10 New San Diego Venues for Winter Meetings and Events

Waterfront Park opened in May and surrounds the historic County of San Diego Administration Center. The 12-acre public park includes an 830-foot-long fountain that runs the length of the space, three themed gardens, open lawn space, and a large playground. The park offers expansive views of the San Diego harbor, historic ships, downtown high-rises, and Little Italy. The park has several areas that can be reserved for events including the six Civic Green spaces that combined have 129,000 square feet of space and hold 12,900 for receptions.

The San Diego Museum of Art opened the outdoor venue Panama 66 in September. The 6,272-square-foot courtyard accommodates 500 guests for receptions and offers alfresco dining with views of May S. Marcy Sculpture Court and Garden, the California Tower, and the Plaza de Panama. Panama 66 serves seasonal vegan- and vegetarian-friendly cuisine, specialty cocktails, and 16 locally sourced craft beers on tap. It is available for private events.

A new event space at the San Diego Zoo, Sambuton Longhouse opened in May along the Tiger Trail. The 3,500-square-foot event space holds 600 guests for receptions and comes with audiovisual technology and a 600-square-foot V.I.P. room. Guests can look for the Safari Park’s six Sumatran tigers, who roam the 5.2-acre forested habitat, as well as take in views of the San Pasqual Valley.

A rooftop bar-within-a-bar, Fairweather is hidden away in the bar Rare Form overlooking the Petco Park Stadium. The tropical-looking patio opened in August and offers an extensive cocktail list. The 1,500-square-foot space is available for private evens and holds 200 guests for receptions.

The restaurant Indigo Grill opened July in Little Italy and serves Latin cuisine such as Ahi Teradito and Tempura Mahi Mahi Cheek. The 2,200-square-foot dining room seats 175 guests and features a patio and a trendy austere atmosphere. Buyout is available for private events.

Coronado Island's iconic Hotel del Coronado completed a $12 million renovation in May. The makeover to the Victorian-era resort includes updated guest rooms, a restoration to the lobby, expanded patio seating at Eno Pizzeria & Wine Bar, and upgrades to the restaurants Sheerwater and Babcock & Story Bar. Along with its nearly 50 indoor venues, the resort also offers six outdoor venues including a stretch of beach that holds 1,220 people for receptions.

The restaurant Don Chido opened in September in the Gaslamp District and spotlights regionally influenced, home-style Mexican cooking with locally sourced ingredients. The 4,000-square-foot venue seats 120 and features eye-catching decor including an art wall made entirely from Mexican blankets. At the center of the room is a taqueria stand where tortillas are made fresh. Outdoor seating is available on a 500-square-foot patio.

The latest addition to Restaurant Cohen Group, OB Warehouse opened in August and offers modern Latin food. The 4,500-square-foot venue is available for buyout and accommodates 140 seated guests. The decor features a bright and chic industrial look.

Saja Korean Kitchen opened in August and offers classic Korean fare in the Gaslamp District. The 2,100-square-foot space features an open kitchen, Korean-inspired art, and an 300-square-foot patio that overlooks the skyline. Buyouts are available.

The Rabbit Hole opened in October, serving pub fare, local drafts, and cocktails. The indoor area is 3,350 square feet and holds about 300 people for receptions, while the 450-square-foot patio can hold smaller events.