Local Tours for Attendees

While visiting San Diego, attendees at the AAAS Annual Meeting can take advantage of specially designed scientific and local tours. A selection of six tours for scientists and their families are offered before, during, and after the conference.

Inside view of DIII-D Tokamak

[Photo courtesy of General Atomics and
the U.S. Department of Energy]

Scientific Tours

General Atomics: Fusion Facility Tour

Monday, 22 February, 1:00PM - 5:00PM

See the nation's foremost magnetic confinement fusion research facility and learn about fusion energy production. Attendees will walk through the DIII-D National Fusion Facility and see plasma and magnetic confinement demos, the DIII-D itself, multi-megawatt microwave producers, and more.

Cost: $0

Pre-registration is required online through the AAAS Meetings Registration site.

San Diego Supercomputer Center: We’re Awash in Data: Now What?

Monday, 22 February, 1:00PM - 5:00PM

The Center commemorates its 25th anniversary as one of the original four national centers launched in 1985 by the U.S. National Science Foundation. Take a tour of the new “green” data center and learn about advances and cutting-edge research made possible by new data-intensive, high-performance computing resources.

Cost: $0

Pre-registration is required online through the AAAS Meetings Registration site.

The Built Environment and Cross-Border Flows of Pollution

Monday, 22 February, 1:00PM - 5:00PM

The San Diego-Tijuana region along the U.S.-Mexico border is one of the most dynamic urban centers in the world. Accelerated population growth, mostly unplanned and haphazard development, and infrastructure gaps in the binational Tijuana River Watershed have led to chronic problems around cross-border flows of sediment, trash, and hazardous waste. This tour will visit the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve and another site along the U.S.-Mexico border to observe the impacts first hand.

Cost: $30

Pre-registration is required online through the AAAS Meetings Registration site.

Ruben H. Fleet Science Center

Friday, 19 February 2010, 9:30AM - 8:00PM
Saturday, 20 February 2010, 9:30AM - 7:00PM
Sunday, 21 February 2010, 9:30AM- 6:00PM
Monday, 22 February, 9:30AM - 5:00PM

With over 100 hands-on science exhibits and San Diego’s only IMAX® Dome Theater, the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center has something for everyone. Conference attendees will receive FREE admission to our exhibit galleries and discounted IMAX admission of just $8.50 on February 19 (open until 8pm), 20 (open until 7pm), 21 (open until 6pm), and 22 (open until 5pm). Present your conference badge at the ticket counter to receive this offer.

Cost: $0 (IMAX films just $8.50 each)

Pre-registration is not required.

[Photo © Flickr user “Slack12”]

San Diego Tours

Available through a designated AAAS tour operator

Deep Sea Fishing Tour

Thursday, 18 February 2010, 8:00AM - 2:00pm
Monday, 22 February 2010, NOON - 6:00pm

This tour is perfect for the beginner and the casual angler. Fishing ranges from La Jolla south to Imperial Beach, giving you a good view of the California coastline. It is a favorite trip for families looking to spend some time together on the water. You will fish for rockfish, lingcod, sculpin, and sheephead. The crew will help first-timers set up gear and get fishing. If you have a little more experience, they can give you some pointers to make you trip more enjoyable. All our boats have full-service galleys.

Cost: $145.00

Pre-registration is required before 28 January 2010. To register click here.

Whale Watching with a Scripps Naturalist

Thursday: 18 February 2010 1:00PM - 5:30PM
Friday: 19 February 2010, 1:00PM - 5:30PM
Monday: 22 February 2010, 1:00PM - 5:30PM

The incredible 7,000-mile migration of the majestic California Gray Whale from Alaska to Mexico begins in December and continues through March. This is one of the most amazing migrations in the world and it takes place right through the waters off San Diego. A naturalist from the Birch Aquarium at Scripps will provide expert narration on the fascinating migration and life of the Gray Whale. The 3-hour cruise allows close-up views of whales, dolphins, and other local sea life. The boat is equipped with inside and outside seating. Dry snacks, soft drinks, and restrooms are on board.

Cost: $70.00

Pre-registration is required before 28 January 2010. To register click here.

San Diego Zoo Special Tour

Saturday, 20 February 2010, 1:00PM - 5:00PM
Sunday, 21 February 2010, 1:00PM - 5:00PM

See the San Diego Zoo the way everyone wishes they could - from behind the scenes. This exclusive, 90-minute tour is filled with experiences and information not available anywhere else. It is a great introduction to the zoo's mammal, bird, and plant collections as well as the newly opened Elephant Odyssey exhibit, which explores prehistoric fossil evidence, extinction causes, current wildlife species, and conservation projects at work. This special tour includes a private bus tour and a visit to one off-exhibit area.

Cost: $107.00

Pre-registration is required before 28 January 2010. To register click here.