San Diego Indoor Billboard Advertising with BeaconSM
Introducing BeaconSM from Balboa Insights, the future of advertising.
Make your business stand out in San Diego's most bustling communities with our growing network of indoor billboards, in-house design services, and advanced analytics.
Build awareness and trust in your brand with locals and tourists alike by connecting with them where they are: where they shop, dine, and play.
Reach your audience when they have time to engage with your brand and take action. Our network of digital billboards are placed in high-traffic, high-dwell areas throughout San Diego, ensuring maximum visibility for your message when customers have time to act.
Start today and receive a free month of advertising!
Get started today!What is Beacon? San Diego's Indoor Digital Billboard Network
BeaconSM lights the way with targeted digital billboards in San Diego's busiest venues. Reach your ideal customers in places like Downtown, Little Italy, and North Park with engaging ads that can't be skipped or scrolled past.
Don't have a design team? No problem! Our in-house design team will make your commercials for FREE. Just share your logo, colors, and any images you want to use and we'll do the rest.
Our real-time analytics track every click and conversion, ensuring you see the ROI you need. Hosts benefit from no-cost screens that enhance their space and offer free ad space to boost their brand.
For San Diego Advertisers
Capture customers in San Diego's busiest spots, from Downtown restaurants to gyms in PB. Whether you want to build loyalty with locals or attract tourists here for the weekend, BeaconSM from Balboa Insights delivers.
We will work with you to understand your ideal customer base, then help you select the best neighborhoods and businesses to advertise your business. Better yet, our design team will create eye-catching ads that resonate with your target audience.
Want to boost your brand visibility even more? Sponsor special content like weather reports, sports updates, and our San Diego Nonprofit Spotlight.
For San Diego Business Hosts
Host a cutting-edge digital billboard in your San Diego business at no cost. Enhance your space with a sleek, modern screen that attracts customers and keeps them engaged with dynamic content that informs and entertains.
As our way of saying thank you, you will also receive free ad space on your own screens as well as other local businesses to boost awareness for special events and promotions at your business.
Want to dial up the impact of your ads? The more screens you host, the more free ad placements you'll receive across San Diego, and the greater your advertising footprint.
Why Beacon's Indoor Digital Billboards Outperform Other San Diego Marketing Channels
For San Diego businesses generating $1M+ annually, reaching customers during high-engagement moments is critical. While Americans see 4,000 ads daily but remember only 1-3%, our indoor billboards connect with customers when they have time to read, engage, and take action.
Indoor Digital Billboards vs. Print Advertising
Flyers, brochures, and newspaper ads
Indoor Digital Billboards
- High-dwell engagement: Customers view your message during 5-15 minute wait times when they can actually read and act on it
- Immediate response: QR codes enable instant action during prime engagement moments
- Dynamic content: Animations capture attention in a world where people see 4,000 ads daily but remember only 1-3%
- Instant optimization: Change messaging in real-time - pivot your restaurant's lunch special based on morning performance
- Zero reprinting costs: Update campaigns without $500-$2,000 production expenses
- Free professional design: Save $2,000-$5,000 per campaign vs. hiring agencies
- Content ownership: You own all materials to repurpose across channels
Traditional Print
- Limited engagement time - 2-3 second glances while multitasking
- High production costs ($1,500-$3,000) with no testing ability
- Static content becomes invisible in today's attention-deficit environment
- No real-time optimization or performance tracking
- Requires separate design agency contracts and ongoing fees
Industry Example: High-End Dental Practice
Promote cosmetic services to patients waiting for appointments (15-minute dwell time) rather than hoping potential patients notice newspaper ads while rushing through morning routines.
