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Guide to SMMW25 - San Diego
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items Social Media Marketing World is a huge social media conference that happens each Spring in San Diego. This list is meant to be used as a guide for conference-goers to check out new places to explore, unique restaurants, things to pack, conference mat...
Sections
8
Where to Explore
Where to Eat
Where to Sip
Where to Stay
What to Pack
Podcasts of Note
Where to Explore
Some of the must-see sights in San Diego just happen to be super close to the San Diego Convention Center. Take time to explore with new connections and old friends!
Balboa Park is such a treasure, and it's so close to the part of San Diego where SMMW is. Definitely take time to explore here! Maybe plan a mini photoshoot? (I know a photographer...)
Balboa Park
The Padres will be playing while we're in town, and it's a really fun thing to do with a group of SMMW attendees. :)
Petco Park: Home of the Padres | San Diego Padres
Fun shopping, great views, boats for rent to tour the bay, wine sipping... I love Seaport Village.
Seaport Village
So much great history, great photo-ops, and so much to see and learn. Definitely worth the visit!
USS Midway Aircraft Carrier | San Diego Museum | San Diego Tours
I highly recommend taking a ferry across the bay to Coronado Island. Great shopping, delicious food, the Coronado Hotel, beach fun... just do it. You won't be sorry!
Coronado Visitor Center | Enjoy Coronado Island
I've never visited the Flower Fields before, but I've heard so many great things! Recently, Deb Mitchell posted about them in the SMMW25 Facebook Group. :)
The Flower Fields of Carlsbad California
If you have the free time to do this, you really should!
Whale Watching Tours San Diego
It's so obvious that I almost left it off of this guide, but here it is just the same. It goes without saying that this zoo is legendary. ;)
San Diego Zoo
Where to Eat
San Diego is packed with delicious places to eat… let me save you a little bit of time with these suggestions. :)
Delicious food and cocktails, and super short walk to Balboa Park!
The Corner Drafthouse • San Diego, CA
It's right across the street from the San Diego Convention Center, and the food is delicious! You'll walk by Tin Fish a million times during SMMW25... might as well do yourself a favor and try it!
The Tin Fish Restaurants | San Diego, CA – Gaslamp District
Delicious food! FYI -- This is the official Minnesota Vikings bar in San Diego, if you happen to be a fan. ;)
The Garage | San Diego's Official Minnesota Vikings Bar
More great food and lots of patio seating!
UNION - Downtown San Diego Restaurant Bar Gaslamp Happy Hour, Brunch, Dinner & Late-Night Menu
Incredibly Instagrammable, also known for having a champagne vending machine... ;)
Morning Glory | Breakfast
Love the vibe here, and love the food too. If you do go here, make sure you ask what's behind the wall of kegs...
Neighborhood Restaurant
Where to Sip
Whether it's wine, beer, cocktails or coffee, hopefully this list helps you nail down some adventurous and memorable plans!
This is one of the very first stops I make every single time I come to San Diego for Social Media Marketing World. Great wine, right at the edge of Seaport Village.
San Pasqual Winery - Seaport Village (San Diego) Tasting Room
A short uber away, down in Little Italy -- if you're a craft beer lover, you're going to want to do a flight here. Explore Little Italy a bit while you're at it!
LITTLE ITALY - Ballast Point Brewing
Sip & Eat here! Might I suggest the margarita flight?
Karina's Mexican Seafood
My husband and I once held a pre-SMMW Skeeball tournament here and it was a blast. The drinks are great too!
Coin-Op Game Room - Gaslamp, San Diego, CA
Close to the Convention Center, at the edge of the Gaslamp. Great coffee!
Achilles Coffee Roasters
There's a location in the East Village right off J Street! Also close to the San Diego Convention Center.
Copa Vida | East Village
Found behind a wall of beer kegs, near the back of The Neighborhood (a restaurant) is this incredible Speakeasy. You will need to make reservations, and I do feel like I remember it being pretty close to PARQ.
Noble Experiment | Speakeasy
Where to Stay
Great hotels to consider that are close to the San Diego Convention Center, the Gaslamp Quarter, and Seaport Village.
The home hotel of SMMW!
San Diego Hotels | Hard Rock Hotel San Diego
Another of the official SMMW hotels!
Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter Hotel
Super close to the convention center, has a great bar to relax/work in between sessions or at the end of the day. Love the pool area too!
Omni San Diego Hotel | Hotels in San Diego, CA
Right on the bay, and a short walk from the convention center! Has a fantastic pool area and a fun bar.
Hotel in San Diego, CA | San Diego Marriott Marquis
Beautiful bay views, right next to Seaport Village and a nice walk to the convention center.
Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego | Book Your Waterfront ...
Fantastic hotel, but it's SMMW-legendary for its rooftop bar. :)
Hotel Indigo San Diego-Gaslamp Quarter
What to Pack
Travel & Conference Must-Haves, based on years of experience! ;)
These are the best! Gotta pack comfy clothes for sleeping and traveling!
Cloud Shorts
We all know that airplanes get cold.. make sure you're all cozy and snug. This hoodie is even weighted!
Signature Fit Hoodie
I will not travel without these! I love how they fit, the ease of use and of course, the color. I also use them for podcasting!
Beats Studio Pro x Kim Kardashian – Moon
It really helps to have a backpack as you're walking around the conference. This one's also great as a personal item during travel! Chic and productive!
kate spade Women's Hudson Pebbled Leather Bag
It's easy to pack, smells amazing, and gets the job done. I swear by these hand sanitizers!
Touchland Glow Mist Hand Sanitizer Spray
Some of the best (and cutest) walking shoes! I will immediately repurchase these once my first pair wears out.
Jeossy Women's Casual Fashion Sneakers 8010
If you like to take notes in a notebook, this is your reminder to pack one! I love this one because of the double bookmarks and the wide spaces.
Kate Spade XL Vegan Leather Notebook, Black
Since we'll be walking a lot, this helps prevent those icky night cramps. It also helps with sleep!
Magnesium Glycinate 500mg Capsules, 240 Ct
These are super comfortable as well as fashionable. Great for long days of walking!
Sam Edelman Women's Langley Lace Up Sneaker
I swear by this deodorant! It smells amazing and keeps you fresh!
SALT & STONE Extra Strength Deodorant 2.6 oz
Power banks are a must-have at SMMW. I'd almost buy 2 just to be sure!
Charmast 20000mAh Portable Charger, Fast Charge
These are my favorite pens ever. We even used them at our wedding for guests to sign the guestbook. <3
U Brands Catalina Felt Tip Pens, Set of 6
Podcasts of Note
This is a compilation of podcasts that are hosted by both speakers and attendees of SMMW25. Enjoy!
A fantastic marketing podcast, hosted by Social Media Examiner's Mike Stelzner.
Social Media Marketing Podcast : Social Media Examiner
This is my podcast! We're in our 8th season and going strong.
Making a Marketer
If you're into the latest in marketing, Melanie and Esther have you covered every week!
Monday Morning Marketing | Podcast
Love David's mission through this show!
Return on Wellness w David T Stevens
Mandy and Jaime cover a lot of fun topics in their podcast!
Coffee with M and J
Phil Mershon is one of the most experienced #EventProfs out there! (and he also used to be my boss! :)
The Event Innovator Show with Phil Mershon
If you love to learn new ways of analyzing content performance, this is your place!
That Analytics Podcast | Amanda Webb
Pat Flynn gives incredible business insights in the Smart Passive Income Podcast! Very motivating.
Smart Passive Income Podcast with Pat Flynn
Jeff Sieh continues to bring us social media news every single week! Are you already a listener?
Social Media News Live
In his podcast, Natchi curates social media & AI news to keep his audience updated on the latest.
Connected Church
From growing a podcast, to content creation, and everything in between, Katie Brinkley is dropping value-packed episodes twice a week!
Katie Brinkley | Rocky Mountain Marketing- Digital Marketing, Social Media for Entrepreneurs
Sessions of Note
I'm bookmarking this section to complete after the conference to include awesome sessions I attend and speakers I happen to meet. Stay tuned, but here's a tiny start!
Already knowing that he's a fantastic speaker, I'm adding him to this list pre-conference. Will I see you in his session?
Pat Flynn
I've heard Mark speak many times, and I know this session is going to be amazing. Hope to see you there!
Marketing Keynote Speaker, Strategy Consultant, and Author | Mark Schaefer
One of the most engaging speakers I've ever witnessed, with a unique and enlightening message. Can't wait to see him again this year!
Marcus Sheridan | Keynote Speaker | Sales, Marketing, Leadership
Speaker-Recommended Tools
I'm bookmarking this section to complete after the conference to include awesome tools that speakers mention during their session, or sponsors that I think are super useful. Stay tuned!
I'm jumping the gun here, but I know at least one speaker will be mentioning Canva during SMMW. As a content creator and social media manager, I LIVE in Canva!
Login to your Canva account
If you're using AI for work and you haven't tried Magai yet, I highly-recommend it. Great community and wonderful tool!
Magai · Your ChatGPT-Powered Super Assistant