Destination: Central Valley (Fresno/Bakersfield/Stockton) Meeting & Event Planning City Guide

  • Central Valley (Fresno/Bakersfield/Stockton)

Destination Articles

  • The United Nations of California

    By Sandi Cain

    December 28, 2011

    California is well known for its Spanish and Mexican heritage, but it also boasts roughly 70 other ethnicities, reflected in delightful museums, restaurants and cultural centers throughout the state.

Learn about Central Valley (Fresno/Bakersfield/Stockton) for Event Venues, Services & Meeting Destinations

Destination Description

Smart Stats:

Number of Meetings Hotels: 49
Total Hotel Rooms: 5,086
Number of Special Events Venues: 10
Local Convention Centers: Fresno Convention Center
Local Airports: Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT)
Local CVB: Play Fresno

Smart Snapshot:

California’s Central Valley, known for its warm desert weather, has some pretty impressive neighbors.  Located a mere stone’s throw from the Sierra Nevada mountain range, and a short drive to Yosemite, the Central Valley offers all of the activities of these great nature-centric destinations with the amenities and conveniences of a larger city. 

Made up of the proximate cities of Fresno, Merced, Bakersfield and Stockton, all boasting sunny summer weather and mild winters, the Central Valley is the home of a strong agricultural industry.  This is a topic of study that many of the universities that populate the region have been recognized for. The Central Valley is home to University of California in Davis and the newest installation of the University of California system, University of California in Merced.

The scholastic community in the area has helped to develop the Central Valley, giving it the warmth and character of a classic college town.