Abundant valley sunshine and fresh ocean breezes instill a sense of well-being for groups that meet in Central California. Swirling wine in a glass while looking out at the land where the grapes were grown can serve as an apt metaphor for planting the seeds of productivity.
In this part of the state, inspiration can be drawn from all kinds of experiences and scenery, whether it’s the Pacific Ocean, fertile valleys or redwood-covered mountains. No wonder, then, so many stories of success start here.
Sacramento & Surrounds: Lands of Promise
“California Begins Here” is the tagline of the capital city of Sacramento, and that holds true on many fronts, including for the meetings trade, as many associations gather here to focus on core issues.
Ready to host groups with a mix of sophisticated convention facilities, unique special-event venues, a vibrant downtown, approximately 10,000 regional hotel rooms and an international airport, the city’s appeal offers promise for planners and attendees alike.
Near the Capitol is the Sacramento Convention Center, which provides 134,000 square feet of exhibit space, a 24,000-square-foot ballroom and 31 meeting rooms. It hosts numerous association functions each year including, more recently, the Service Employees International Union’s United Healthcare Workers West and the Religious Conference Management Association.
Just north of downtown, across the American River, is the 350-acre Cal Expo. Down the street, the Red Lion Hotel Woodlake Convention Center Sacramento is set on 18 acres and offers 50,000 square feet of conference facilities for up to 2,000 attendees. And just up Interstate is the 17,317-seat Sleep Train Arena.
In West Sacramento, the 15,000-seat Raley Field offers a variety of event suites and recently added a new 5,000-square-foot club area.
Southeast of Sacramento, Jackson entertains visitors with distinctly local attractions such as gold-mine tours and walking tours of the historic downtown. Groups can convene at the Jackson Rancheria Casino Resort, which offers flexible meeting space for up to 745.
Northeast of Sacramento, in Roseville, larger meeting venues include the Maidu Community Center, Eagles Hall and the downtown Vernon Street Town Square, which now has free Wi-Fi and a shaded stage. In nearby Rocklin, event spaces include Rocklin Event Center, the historic Finnish Temperance Hall and the Rocklin Community Center. Another 10 miles north, in Lincoln, the Catta Verdera Country Club can host up to 220 or private golf tournaments for up to 144.
Davis & Santa Cruz: Time for Recreation
Groups can focus on re-creation and recreation in these two active university towns. In Davis, 15 miles west of Sacramento, bicycles are popular forms of exercise and transportation (pedicabs also abound and the city is extremely walkable as well), while agendas fill up quickly with everything from cultural activities to tours of nearby wineries.
On the University of California/Davis campus, venues include the platinum LEED–certified UC Davis Conference Center, which offers 5,400 square feet of meeting space and a catering kitchen, and the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts, with a 1,800-seat hall and a 250-seat theater. Other local venues include the Wildhorse Golf Club, with clubhouse space for up to 150, and City Hall, with seating for up to 103.
Two hours south of Davis, picturesque Santa Cruz is set between the verdant Santa Cruz Mountains and peaceful Monterey Bay. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk has been drawing visitors for more than a century with rides and entertainment. Adjacent is Cocoanut Grove, a historic landmark overlooking Monterey Bay that has 20,000 square feet of space. Another attraction is the Seymour Marine Discovery Center, which can host special events of up to 335 in rooms with ocean views. More recently, a preponderance of small-batch breweries lead the creation of a unique activity: Brew Cruz, which tours groups of up to 15 to area breweries inside a vintage 1989 Thomas International school bus.
Key event sites include the University of California/Santa Cruz campus and the downtown Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium. At Pasatiempo Golf Course, Hollins House overlooks the city and the bay and welcomes groups of up to 250 or can be set up for banquets of up to 100.
