Parks

Convention Center Park – Convention Center Park was designed with “fins” as an architectural element and planting beds transecting the lawn area, to extend the Convention Center visually and create an inviting and unique viewing garden. Public art includes a 28-foot tall ceramic mosaic and mirrored tiles sculpture, “Coming Together,” by Niki de Saint Phalle.

Children’s Museum Park – Children’s Museum Park is a triangular, approximately one-acre site along the Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade, in front of the New Children’s Museum. The unique open space features “Art for Play,” which uses the poetry of renowned San Diego author Quincy Troupe, sculpture by Roberto Salas, and has the capability to house installations from the New Children’s Museum’s artist-in-residence programs. The park layout is heavily influenced by the patterns and materials of the Promenade; quotations are etched in granite tablets installed along the path that capture the space’s spirit of freedom. Children’s Museum Park’s open space features a reading circle and shade trellises with landscaping that includes an extensive lawn for activities, succulent plants, trees and palms. The park is open to the public, with occasional special use by the New Children’s Museum.

Embarcadero Marina Park North – Embarcadero Marina Park North, a shoreline park with open lawn areas behind Seaport Village, is perfect for passive activities, such as picnics, reading, watching harbor activity or just relaxing. The North and South Embarcadero Marina parks are connected by the South Embarcadero Esplanade, which extends along the waterfront.

Embarcadero Marina Park South – Embarcadero Marina Park South, a shoreline park with its spacious open lawn, is the site of various special events, concerts, and festivals, such as the Symphony Summer Pops and the San Diego Blues Festival. Basketball courts, gazebos, and a fishing pier make it a popular Downtown park. The North and South Embarcadero Marina parks are connected by the South Embarcadero Esplanade, which extends along the waterfront.

Pantoja Park – Pantoja Park, the oldest park in Downtown San Diego, was built in 1850 and named after the Spanish explorer, Don Juan Pantoja y Arriaga, who first surveyed and charted San Diego Bay in 1782. It features a large grassy area with mature fig trees, shrub planting, benches and a perimeter walkway. Public art includes a gift from Mexico, a statue of Benito Juarez, Mexico’s first president of native descent, sculpted by Ernesto Tamariz. In the center of the park is a historic planting of a natal plum shrub, which is protected by a chain link fence.

San Diego Bayfront Park  – San Diego Bayfront Park, a waterfront park built in conjunction with the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel, transformed the former Campbell Shipyard site into a 30-story, 1,190-room hotel with public open space. The park, which opened in December 2008, is primarily an open lawn area with perimeter landscaping to allow for informal gatherings, viewing of bay activities and special events. Public art includes seven wind-activated sculptures known as “Wind Palms,” by Ned Kahn, and 26 benches by Nance O’Banion. Visitors can stroll along the generous promenade, run along the waterfront or simply watch the water from one of the many benches overlooking the bay.

South Embarcadero Esplanade– The South Embarcadero Esplanade, a linear park, features public art installations along its length and provides visitors and residents the opportunity to stroll, jog, or bicycle along the bay from the USS Midway to the Convention Center.

Landmarks

Greatest Generation Art Collection – A collection of artwork displaying the generations of San Diego. This is a self-guided tour. Website.

Children’s Museum & Playground Park – The New Children’s Museum is a new model of children’s museum whose mission is to stimulate imagination, creativity and critical thinking in children and families through inventive and engaging experiences with contemporary art. Website.

Seaport Village – Seaport Village is a waterfront shopping and dining complex adjacent to San Diego Bay in Downtown San Diego, California. It is located at 849 West Harbor Drive, at the intersection of Harbor Drive and Kettner. Website.

San Diego Convention Center – The San Diego Convention Center is the primary convention center in San Diego, California. It is located in the Marina district of Downtown San Diego

The Headquarters – An open-air market offering a range of specialty shops & eateries spread throughout a heritage site.

Fast Facts

The Marina District is one of the older and more established Downtown San Diego Neighborhoods.

The Convention Center located within the Marina Neighborhood is the annual host for San Diego Comic-Con.