Smart Meetings

The Central Coast follows the same pattern, lined with rocky cliffs to one side and soft, sandy stretches of beach on the other. Defined as the span of shoreline between San Francisco and Los Angeles, it’s where a curvy coastline meets the Pacific Ocean, and where seven counties of the Golden State call home. For planners, the Central Coast is also where attendees can find a balance between getting business done and taking some much-needed time to breathe.

“It’s away from the hustle and bustle of larger cities and has an untouched quality,” says Millie Matz, president of the California Central Coast Tourism Council. The Central Coast isn’t packed with tourists or residents, and it enjoys a laid-back way of life, Matz says. Its secluded beauty also plays an important role in the area’s sense of place and makes it a stand-alone among the many meeting destinations. “There’s a sense of authenticity,” she says. “There’s a lot of small-town charm, yet [the Central Coast] has all of the amenities you’d find in a big city,” she says.

More specifically, the Central Coast stretches nearly 300 miles from Monterey to Ventura County, and offers more than 14,000 square miles of naturally beautiful and widely varied California landscape. For outdoor enthusiasts, the region also encompasses six mountain ranges, making it ideal for recreation in all seasons.

Indoors, the state continues to shine, particularly on your attendees’ plates. “We are the salad bowl of the U.S.,” says Bruce Skidmore, director of sales for the Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau. “We grow so much produce, such as spinach, artichokes, garlic, cherries, tomatoes, strawberries and lettuce,” he says. But the list doesn’t stop there. The region is also the main producer of grapes (due to its temperate climate), and ships its product all over the state. “The Central Coast’s close proximity to the ocean and to fertile land makes it ideal for fresh seafood, combined with organic produce and award-winning wines,” Matz says. “It’s a foodie’s paradise.”

Both indoors and out, the Central Coast offers a combination that is unparalleled. A destination known for great cuisine, great scenery and great meeting venues leaves little for a planner not to like. “It’s a rich environment, both on land and sea,” Matz says.

MONTEREY

Seaside, as well as incredible seafood, is the name of the game in the city of Monterey. With cool ocean breezes and blue skies (and blue water) as far as the eye can see, Monterey is not only charming, but also filled with intriguing meeting venues for groups of any size. “We are a great getaway,” Skidmore of the Monterey CVB says. “You always want the yin and the yang. You can get out of the city, and you can come here to a timeless destination.”

Aside from the panoramic beauty that surrounds visitors, Monterey also gives off a certain charisma, still present from its days as a bustling fishing town. “Unlike a lot of California where the growth has been so strong, [Monterey] still keeps its charm,” Skidmore says.

For meetings, the Monterey Conference Center is a major group venue, complete with a 19,600-square-foot exhibit hall and a 490-seat theater. In historic downtown Monterey, the center is also very eco-friendly and offers recycling options, sustainable catering and biodegradable utensils and plates. As a part of the Monterey Meeting Connection, the center is joined by the Monterey Marriott, the Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay and the Hotel Pacific, for a combined total of 61,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space and 800-plus guest rooms.

The Monterey Marriott is connected to the conference center via footbridge and provides 319 guest rooms and more than 50,000 sq. ft. of combined meeting space. Nearby is the 369-room Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay. The property offers 25 separate function rooms including the 19,600-square-foot Serra Ballroom, the 11,000-square-foot De Anza Ballroom and the 500-seat amphitheater.

Another option is the boutique Hotel Pacific with 105 suites and meeting space for up to 40 attendees. The Spanish adobe-style property keeps guests refreshed and relaxed with in-room fireplaces, complimentary continental breakfast and afternoon refreshments.

With many guest rooms that feature fireplaces and balconies, the new InterContinental The Clement Monterey also showcases more than 15,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor meeting space. For those who really want to take advantage of the location, the property’s Ocean Terrace Ballroom is ideal for up to 250 guests and shows off panoramic ocean views.  

Living up to its soothing-sounding name, The Sanctuary Beach Resort sits on the coast of the Pacific about 10 minutes north of Monterey, and is a wonderful option for retreats and smaller meetings. With meeting space for up to 80 attendees, the property also features the Serenity Spa, which offers everything from the traditional massage to one with hot foaming mud (used to stimulate circulation and promote detoxification).

Just around the bend from Monterey Bay, and most known for its out-of-this-world golf courses, Pebble Beach provides several top-tier meeting venues and scenic locales. Also famous in the area is the scenic 17-Mile Drive, where you will see landmarks such as the Lone Cypress, the Seal and Bird Rocks, Fanshell Beach, Point Joe and plenty of marine life—including those adorable California sea otters and harbor seals.

Just steps from the sand at the top of the Monterey Bay crescent, the Seascape Beach Resort is located approximately 10 miles from the popular beach town of Santa Cruz (and its famed boardwalk). For groups, the resort offers 285 guest rooms and 17,000 sq. ft. of indoor conference space. A plus for those looking to be inspired by the ebb and flow of the nearby tide, the property also has 13 ocean-view meeting rooms.