Indoor Digital Billboards vs. Outdoor Billboards
Highway and street advertising
Indoor Digital Billboards
- Focused attention: 5-20 minutes to absorb and act vs. 3-7 seconds driving past
- Action-ready moments: Scan QR codes while waiting, not while navigating traffic
- Weather-protected ROI: No $2,000-5,000 weather damage repairs
- Instant optimization: Change campaigns immediately vs. $1,500-$3,000 installation costs
- Strategic placement: Relevant business environments and customer contexts
- Cost efficiency: $500-1,500 monthly vs. $3,000-$12,000 for prime locations
Outdoor Billboards
- Drivers pass at 35-65 mph focused on traffic safety
- Impossible to take action while driving
- Limited to simple messages due to brief exposure
- Weather damage and reduced visibility issues
- Expensive monthly rental in prime San Diego locations
Industry Example: Wealth Management Firm
Present detailed service offerings to affluent clients waiting in upscale medical offices (15-minute average) rather than hoping drivers remember a phone number glimpsed on I-5 during rush hour.
Indoor Digital Billboards vs. Radio Advertising
AM/FM and streaming radio
Indoor Digital Billboards
- Visual + extended engagement: Compelling visuals with 10+ minute dwell times vs. 30-second audio spots
- Immediate response: QR codes enable instant action during engagement moments
- Precise targeting: Financial services in country clubs, fitness ads in upscale gyms
- 24/7 presence: Continuous display vs. specific purchased time slots
- Performance tracking: Measure actual engagement through QR scans
- Free creative development: No $1,000-3,000 audio production costs
Radio Advertising
- Listeners multitask during 89% of radio consumption
- Cannot take immediate action while driving or working
- Audio-only limits complex messaging and visual branding
- Premium San Diego slots cost $2,000-8,000 monthly
- No engagement guarantees or detailed performance metrics
Industry Example: High-End Restaurant
Showcase mouth-watering food visuals to hungry customers waiting in nearby businesses vs. hoping radio listeners remember the restaurant name while stuck in traffic.
Indoor Digital Billboards vs. Direct Mail
Postcards, flyers, and catalogs
Indoor Digital Billboards
- Engaged audience: Customers view messages during relaxed waiting periods vs. sorting mail while distracted
- Immediate action: Scan QR codes during visits vs. setting aside mail for "later action"
- Real-time optimization: Adjust messaging based on daily performance
- Premium targeting: Reach affluent customers in upscale venues vs. broad ZIP codes
- Zero waste impact: Appeal to environmentally conscious San Diego consumers
- Measurable ROI: Track conversions vs. 0.5-2% typical response rates
Direct Mail
- 69% of mail discarded without opening (USPS data)
- Average household receives 454 pieces annually
- No immediate action capability - requires saving for later
- High printing, postage, and mailing list costs
- 2-3 week delivery delays with no performance tracking
Industry Example: Luxury Home Services
Target homeowners relaxing in upscale coffee shops with detailed before/after renovation visuals vs. hoping postcards survive the daily mail pile and kitchen counter clutter.
Indoor Digital Billboards vs. Online Ads
Google, Search, and display advertising
Indoor Digital Billboards
- Unblockable exposure: 100% message delivery vs. 30% ad blocker usage
- Extended engagement: 10-20 minute venue visits vs. 2-3 second online attention spans
- Local market dominance: Build community presence vs. competing globally for keywords
- Complement digital strategy: Reinforce online campaigns with real-world touchpoints
- Free professional creative: No $5,000-$15,000 monthly SEM agency fees
- Cross-platform ownership: Use venue creative across all digital channels
Online Ads
- 27% of clicks are accidental on mobile devices
- Average 2.35% click-through rate means 97.65% waste
- Requires $10,000-$25,000 monthly for meaningful local presence
- Ad fatigue reduces effectiveness over time
- Competing with global advertisers for limited attention
Industry Example: Boutique Law Firm
Present detailed expertise messaging to business owners during extended medical appointment waits vs. competing with 12 other attorneys bidding on "San Diego business lawyer" keywords.