On the accommodations front, Hotel Paradox recently enhanced its meeting spaces with updated outdoor staging and sound capabilities. And at the Chaminade Resort & Spa, which has an IACC-approved conference center, guest room renovations are expected to begin in November. In Aptos, the Seascape Beach Resort has refurbished its lobby, several of its 15 conference and banquet rooms and the Sanderlings Restaurant.
A few miles north of Santa Cruz, in the mountain town of Felton, groups can meet at Roaring Camp, which has indoor and outdoor event space. In addition, attendees can enjoy train excursions, hikes through the redwoods and gold panning. Another place for team-building is Mount Hermon Redwood Canopy Tours, which offers zip line adventures.
Down the coast, in Watsonville, is the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, which offers more than 33,500 square feet of function space. Farther inland, Gilroy is known for the annual summertime Gilroy Garlic Festival, held at the 51-acre Christmas Hill Park. The Gilroy Welcome Center also recently launched a new website—visitgilroy.com—with interactive information about local events and attractions.
The Monterey Peninsula: On the Brink of Big Things
Dramatic seascapes and towering redwoods are just some of the iconic images evoked with the mention of Big Sur. And Carmel is known for its art galleries, restaurants and shops, not to mention modern meeting facilities that will keep attendees from feeling cooped up. Together, the two just touch on everything coastal Monterey County has to offer for associations venturing its way.
Recently, the county was chosen to highlight its cities through the Google Maps Street View feature, so planners will now be able to view 360-degree panoramas of Monterey, Big Sur, Moss Landing, Salinas and Pacific Grove.
Aside from its gorgeous scenery, Monterey is home to several attractions with meeting rooms, including the Monterey Bay Aquarium and A Taste of Monterey. Located near Fisherman’s Wharf, where seafood-centric restaurants and whale-watching excursions abound, the Monterey Conference Center is scheduled to undergo a $45 million renovation that will include both physical and technological improvements. Construction is scheduled to begin in late November, with an expected reopening of the first floor in summer 2016 and a grand reopening of the entire renovated facility in early 2017. In partnership with adjacent hotels, including the Portola Hotel & Spa, which recently expanded its event technology, the center currently provides 61,000 square feet of flexible meeting space for up to 1,700.
Also nearby is the Golden State Theatre, the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey and the Naval Postgraduate School. Near campus is the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa, which recently renovated its 43,000 square feet of meeting space and installed the latest in technology.
On the tip of the Monterey Peninsula, Pacific Grove features attractions ranging from the historic Point Pinos Lighthouse to the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail. For events, the 107-acre Asilomar Conference Grounds offers high-tech capabilities, exhibit space and up to 30,000 square feet of meeting space.
In Pebble Beach, world-class golf resorts meet eye-popping coastal backdrops. The three Pebble Beach Resorts—the Lodge at Pebble Beach, the Inn at Spanish Bay and Casa Palmero—are set on 5,300 acres and feature nearly 30,000 square feet of combined meeting space and the Pebble Beach Golf Links.
Inland, in Carmel Valley, the Bernardus Lodge & Spa reopened in April after a multimillion-dollar renovation that included a redesign of the hotel lobby and all guest accommodations, technology upgrades to its meeting spaces and an expansion of the Meritage Ballroom. It can welcome groups of up to 200.
About 18 miles north, in Salinas, the National Steinbeck Center has meeting space for up to 600 people. In nearby Soledad (Spanish for “solitude”), Paraiso Vineyards has an event facility for up to 190 people. Also worth exploring are the 26,000-acre Pinnacles, an ancient volcanic field designated as a national park, and the historic Soledad Mission.
San Luis Obispo County: Inspiring By Nature
San Luis Obispo County nearly always shows its sunny side—it’s not hard with an average 315 days of sunshine a year. Touted as “The Happiest City in America,” San Luis Obispo balances pleasure with business acumen. California Polytechnic State University offers several meeting spaces, including the Performing Arts Center and the San Luis Obispo County Veterans Memorial Building.
