Gold Coast 2022 - Things To Do When Visiting San Diego

Welcome to San Diego and Gold Coast 2022

Agile IT is proud to be a sponsor of the Dept of the Navy’s Gold Coast 2022 conference, The largest Naval procurement event in the US. To welcome attendees to our fair city, we’ve put together a list of some great things to do in San Diego when you visit.

San Diego is one of the largest military communities in the United States and takes great pride in our service members and veterans. As such, there are tons of veteran and active-duty discounts as well a wealth of historic cultural locations to enjoy.

Liberty Station

Opened in 1923 as the Naval Training Center, Liberty Station is a wonderful destination with top tier shopping and dining amid a living history museum. The former dining facility is partially occupied by Solare, a Michelin Bib Gourmand Italian restaurant which is still surprisingly easy to get reservations for. Other things to check out are Stone Brewing’s fabulous outdoor patio, the Liberty Station Public Market, and the USS NeverSail.

USS Midway Museum

The longest serving aircraft carrier of the 20th Century, the USS Midway was built and commissioned in a mind blowing 17 months, missing service in World War 2 by just one week when commissioned on September 10th, 1945. The Midway saw a wide variety of engagements, with its pilots shooting down the first and last MIGs of the Vietnam war, leading the evacuation of Saigon and serving as flagship Desert Storm. Today the unique museum hosts multiple theatres, combat flight simulators and exhibits detailing the ships storied history. Active-duty Military can visit for free, while Veterans can get $8 off admission.

Maritime Museum

While the Star of India sits as the crown jewel of the San Diego Maritime Museum, as the world’s oldest active sailing ship, there is tons to see at this iconic water front attraction, including the world’s deepest diving submarine, the USS Dolphin and the 1898 steam ferry, the Berkeley. But don’t just stay ashore! The Maritime Museum offers a 75-minute harbor tour on a Patrol Craft Fast (PCF), better known as the Swift Boat, the iconic river patrol boats used in Vietnam.

Balboa Park

Set aside as City Park in 1868, Balboa Park earned its name in 1910 as the city prepared for the 1915 Panama California Exposition. Today the park is host to 17 museums, an international village, and 1200 acres of stunning landscaping overlooking downtown. The best deal in the park is the Explorer’s Pass which gives you access to all the museums for seven days, or a single day pass which is good for up to four museums. (Local tip: Buy an annual zoo membership and an annual explorer family pass for a full year of fun weekends).

Beaches

If you are a military retiree, DOD employee, reservist, or otherwise have access to on-base facilities, San Diego’s military bases offer some of least crowded and most pristine beaches in San Diego. Breakers Beach and Gator Beach on Coronado Island are maintained as MWR facilities and are a great way to beat the heat AND the crowds typical of the area’s beaches.

If you don’t have access to MWR facilities, there are still tons of beaches to enjoy. La Jolla Cove is possibly the most iconic, but please leave the sea lions alone, instead take the time to visit Sunny Jim’s Sea Cave, a 122-year-old smugglers tunnel hidden in the back of the aptly named Cave Store. Sunset Cliffs is a beach comber’s dream if you visit at low tide for the amazing tide pools. If you want to relive the days of being a young and reckless service member visit Pacific Beach on any weekend evening and see the wild life, aka marines, sailors, and college students interact in their natural habitat. We are joking here, leave the young ones alone, they are often feral and more dangerous than the sea lions.

SeaWorld

If you are coming into town early, Sea World’s Waves of Honor Program is offering Veterans and up to 3 direct dependents free admission to the park until September 5th. Active-duty military can redeem the offer until December 31st.

Come Say Hello at Gold Coast 2022!

Agile IT will be at booth 733 at Gold Coast 2022, where we will be talking about meeting CMMC with Microsoft 365 and Azure Government and demonstrating methods to meet specific controls within the platform. To schedule an appointment, either in person or online, fill out the form below. We look forward to seeing you.