Written by by Sargis Karavardanyan
The Western Political Science Association (WPSA) Annual Meeting of 2019 was held at the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel, in San Diego, California. I had the opportunity to present my research, meet distinguished scholars from a variety of fields, network with fellow graduate students, and receive valuable feedback and critique on my developing work.
I was excited to see that this year’s meeting would be held in San Diego, because it is truly a wonderful
place to visit all year round. Whether you’re in downtown, Gaslamp Quarter, or Seaport Village, there are a plethora of activities to do and sights to explore.
*All pictures of this blog were taken by me unless cited otherwise
It was an honor and a privilege to stay at the beautiful and luxurious Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel where the WPSA annual conference is usually held. The lobby of the hotel features a tall ceiling with classic and modern architectural designs. The unique style and exquisiteness of the hotel were eye-catching from the first moment I walked in. The hotel room I stayed in (the picture above on the right) had an amazing view of Seaport Village. Whether you are staying in this Grand Hyatt or a different location it is definitely worth a visit. It is a 5-minute walk to the harbor from Grand Hyatt.
A 2-minute walking distance from the hotel, you will find The Headquarters, a small open-air market featuring shops, restaurants, and entertainment. I visited a local gelato shop, Gelato Paradiso, selling authentic Italian gelato and sorbetto. I tried a hazelnut gelato, which was the most delicious ice cream I have ever had. It reminded me of my childhood favorite chocolate, Ferrero Rocher. It was such a pleasant experience that I had to return for another treat on my last day in San Diego.
For lunch I visited Puesto, also located inside the Headquarters. Puesto is a delicious Mexican restaurant, specializing in authentic tacos, a unique cocktail menu, and also one of the most delicious guacamoles I have ever tasted. The restaurant itself was very intriguing. It featured a modern design with colorful murals.
One of the most memorable experiences from my trip to San Diego was the beautiful sunsets I got to experience. There are plenty of benches for people to sit and enjoy the view. The temperature was slightly cooler and the warm breeze was pleasant. You will also get to see plenty of large and small boats floating in the Pacific ocean.
Seaport Village features a variety of dining options, shopping, tours, and street performers. Taking a stroll around the village you may notice statues and sculpture of unique design and structure.
This is the “Unconditional Surrender” Statue. This giant sculpture resembles the famous photo from 1945, taken in Times Square on V-J Day in 1945, of a US Navy sailor kissing a nurse. This sculpture is located beside the USS Midway Museum and is a walking distance from the Seaport Village. This sculpture is massive in size and is a wonderful experience to see in person. Many tourists come to San Diego to take a photo by this famous sculpture. There are also couples who try to re-create this scene with their significant other. Whether you passing by on your way to the USS Midway Museum or taking a stroll near the Seaport Village, it is definitely worth stopping to appreciate the beauty.
If you have the opportunity to take a break from your academic conference or other type of an official business, I highly encourage you to take a trip to La Jolla Cove, which is about a 25-minute drive from Seaport Village. It was a beautiful view of the coastline and there were plenty of sea lions and seals along with native plants and flowers to see. There are a variety of restaurants, coffee shops, unique boutiques, art galleries, and museums to visit and see at the village. I recommend bringing comfortable shoes for the walk, a jacket for when the weather starts to cool down, and a camera to take pictures of the beautiful sights and natural beauty La Jolla offers.
Another must-see when visiting San Diego is visiting the Gaslamp Quarter, especially in the evening as it is most famous for its vibrant nightlife. There are a variety of exciting bars, lounges, specialty restaurants, small shops, and theaters featuring both art and music.
I was so impressed with Puesto’s authentic Mexican food experience that I decided to continue the theme and visit El Chingon. They pride themselves as having a lively night-life. They had a variety of foods on their menu, featuring tacos, tortas and burritos.
Source: https://www.elchingon.com
Lastly, San Diego is rich in culture, art, and is overall an exciting and beautiful place to spend time with friends and family. When in Southern California, visiting this vibrant and exciting city is a must. I hope this short and concise blog post will give you some ideas on things to do and places to visit.