In Pismo Beach, groups can stroll 23 miles of sandy beaches, hike the easy Shell Beach Bluff Trail or enjoy the bounty of nearby vineyards in Edna Valley, an American Viticultural Area. For meetings, the Veterans’ Memorial Hall has space for up to 600.
Northwest of San Luis Obispo, the village of Morro Bay (a.k.a. the “Gibraltar of the Pacific”) features a bustling waterfront and many farms and vineyards that welcome groups are just a short drive away.
For meetings, the Morro Bay Community Center has auditorium space for up to 537 people as well as smaller event rooms. Overlooking Morro Rock is the Inn at Morro Bay, which spent the first few months of the year renovating all of its public spaces and is surrounded by an 18-hole golf course. The area has also undergone a motel revival and updated properties include the Pleasant Inn Motel, Motel 6 and the Bayfront Inn.
From Morro Bay, it’s a scenic, 25-mile drive up to San Simeon and the legendary Hearst Castle, which offers tours and welcomes special events of up to 250 people.
Those wishing to partake of the local grape make the trip to Paso Robles and its 200 wineries. Downtown, the Paso Robles Inn is a unique overnight option. Beer drinkers will enjoy the Firestone Walker Brewing Company, which is open for tours and welcomes groups of up to 70 for special events in its Taproom Restaurant. Just north of town, in San Miguel, planners can organize meetings for up to 250 people in Parish Hall.
Solvang & Santa Maria: A Trip to Bountiful
Best known for its authentic Danish-village design and Scandinavian charm, Solvang is a popular getaway. Gatherings can be held at the Solvang Festival Theater and the historic Mission Santa Inés. The Elverhøj Museum of History & Art and the Solvang Veterans Memorial Hall can also host events.
Just south of town, the 10,000-acre Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort is a peaceful and historic setting and offers activities from horseback riding and canoeing to golfing and cycling. The resort offers nearly a dozen indoor and outdoor spaces to accommodate meetings and events.
Northwest of Solvang, in Buellton, the Santa Ynez Valley Marriott can host functions of up to 550, and groups can step in for a meal at the Hitching Post II restaurant, featured in the movie “Sideways.” Farther west, in Lompoc, groups can visit La Purisima Mission State Historic Park, a fully restored California mission complex surrounded by open countryside and 25 miles of trails.
Santa Maria is famous for its signature barbecue, with a half-dozen restaurants in town specializing in such meals. Information on local barbecue happenings can be found on santamariavalleybbq.com, the official area barbecue blog. For group functions, Santa Maria Fairpark is home to a convention center for up to 1,400 people and hosts the county fair.
Santa Barbara, Ventura & Oxnard: Optimism & Opportunities
Groups are occupied for days in the area that’s been called the American Riviera, with its golden hills, beaches and historic resorts, all of which add up to a vacation-like retreat for attendees.
Santa Barbara wins over planners with top-notch accommodations, activities and meeting venues. “Throughout the key California meeting markets, destinations like Santa Barbara become instant-value options for many association clients,” said Ron Johnson, co-founder of the San Francisco-based Mosaic Event Management. “The team in Santa Barbara, starting with the convention and visitors bureau, is proactive, fast to respond, understands their market strengths and presents them honestly and with passion. The hotels are plentiful, offering a wide range of options to meet any group’s size and rate guidelines. And if anyone needs to know if there are fun activities in Santa Barbara, all they have to do is visit once to understand the richness of the area.”
Large conventions and trade shows are well accommodated at the 34-acre Earl Warren Showgrounds. The Santa Barbara County Courthouse and its Sunken Garden are architectural wonders that can be used to host events of up to 3,000. The Santa Barbara Zoo has hilltop event space for upwards of 500 people, including the new Discovery Pavilion, an educational space with a large classroom and an art gallery.
Near Santa Barbara Harbor, the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum has space for up to 400 people. Docked in the harbor is Channel Cat, an 85-foot catamaran that offers 3,000 square feet of space. Another sailing option is the Santa Barbara Sailing Center, which offers regattas for team-building experiences. A few blocks away, on Stearns Wharf, is the Sea Center, which welcomes groups.
