Tourism

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San Diego’s tourism Industry

Dubbed by Fodor’s as a “vacationer’s paradise” and by the U.S. Weather Bureau as “the closest thing to perfect weather in America,” San Diego is one of the top visitor and convention destinations in the world. Visitor activity in the region supports one in eight jobs related to the hospitality industry directly and indirectly. In 2023, nearly 80 percent of tourist spend was at businesses other than lodging, contributing to thriving local businesses in food service, attractions, and transportation.

The award-winning San Diego International Airport makes the region accessible to travelers across the globe, with nonstop service between more than 80 destinations. Millions of visitors explore more than 70 miles of coastline, stay in state-of-the-art hotel and convention spaces, see cute pandas Yun Chuan and Xin Bao at the San Diego Zoo, and enjoy an array of entertainment options including sports.

Over the last few years, San Diego has established its reputation as a sports town. Record crowds in the tens of thousands cheer for the Padres at Petco Park, ranked the #1 MLB stadium in the U.S., and enjoy watching the 2023 NWSL Shield winners San Diego Wave FC at Snapdragon Stadium. San Diego is set to welcome its new MLS team, San Diego FC, in 2025.

San Diego Convention Center (SDCC) was recently ranked #4 among best convention centers in the country (Wall Street Journal, 2023). SDCC hosts the globally-acclaimed Comic-Con International, attracting 135,000 attendees in 2024, and will be hosting TwitchCon through 2028.

JOBS

206,767

VISITORS (2023)

31.8M

TOURIST SPEND (2023)

$14.3B

Key Companies

  • Comic-Con Museum
  • Del Mar Fairgrounds
  • Hotel Del Coronado
  • Hornblower Cruise and Events
  • Legoland
  • Pendry San Diego
  • Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens

Key Resources

San Diego Tourism Authority is a private, non-profit, mutual benefit corporation composed of approximately 1,000 member organizations, businesses, local governments, with the objective to promote and market the San Diego region as a preferred vacation and meeting destination. Since 2021, SDTA has run a Tourism Accelerator to provide resources for businesses owned by people of color, women, veterans, and those in LGBTQ+ community to facilitate stronger connections with and success in San Diego’s tourism industry.

San Diego Convention Center Corporation is a non-profit public benefit corporation created by the City of San Diego to manage, market, and operate the 2.6 million square foot Convention Center located along the waterfront in downtown San Diego.

San Diego: Life. Changing., an EDC initiative, amplifies opportunities at San Diego life sciences and tech companies and highlights the long-term career offerings, lifestyle options, and life-changing companies available to those who call our region home.

More on the industry

San Diego’s Good News of the Year 2024

San Diego’s Good News of the Year 2023

Is San Diego a sports town? 2023 points to yes.

Question about this Industry Profile? Get in touch:

Liz Muthoni
Liz Muthoni

Coordinator, Economic Development