San Diego—Local Arrangements
Our CAIR conferences are always a great opportunity to hear interesting speakers, network with colleagues, and experience another part of California. This year, the area is my ‘hood—I live just two miles from the Mission Valley DoubleTree Hotel—so I can tell you about some of the features that await you in Hazard Center, where the hotel is located. (Hazard is the family name of the developer, by the way, not an omen of danger.)
| Interested in food? You have many options! The All American Grill is a sports bar and restaurant just steps from the DoubleTree. Maria Maria, at the eastern end of Hazard Center, is the latest of the musician Carlos Santana’s restaurants, offering regional Mexican cuisine with a modern flair. More casual eateries include Joe’s Crab Shack,Applebee’s, and Quiznos—plus, there are signs in a window sayingSmashburger is coming soon. For breakfast, you can run over to Starbucks or Intermezzo Espresso. And for a quick treat, Yogurtland sells frozen yogurt by the ounce, with an ample selection of flavors.
Want to shop? There’s a big Barnes and Noble bookstore in Hazard Center, but the real shopping is just one trolley stop away in Fashion Valley Mall. This mall features Apple, Microsoft, and Sony stores for the technologically inclined, as well as department stores like Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy's, Bloomingdale's, and JCPenney. For the seriously fashion conscious, there’s Gucci, Caroline Herrera, Hermés, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., M.A.C., Tory Burch, and more. Looking for entertainment? Old Town San Diego is only three trolley stops away, and all interested parties will migrate there for a night in Old Town after our Thursday evening reception. Old Town has lots of Mexican restaurants, souvenir shops, and some historical attractions. |
I hope to see you in San Diego!
Cel Johnson
Executive Director for Institutional Research and Planning, University of San Diego