In downtown’s burgeoning Funk Zone, a district filled with wine-tasting rooms, eateries and art galleries, a new venue called the Narrative Loft offers 3,000 of space for up to 200 people. Heat Culinary School is also new and offers team-building cooking sessions for up to 50 people. Or for something a little different, groups can meet at Salt, an underground Himalayan salt cave that can accommodate up to 85 for events. Other central options include the renovated Lobero Theatre, the New Vic and the Museum of Natural History’s Fleischmann Auditorium.
The area’s resort presence is an appealing aspect for many visiting attendees. Overlooking the beachfront is the 24-acre, Mission-style Fess Parker, a DoubleTree by Hilton Resort. Just down the street is the Santa Barbara Inn, expected to reopen after a complete renovation later this year; plans include 70 guest rooms, a street-level restaurant and bar and a new conference room for up to 80. A few miles farther east along the coastline, the renovated lounge at the Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore is a great place to mingle.
In nearby Goleta, Kimpton Hotels opened the Goodland (formerly the Holiday Inn/Santa Barbara) last year with event space for up to 300. Farther west is the Bacara Resort & Spa, which plans to debut reconceived guest rooms and suites this summer. Additionally, the resort offers personalized concierge services for group wine outings, cooking classes and more.
Dawn Aronson, global account executive of ConferenceDirect, has used a variety of hotels for groups she’s brought to Santa Barbara over the past 11 years, including the Bacara, the Fess Parker, the Canary Hotel and the Hyatt/Santa Barbara. She said that in addition to easy booking and easy access, she likes the fact that there are planned activities for her delegates. “It always seems like the area is hosting events with lots of buzz, and the beaches and gorgeous weather keep people coming back, ” she said.
About 30 miles southeast of Santa Barbara, picturesque Ojai offers quaint shops and galleries and meeting hotels such as the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa. The Spanish hacienda-style property has been renovating its landmark Neff Lounge and pool area and is expected to complete a new restaurant by July.
Ventura, located about 70 miles northwest of Los Angeles, hosts group events each year, including the most recent annual meeting, conference and symposium of the North American Strawberry Growers Association and the summer convention of the National Onion Association. Both functions were held at the Crowne Plaza/Ventura.
“Ventura is an excellent meeting site with unique venues and reasonable prices,” said Wayne Mininger, executive vice-president of the National Onion Association. “The local CVB delivered on every promise and helped me visualize the variety and opportunities that this ‘old-school’ California beach town could offer. It’s surrounded by farming, industry, ocean and mountains—in a word: terrific!”
A free trolley runs from two major tourist points—Harbor Village and the historical downtown—and stops at many hotels along the way. And the city reported a significant increase in occupancy rates last year, a testament to its reasonable price points and variety of lodging that are available.
“People are discovering our great outdoor activities, meeting and sports venues, antique and outlet shopping and farm-to-table restaurants and museums,” said Rebekah Evans, executive director of the Ventura County Lodging Association. “Compared to Santa Barbara or Los Angeles, Ventura County West offers all this at a great value.”
Major venues for events include the Ventura County Fairgrounds, which can host up to 3,000. At the Museum of Ventura County, the Martin V. & Martha K. Smith Pavilion can host up to 200, and an adjacent plaza can host up to 140. Two blocks away, the WAV (Working Artists Ventura) is a LEED-certified artist community that has a large plaza, gallery and performance spaces free of charge to community and nonprofit groups. Other venues include the Rubicon Theatre, the Majestic Ventura Theater and the Four Brix Winery and Plan B Wine Cellars.
For hiking and kayaking adventures, attendees can take the ferry from Ventura to Channel Islands National Park. The eight islands are home to more than 2,000 species of plant and animal life. For other outdoor options, planners can turn to Ventura Bike Depot or groups can explore the harbor using electric boats, paddleboards or on a private charter.
