Grab a Bite to Eat

• Anthony's by the bay
  
  There are tons of great restaurants near the convention center fitting every price range and every taste. If you're looking for a cheap and quick salad, visit Ralph's Downtown for a quality salad bar loaded with excellent meats, cheeses and veggies.
  
  For seafood, head down the water to Anthony's Fishette, where you can get top-quality fried fish at a great price. When you're looking for a steak, Ruth Chris' across from Anthony's is a good bet. Otherwise, the suggestively named Gas Lamp Strip Club is a fun place that allows you to cook your own.
  
  A great budget option is the Spaghetti Factory, between the Strip Club and Petco Park. It offers an array of pasta dishes paired with a salad, bread, drink and dessert for as low as $10.
  
  If you're looking for something more specific in the area, try looking at Yelp.com where user-submitted suggestions can help you choose a good restaurant offering the cuisine you hunger for.
  
  

Visit Sea Port Village

• A glimpse of the Sea Port
  
  Sea Port Village is, admittedly, a bit of a tourist trap. Fortunately, that doesn't mean its not worth visiting. This adorable selection of shops beside the bay offers a pleasant stroll and a fun shopping experience for the whole family. Even if you aren't enjoying the shops, the view of the bay is just stunning and entirely relaxing.
  Best of all, it's right to the west of the convention center.
  
  

Check Out a Ball Game

• Beautiful Petco Park
  
  While the Padres are hardly one of the nation's favorite teams, they're still part of America's favorite pastime. Plus, Petco Park is truly an inspiring and beautiful ball park, complete with a mini-diamond for the little ones to play on.
  
  

Go to a Park

• The Children's Museum Park
  
  There are two lovely parks by the convention center. One of these parks is directly in front of the main entrance just in front of the Children's Museum. This first option has a lovely fountain and an interesting layout of tiny hills covered in grass. It seems to be inspired by the late Dr. Seuss.
  
  For a larger, more classic park with a great view of the harbor, walk behind the Convention Center and through Sea Port Village. Just at the end of the peninsula is a traditional park with grills, grass and gazebos paired with a lovely view.
  
  

Visit the Children's Museum

• The Children's Museum exterior
  
  The San Diego Children's Museum is one of the city's most underrated daytime activities. It's only a few blocks from the Convention Center and has a constantly shifting array of educational exhibits.
  
  The museum focuses on art and science in a truly fun and mentally stimulating manner for adults and kids alike.
  
  

Go Shopping

• The creative design of Horton Plaza
  
  Horton Plaza is a beautiful mall with upper-class shops and a unique layout. There are also a number of hip boutiques between the mall and the Convention Center that aren't to be missed.
  
  

Sample the Nightlife

• Tacky times at Dick's
  
  Whether you're into clubbing or concerts, the San Diego nightlife offers a little something for everyone. There are Irish pubs, chic nightclubs, dive bars, a bowling alley and concert venues. Top picks include The Yard House, Envy, Dick's Last Resort, The East Village Tavern & Bowl and the Hard Rock Cafe.