Strategic Advantages for San Diego Businesses
Premium Market Positioning
- Upscale venue placement
- Affluent audience targeting
- Brand elevation through digital sophistication
ROI Optimization
- Performance-based optimization
- Cross-channel integration
- Measurable business impact
Operational Efficiency
- Centralized campaign management
- Single vendor relationship
- Scalable growth without complexity
San Diego Market by the Numbers
32
million
Annual tourist volume
Source: San Diego Tourism Authority
2.6
million
San Diego residents
Source: Census
$117k
dollars
Avg. resident income
Source: Census
36
years old
Avg. resident age
Source: Census
46%
of residents
College educated
Source: Census
380
thousand
Small businesses in San Diego
Source: US SBA
How BeaconSM Works for San Diego Businesses
1. Join the Movement
Sign up as an Advertiser or Host and become part of San Diego's most innovative local advertising network.
2. Choose Your Package
Select the plan that fits your business goals—whether you want to build awareness, drive conversions, or both.
3. Launch & See Results
Watch your campaign go live on high-traffic screens and start seeing real engagement, new customers, and measurable growth.
Pricing Packages for San Diego Indoor Billboard Advertising
Awareness Package: Build Local Brand Recognition
Start small and reach local San Diego customers.
Increase awareness for your business in San Diego. Build trust in the community by getting your name in front of customers where they live, work, and play every day.
Awareness details
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FREE commercial design and development
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Target customers in key locations
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Advertising footprint starting at 5 screens
Discounts available for increasing your advertising footprint -
Host one or more screens at your business to deliver special in-house promotions to your customers as well as get free advertising at other local businesses
Conversion Package: Drive Measurable Results
Get real-time data on your campaigns, messaging, and promotions.
Go beyond impressions with deeper engagement tracking. Capture real-time data on lead capture and offer redemptions to understand campaign performance.
Conversion details
- Everything from Awareness plus:
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Track customer engagement with your ads
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Serve promotions and measure traction
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Advertising footprint starting at 10 screens
Discounts available for increasing your advertising footprint -
Host one or more screens at your business to deliver special in-house promotions to your customers as well as get free advertising at other local businesses
Join the BeaconSM Waitlist for San Diego Businesses
Unfortunately, Beacon is not yet available in San Diego. Please complete the form below to be added to our waitlist and receive first priority when we launch Beacon later this year.
Having trouble with the form? Click here to see it on a new page.
Frequently Asked Questions about Beacon in San Diego
Not if you don't want to! We can create custom ads for you based on your brand guidelines and campaign goals. Just let us know your preferences, and we'll handle the design.
If you prefer to design your own ads, we can provide specifications and guidelines to ensure they look great on our screens.
Yes, we place billboards in high-traffic venues like restaurants and gyms in areas like Downtown and North Park, ensuring your ads reach as many people as possible.
You also have the option to target specific demographics and locations to maximize your ad's impact.
Absolutely, our sleek, modern screens complement high-end spaces, enhancing your brand while engaging customers.
Yes, we offer flexible monthly and annual options to suit your needs.
We're sorry, we're afraid that because of our business model, we are unable to offer post-paid terms.
Click here to sign up as a host and we'll contact you to discuss site suitability.
Ready to Outperform Traditional Marketing in San Diego?
Join San Diego businesses that are reaching customers during high-engagement moments.
Get started todayWhat San Diego Businesses Say About Beacon
“Beacon helped us reach new customers we never would have found online. The results were immediate!”
“Our event bookings increased by 40% after advertising with Beacon. Highly recommended for any local business!”
“We saw more foot traffic and new faces in our gym within weeks. The Beacon team made everything easy.”
Indoor Digital Billboards vs. Social Media Marketing
Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok ads
Indoor Digital Billboards
Social Media Ads
Industry Example: Luxury Auto Dealership
Showcase new models to prospects relaxing in high-end restaurant lounges (10+ minute dwell time) rather than competing with cat videos in social feeds.