Set along the sparkling shoreline of Mission Bay, the Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa offers meeting planners a tropical escape in the heart of San Diego. With 310 guest rooms tucked amid palm trees, koi ponds, waterfalls, and the resort’s famous resident parrots, the Catamaran blends laid-back Polynesian charm with modern comfort, all just 8 miles from San Diego International Airport. Guest rooms, studios, and suites each feature private balconies or patios with views of Mission Bay, the Pacific Ocean coastline, or the lush resort gardens.
For events, the Catamaran provides 14 flexible indoor and outdoor venues designed to accommodate everything from intimate strategy sessions to large-scale conferences. The resort’s largest space, the Kon Tiki Ballroom, a soaring A-frame ballroom with a dramatic 25-foot ceiling, hosts up to 425 attendees and pairs natural light with architectural character. Many rooms open onto patios with sweeping bay views, while the private sandy beach offers an unforgettable toes-in-the-sand setting ideal for receptions, team building, or relaxed networking events.
Groups also can take their gathering onto the water aboard the William D. Evans, the resort’s classic stern-wheeler boat. Complete with stained-glass details and vintage charm, the vessel cruises Mission Bay and accommodates up to 450 attendees for dinners, celebrations, or sunset receptions that feel uniquely San Diego.
The Catamaran’s experienced team makes planning seamless, coordinating catering, beach picnics, custom meeting packages, and on-site activities. From paddleboard relays to casual bonfires, the options help groups blend productivity with play.
Dining is another highlight. Oceana Coastal Kitchen, the resort’s signature bayfront restaurant, features chef-driven California cuisine in a welcoming waterfront setting. Moray’s offers a more relaxed vibe with craft cocktails, local beer, and outdoor seating illuminated by tiki torches and fire pits. For grab-and-go needs, Lava Java serves coffee, smoothies, and light bites right off the lobby.
Between sessions, attendees can recharge at the lagoon-style pool, unwind in beach cabanas, or join seasonal outdoor yoga overlooking the bay. The Catamaran Spa, the only beachfront spa in San Diego, offers treatments using tropical botanicals and marine-based products. Just steps away, attendees can rent paddleboards, kayaks, sailboats, or beach cruisers to explore the surrounding coastline.
With Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, SeaWorld San Diego, the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Balboa Park, and the Gaslamp Quarter all nearby, the Catamaran combines resort relaxation with easy access to iconic city attractions. For planners seeking a meeting destination that inspires creativity and productivity combined with the spirit of a tropical vacation, this bayside retreat delivers it all.
