITING CHANGE TAKING PLACE IN SAN DIEGO?

San Diego is always evolving and growing. As one of the largest military centers in the world, plus talk of expanding the Convention Center and a new Chargers stadium, San Diego is a bustling and vibrant community with more and more people choosing to make it home.

WHAT PLACES DO YOU RECOMMEND FOR BUSINESS TRAVELERS TO SEE IN THEIR OFF HOURS?

The San Diego Convention Center is on the edge of the Gaslamp Quarter, which offers hundreds of exciting and unique restaurants, shops and entertainment venues. San Diego’s downtown is close to the water’s edge, and nearby Seaport Village and Harbor Island Drive offer excursions and sightseeing tours. Balboa Park — on the outskirts of downtown — is also popular. For travelers looking for more beach and ocean, Mission Bay Park and coastal towns such as Ocean Beach, Pacific Beach and La Jolla are the places to visit.

San Diego: Just the Facts

Time Zone: GMT -7 (PDT)
Phone Code: City code: 619
Currency: U.S. dollar
Key Industries: Military and defense, manufacturing, tourism, agriculture, high technology, biotechnology

San Diego Info to Go

San Diego International Airport (SAN), also known as Lindbergh Field, is conveniently located just three miles from the center of downtown and 10 minutes from the San Diego Convention Center. Ground transportation options include various shuttles, taxis (less than $20 to downtown hotels and the Convention Center) and rental cars, with companies providing free shuttle service from the airport to nearby rental car locations.

Where to Stay in San Diego

Hotel Palomar San Diego Just minutes from the airport, this sleek, chic downtown boutique hotel offers plenty of amenities and excellent service. Kimpton InTouch Guest Loyalty members get complimentary Internet access and other perks. 1047 5th Ave. $$$–$$$$

The US Grant A San Diego icon since 1910, the hotel is elegant and modern, ideally located for business with top-notch service. Over the years, it has hosted 14 presidents and scores of celebrities. 326 Broadway $$$–$$$$

La Valencia Hotel The pink 1926 Mediterranean-style hotel has Old World charm and ocean views. Close to the university, Scripps, and biotech and pharmaceutical companies, features include complimentary WiFi and a 24-hour business center. 1132 Prospect St., La Jolla $$$–$$$$

Restaurants in San Diego

1500 Ocean Chef Robert Hohmann has worked with culinary greats such as Thomas Keller. The eclectic and innovative menu includes moulard duck breast with strawberry, chicory, spaetzle, parsnip, tarragon and balsamic. Hotel del Coronado, 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado $$$$

Bice Ristorante Bice, in the Gaslamp Quarter, offers traditional and contemporary Italian cuisine using local ingredients, as well as an extensive cheese bar accompanied by meats, jams, honeys and olives. 425 Island Ave. $$$–$$$$

Roppongi Enjoy unusual Asian fusion and sushi in downtown La Jolla. Specialties include the signature crab stack with pea shoots, cucumber, tomato, mango, avocado, peanuts and spicy ginger-lime dressing. 875 Prospect St., La Jolla $$$

Read more about San Diego, the birthplace of California, here.