UNIQUE VENUES

For a taste of true Monterey, take your group to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which is home to such marine life as jellyfish, seahorses and otters. The aquarium can host meetings as small as 30 guests or as large as 3,000 in venues including the Ocean’s Edge Wing, which gives your attendees an up-close look at a kelp forest. Other options allow groups to explore the coastal wetlands, rocky shores or the kaleidoscope of creatures in the water.

Situated along the shoreline of the Monterey Peninsula, Asilomar Conference Grounds can accommodate groups of up to 1,000. With 38 private meeting rooms and the 850-seat Merrill Hall, the complex has plenty of venues to choose from, along with 312 guest rooms that are spread throughout the sprawling property. Great for smaller groups, many buildings also feature a common area or living room for impromptu planning or smaller meetings.

SAN LUIS OBISPO

As you wind down the coast along scenic Highway 1, you make your way to San Luis Obispo County—or SLO, as its called locally. Home to the famous Hearst Castle, San Luis Obispo is also known for wineries, rolling hills and miles of beaches. More importantly, the county is the halfway point between the larger cities of San Francisco and Los Angeles—making it the heart of Central California (not to mention its convenience for attendees from all over the state).

Approximately 250,000 people reside in San Luis Obispo County, which is made up of about a dozen towns, including the city of San Luis Obispo, plus Avila Beach, Morro Bay, Pismo Beach and San Miguel. A draw in the area is the beautiful and well-landscaped Cal Poly San Luis Obispo campus, which welcomes about 18,000 students. Also popular for visitors is the world-renowned wine country of Paso Robles, which is more inland and is a large agricultural area said to resemble the Tuscan wine country.

MEETING VENUES

A plus for San Luis Obispo County, and all of its small towns and cities, is that a large number of meeting venues are both unique and close to the ocean. Here, it is almost hard not to find a view of the sea, either from your guest room or conference room. In Pismo Beach, one oceanfront venue is the new Mission Inn of Pismo Beach. With 120 guest rooms and 1,660 sq. ft. of meeting space, the property also offers amenities that include an outdoor pool and spa, and a complimentary breakfast buffet.

With stunning views, The Cliffs Resort is located on the bluffs above the sands of Pismo Beach, and provides groups with 10,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor meeting space for up to 500 attendees. The resort  also recently completed a multimillion-dollar renovation to all 160 guest rooms and suites, which now feature private patios, Italian marble baths and incredible ocean, coastal or mountain views.

For a meeting in the midst of miles upon miles of vineyards, Paso Robles offers a stunning landscape a bit farther inland. The region has 26,000 vineyard acres and produces more than 40 wine grape varieties, which all make for stunning scenery both on the drive in (or just to and from the nearby SLO County Regional Airport), as well as out of the windows of your boardroom.

Although there are plenty of wineries to choose from, one option is Cass Winery, which has meeting venues for up to 75 attendees, including the private Wine Library room for up to 25. On sunny days (which are almost guaranteed) you can also take advantage of the outdoor picnic area that looks out over the sprawling grapevines. After a day in the vines, groups can stay at the Courtyard Paso Robles with 130 guest rooms and meeting space for up to 120 attendees.

Perched on a hillside, the opulent Hearst Castle, in the city of San Simeon, can also host private events for up to 250. Striking both indoors and out, with classic Mediterranean architecture, the castle features countless works of art and treasures, including rare oriental rugs, ancient Greek vases, paintings and sculptures.

SANTA BARBARA

Often described as calming (which may have something to do with the sound of waves crashing against nearby shores), the city of Santa Barbara is approximately 90 miles north of Los Angeles, and is ideal for small groups. “Santa Barbara can be seen as a boutique-style meetings destination,” says Catherine Puccino, director of sales for the Santa Barbara Conference and Visitors Bureau and Film Commission. “It’s a city of white-washed buildings with red-tile roofs tucked between the mountains and the sea.” But it’s not just the natural beauty of the landscape and architecture that make the area a perfect choice for meeting planners, she says.

“Planners enjoy the manageable size of our destination and the diversity of venues and activities that can be worked into programs.”

When your group isn’t enjoying the outdoor activities and artistic culture of Santa Barbara, they can enjoy the indoors at places such as the Bacara Resort & Spa. The Mission-style architecture is nicely paired here with the 360 guest rooms and suites, and 25,500 sq. ft. of meeting space. A plus for your group is that is spreads across 78 beachfront acres.

Another major venue in the area is the Five-Diamond Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara, which is located on Butterfly Beach in the upscale town of Montecito. The resort features 207 guest rooms and 10,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. 