Ten miles to the south is the bustling beach town of Oxnard. Notable event sites include the Oxnard College Performing Arts Center, with 2,000 square feet of meeting space, and the Oxnard Performing Arts & Convention Center, with space for up to 4,000. Heritage Square is also a popular pick, with an outdoor plaza, a restaurant, a theater and a wine-tasting room. The Scarlett Belle riverboat can accommodate up to 150.
The San Joaquin Valley: Focused on Productivity
Bakersfield is currently one of the state’s fastest-growing cities, known for its oil and agriculture. It’s also the birthplace of the country music genre known as the Bakersfield Sound.
The city’s largest meeting facility is the downtown, 70,000-square-foot Rabobank Arena, Theater & Convention Center, which has 29,500 square feet of exhibit-hall space, 13 breakout rooms and a 3,000-seat theater. The complex is connected to the Bakersfield Marriott.
Another major site for events is the 168-acre Kern County Fairgrounds. Other options in town include the Bakersfield Museum of Art, Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace and the 4,000-seat Bright House Networks Amphitheatre.
In the San Joaquin Valley, Visalia is a gateway to Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks and home to Mount Whitney (best viewed from the Interagency Visitor Center on Highway 395 just south of Lone Pine). Association groups based in Visalia can conduct their event at the Visalia Convention Center, which can accommodate up to 4,000 and is supported by a Marriott Hotel. Groups might also consider Rawhide Park, a minor league ballpark that can host upwards of 2,400 and offers special-event space within its Hall of Fame Club. Other options in town include the 1,275-seat Visalia Fox Theatre and Adventure Park.
Just south of Visalia, groups can meet in Tulare at the 190-acre International Agri-Center, which welcomes approximately 100,000 people each year during the World Ag Expo.
In Fresno, the Fresno Convention & Entertainment Center, with 91,000 square feet of space, is home to the Selland Arena, the Saroyan Theatre and the Valdez Hall. Across the street, the DoubleTree by Hilton/Fresno Convention Center recently completed a $7 million renovation, which updated its lobby, guest rooms, pool and fitness center.
Events may also be held at Big Fresno Fairgrounds, Chukchansi Park and Memorial Auditorium. Meeting spaces at California State University/Fresno include the Save Mart Center, the Smittcamp Alumni House, the auditorium at the Leon & Pete Peters Educational Center and the university’s business center.
In nearby Clovis, just a few miles from the area’s Fresno Yosemite International Airport, the Veterans Memorial District complex has 20,200 square feet of event space, including a 347-seat auditorium and a 6,365-square-foot ballroom.
About 95 miles up Interstate 5, Modesto welcomes groups with several venues. These include John Thurman Field, Modesto Centre Plaza, and the 1883 McHenry Mansion.
Stockton, located on the San Joaquin River, is another fast-growing city. In addition to year-round activities, the city features several flexible shorefront spaces for group events including the Banner Island Ballpark, Stockton Arena and the Weber Point Event Center. Additionally, the Bob Hope Theatre and Stockton Memorial Civic Auditorium are also used for events. Two educational institutions also offer space: San Joaquin Delta College, which makes available its 1,428-seat Atherton Auditorium, and the University of the Pacific, which offers its 6,150-seat Alex G. Spanos Center.
Ten miles north of Stockton, Lodi is considered a premier wine country destination. Many wineries in the area also have space to accommodate events.
Everything from festivals to awards ceremonies are held at Hutchins Street Square, which offers a 789-seat performing arts center. Other options include the 20-acre Lodi Grape Festival Fairgrounds and the LOEL Senior Center.
Shining Moments
Association events will enjoy their moment in the sun in the destinations of Central California. Cities in this region strive to make groups feel like they’re the talk of the town as convention and visitors bureaus pull out all the stops and attendees are catered to with the best of local offerings. With so much at their disposal, events can’t help but shine.