What to see in San Diego: Public health edition

The 2018 APHA Annual Meeting & Expo Nov. 10-14 is your chance to explore sunny San Diego, a city that’s rich with history and never short of things to see and do.

Check out our list of places to visit and things to do while you’re in San Diego:

• Adjacent to the convention center and condensed into 16 blocks, the Gaslamp Quarter is an easy area to explore in between APHA 2018 sessions. The Gaslamp Quarter is the “historic heart of San Diego.” It’s listed in the National Register of Historical Places, and it’s known for its Victorian architecture. Visit the iconic Gaslamp arch at 5th Avenue and L st, across the street from the convention center for a great selfie spot. Go on your own self-guided walking tour through Gaslamp , or check out these whale watching, food and sightseeing tours.
• Get outside! After a day of indoor meetings, pick from one of a dozen perfect beaches in the San Diego area for a scenic walk, unforgettable bike ride or relaxing spot to take in the ocean air. La Jolla cove is known as “the jewel” of San Diego and has sea cliffs, reefs and secluded coves.
• On Sunday, check out the Gaslamp Sunday Artisan Market from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. You’ll find locally-made goods from creative San Diegans.
• Get in the water at Mission Bay Park, a 4,600-acre aquatic park that offers access to water sports like ocean kayaking, paddle boarding and more. Land activities abound here too, it’s a good spot for biking, picnics and bonfires.
• Venture out to Balboa Park, a great spot to appreciate San Diego’s unique biodiversity, with 16 gardens and a botanical house. Nature lovers can venture even further afield for the beautiful Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.
• There are over 15 museums located in Balboa Park including the San Diego Air & Space Museum, the San Diego Natural History Museum, and the San Diego Museum of Art. Head out to Seaport Village for some shopping and four miles of walking pathways.
Visit the San Diego Zoo! Explore the Australian Outback and see a koala colony, six iconic African habitats and dozens of tropical exhibits.

From parks and beaches to museums and a zoo, there is something for everyone to do in San Diego during the Annual Meeting.

APHA’s Annual Meeting is the largest annual gathering of public health professionals. Thousands of people attend, and thousands of new scientific papers are presented each year on every public health topic. APHA 2018’s theme, “Creating the Healthiest Nation: Health Equity Now” puts health equity at the center of our field’s attention.