Ernie Hahn

Ernie Hahn – A Leader in Sports, Entertainment, and Real Estate With over 34 years of experience in sports and entertainment, Ernie Hahn has left a lasting impact on San Diego’s live events and venue landscape. As General Manager of the San Diego Sports Arena from 1997 to 2020, he oversaw booking, marketing, sponsorship, and operations, managing the iconic 13,000-seat venue. In 2003, he earned his CVE (Certified Venue Executive) designation, further solidifying his expertise. Beyond the arena, Ernie was an owner and operator of the San Diego Gulls Hockey Club in the West Coast Hockey League (WCHL) and East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) from 1995 to 2006. Under his leadership, the Gulls won five Taylor Cup Championships in just eight years. He also played a key role in the creation of the WCHL, co-founding the league with his father, Ron Hahn. Ernie has been involved in over 4,000 events throughout San Diego and is the founder and partner of the Wonderfront Music Festival, a premier three-day festival on the downtown waterfront. He is also a founding partner and principal of the Del Mar Wine & Food Festival, which debuted in 2023, bringing together top culinary and wine experiences over five unforgettable days. Ernie specializes in leveraging one-of-a-kind relationships built over decades in sports, entertainment, and media. His deep connections and industry expertise allow him to promote, strategize, and execute events of all sizes. In 2024, Ernie transitioned into real estate, joining Pacific Sotheby’s International Realty at the Rancho Santa Fe office. Real estate has long been a passion for the Hahn family—his mother was a real estate agent, while his father and grandfather were pioneers in shopping centers and local development across San Diego and the U.S. With 55 years of deep ties to San Diego, Ernie brings an unmatched network and local knowledge to his clients. A Del Mar and North County native since 1973, Ernie attended grade school in Del Mar, graduated from La Jolla Country Day School, and earned his Bachelor of Science in Economics from Santa Clara University in 1990. A passionate surfer and golfer, he lives in Del Mar and remains deeply involved in the community. He is the creator of the Caddyhack Golf Festival, benefiting Boys to Men Mentoring, and the Del Mar Santa Crawl, which supports the Del Mar Lifeguard Association. He is also the co-founder and current president of the Blacks Beach Foundation, furthering his commitment to local causes.