Viva San Diego! The Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego (formerly known as the Hyatt Regency San Diego) is the West Coast's tallest waterfront building. Located on San Diego bay, this beautiful hotel is located adjacent to San Diego's Convention Center, and just blocks from the restored, historic Gaslamp Quarter.

Natural beauty, exciting theme parks, and special surprises await you in the nation's seventh-largest city. San Diego lies in the southwestern corner of the country, on the United States-Mexico border. This beautiful city, sometimes called The Birthplace of California, was founded in 1769, when Spanish soldiers built California's first presidio (military fort) on the site. The settlement was named for San Diego de Alcala, a Spanish saint.

San Diego was voted the only area in the United States with perfect weather by Holiday Magazine. The average annual temperature is 70 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius), and the typical day is sunny and mild with low humidity.

While San Diego is best known for its near-perfect climate, miles of sandy beaches, and fun-filled waterfront activities, you'll also discover a city with a character and ambiance rich in the arts and culture. Balboa Park, the largest urban cultural park, located in the very heart of San Diego, is home to over 15 exciting museums and galleries, including:

* Reuben H. Fleet Science Center--Ranked as one of the largest planetariums in the world, it opened in 1973 as the world's first OMNIMAX Theater. Experience the 76-ft. dome screen with you-are-there sensation, the Sci-tours motion simulation attraction, and more than 60 hands-on science exhibits.

* Mingei International Museum--Six galleries of dynamic exhibitions feature timeless art from all cultures of the world--traditional and contemporary folk art, craft, and design.

* San Diego Museum of Art--Includes collections of Italian Renaissance, Dutch and Spanish Baroque Old Masters, as well as American, Modern, and Asian art treasures.

* Children's Museum/Museo de los Ninos--Offers art-based exhibitions and programs for all ages.

San Diego is home to one of the finest natural deep-water harbors in the world. The harbor, on San Diego Bay, serves ocean-going ships, tuna fleets, and United States Navy vessels, and plays an important part in downtown San Diego's make-up and charm. A vibrant, eclectic mix of neighborhoods, restaurants, businesses, shops, and attractions surround the harbor, including the historic Gaslamp Quarter, a district lit up with neon signs and the kinetic energy of people strolling Fifth Avenue in search of the ideal place to listen to jazz, rock, or blues. With 16 - 1/2 blocks full of restaurants, dance clubs, and local favorites all within walking distance of the Conference hotel, the Gaslamp Quarter is one place you will want to experience!

For the family-minded (or just the young at heart), there is the World-Famous San Diego Zoo, located in Balboa Park, and home to 800 different species, including a pair of rare giant pandas. The entire zoo is designed as a 100-acre tropical garden and can be visited on foot or on a special, three-mile guided bus tour.

Sea World San Diego, located in Mission Bay, is home to the famous killer whale Shamu and his family, as well as dolphins, sharks, manatees, penguins, polar bears, and sea creatures from around the world.

LEGOLAND California in North County is a kid-sized world of building blocks and creative imagination. Two of Southern California's premier attractions, Disneyland and Universal Studios, are within easy driving distance of San Diego.

What's a vacation without at least one shopping expedition? Between North County's upscale stores and the thrifty factory outlets on the international border lies a whole range of shop-portunities. Experience the nautical-themed Seaport Village (located right at the doorstep of the hotel), the old world charm of Del Mar Plaza, or the colorful Bazaar del Mundo in Old Town State Historic Park, an original settlement preserved to provide visitors with a glimpse of California in the Mexican and early-American periods, and featuring many international boutiques.

Whether you are interested in art and cultural offerings, beautiful historic sights, surf and sun, or the sights and sounds of nearby Mexico, San Diego has something for everyone to discover and enjoy, both young and old alike. This exciting, activity-packed city is the perfect choice for the 2002 ACEI International Conference & Exhibition!