A paradise in progress.

Ever the ideal meeting destination because of its year-round perfect weather and wealth of scenic beauty and attractions, San Diego continues to expand on its allure with many new exciting developments.

For starters, the architecturally awesome San Diego Convention Center is currently undergoing a major expansion that will double the size of the existing facility to 2.6 million gross square feet. Several areas of the Center are being expanded to soon offer a total of 525,700 square feet of contiguous exhibit space, 72 meeting rooms, including two 40,000 square-foot ballrooms, and 284,500 square feet of space that will serve as prefunction, lobby, registration, and circulation areas. The project is scheduled for completion in September 2001.

Also slated for enhancement at the Convention Center is the Sails Pavilion, the building's architectural centerpiece. Major infrastructure improvements will include the addition of glass walls to 90,000 square-foot open-air, column-free area. The $10 million project is scheduled for completion in June of next year.

Post-Convention Fun

The world-famous San Diego Zoo recently unveiled its newest wildlife exhibits, "Ituri Forest," and the "Rainforest Aviary" where exotic animals and birds provide Zoo adventurers with an incredible rainforest experience. The Rainforest Aviary is one of the world's largest walk-through avian encounters with more than 50 species of exotic and endangered birds in a dense tropical jungle.

SeaWorld San Diego recently launched "Shipwreck Rapids," a thrilling ride through raging rapids and roaring waterfalls. Also new at SeaWorld is "Manatee Rescue" - a 215-gallon freshwater attraction that features a naturalistic environment for manatees and an underwater viewing gallery for guests.

San Diego's newest theme park, LEGOLAND California, is a 128-acre educational playground where kids and the young-at-heart discover, explore, and enjoy through hands-on recreation. The park features attractions and rides, and more than 1,000 LEGO models constructed from 30 million LEGO elements.

Downtown Rejuvenation 

The renaissance of Downtown San Diego continues to bring forth a hip mix of the best of the area with new developments that enhance Downtown's distinctive character. Many exciting new projects are underway and on the horizon for the city's gradual transformation into one of the hottest urban centers in the country to work and play. Among these developments are:

* Development of the 26-square-block Ballpark District, which will include a state-of-the-art, 42,000-seat ballpark to serve as home base for the San Diego Padres. Within the ballpark will be a lawn-seating area appropriately titled the "Park at the Park," which is expected to become one of the hottest special event venues in San Diego. Phase I of the Ballpark District will include 850 new hotel rooms in three new hotels, 600,000 square feet of office space, and 150,000 square feet of retail space for a variety of restaurants and shops.

* Development of a $40 million, 235-room Hilton Garden Hotel which is well underway and will be completed in mid-2000. Located at the foot of Fifth Avenue across from the Convention Center, the project also includes 32,000 square feet of commercial space, underground parking, and 20,000 square feet of retail space.

* A $24 million Courtyard By Marriott hotel is expected to be completed by late 1999. The 247-room hotel will include a grand lobby and restaurant.

* A new tower addition to the bayfront Hyatt Regency hotel is scheduled for completion in mid-2001.

* The legendary House of Blues will be the featured anchor in a multi-dimensional project known as "Music Village." The $20 million project, which also includes upscale lofts and associated parking, is expected to be finished in the fall 2000.