Well-suited for smaller groups, the Canary Hotel, located just one block from downtown Santa Barbara’s State Street (which has numerous shopping and dining options) offers 97 guest rooms and 5,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. Another option is the 73-room Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort, which is situated in the Santa Ynez Valley and the renowned Santa Barbara County wine country. The resort features 6,800 sq. ft. of meeting and event space.

Also in the wine country, the new boutique Hotel Corque offers 128 guest rooms and meeting space for up to 400 attendees. Owned by the Santa Ynez band of Chumash Indians, who also run the nearby Chumash Casino Resort, the property is home to the restaurant’s Root 246 Patio and the Fountain Courtyard for outdoor group functions.

UNIQUE VENUES & ACTIVITIES

Although Santa Barbara’s major venues are unique in their own right, there are several other group options that don’t necessarily fit the “meeting mold,” which Puccino says is something you can count on in Santa Barbara. “You get superior quality and style without the sense of mass market, generic or cookie cutter,” she says.

Give your attendees an unparalleled experience at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, which, founded in 1916, is the oldest museum in the area.  Situated near the serene Mission Creek, the venue can accommodate groups of all sizes both indoors and out, and features 11 exhibit halls that educate groups on natural history, including bird species, mammals, marine life and paleontology.

For the self-proclaimed best views in the area, take your meeting to the Santa Barbara Zoo, which can accommodate groups up to 300. Meeting options include an up-close animal encounter, or a tour to see the more than 500 animals that call the zoo home.

For eco-friendly groups, Santa Barbara can also provide a day of sustainable wine touring with the help of the team at Sustainable Vine Wine Tours. This one-of-a-kind wine experience takes you from the Santa Ynez Valley to the Santa Rita Hills, showing off the beautiful countryside as well as wineries and winemakers that produce award-winning wines while also engaging in sustainable agriculture.

VENTURA COUNTY

The last stop along the Central California coastline is approximately 30 minutes from Santa Barbara and an hour’s drive from Los Angeles and Hollywood. Seemingly a world way, however, the County of Ventura is framed by abundant agriculture and is made up of a large, thriving cultural and arts community. As artists seem to be inspired here, you can walk around downtown Ventura and see everything from painters and sculptors, partake in numerous outdoor festivals, or simply be entertained by street performers.

Another defining aspect of Ventura is its beaches, which stretch from Surfer’s Point to Ventura Harbor. The area includes a historic pier and walkable promenade, San Buenaventura State Beach, the Seaward Avenue Beach District, numerous parks and bike paths and, of course, a booming marina.

Ventura plays host to numerous meetings properties. Overlooking the harbor, the recently renovated Four Points by Sheraton Ventura Harbor sits on 10 acres and  features 106 guest rooms as well as 12 meeting rooms, including the Grand Ballroom for as many as 350 attendees.

With a prime beachfront location, the Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach is walking distance to Ventura’s historic downtown and adjacent to the harbor. The 258-room property features 11 meeting rooms with a total of more than 19,000 sq. ft. of space. A specialty for groups is the Top of the Harbor Ballroom that showcases panoramic views of the ocean and the city, and the newly added Aqua Beachfront Bar.

Located just one block from the historic Ventura Pier, the Ventura Beach Marriott is a great option for larger groups as it offers 258 guest rooms and 19 meeting rooms for a total of 16,276 sq. ft. of meeting and conference space. Here, the largest space is the Costa De Oro room, which can accommodate  up to 1,000 guests.

And for something really different, the historic Pierpont Inn is a revamped Spanish Mission. Today, the property offers more than 10,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space and 77 guest rooms. Back to Top

Getting There

• Three major airports are within a few hours of California’s Central Coast: San Francisco International AirportMineta San Jose International Airport to the north and Los Angeles International Airport (lawa.org) to the south.
• Monterey Peninsula Airport, four miles from downtown Monterey, offers direct service on Allegiant, American Eagle, United Express and US Airways. Airports with direct flights include Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Phoenix, Denver and Las Vegas.
• San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport is located just two miles south of the city of San Luis Obispo and is served by both United and U.S. Airways with flights to Los Angeles, Phoenix and San Francisco.
• Santa Barbara Airport offers nonstop service to and from 12 major cities including Denver, Salt Lake City, Seattle, Las Vegas, San Jose, Calif. and Los Angeles.
• Ventura County’s Oxnard Airport has daily, direct flights to Los Angeles and connecting flights to all major cities worldwide. Both Los Angeles and Burbank airports are just an hour’s drive away, and shuttle service is available from Los Angeles, Burbank and Santa Barbara airports.

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Not To Be Missed

• Historic downtown Santa Barbara, which is also home to the beautiful Santa Barbara County Courthouse
• Wine tasting in or around San Luis Obispo
• Walking along the vibrant Ventura Harbor and its pier
• Getting up-close-and-personal with all the marine life at the Monterey Bay Aquarium
• Exploring the numerous treasures and works of art at Hearst Castle

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