Destination: San Francisco Meeting & Event Planning City Guide

  • San Francisco

Destination Articles

  • Take Me Out to the Ball Game

    By Holly Woolard

    March 26, 2013

    San Francisco's got game. So do Oakland and San Jose, and Santa Clara will be added to the list of Bay Area cities with professional sports franchises in August 2014 when the San Francisco 49ers begin playing at Santa Clara Stadium. Heck, even the San Francisco Bay has game and will be showcased this summer during the 34th America’s Cup racing July through September.

  • The Northern California Must List

    By Nikki Gloudeman

    December 31, 2012

    Northern Californians are quick to share an audacious opinion: Their region is the best in the world.

    A lofty claim, sure, but there are ample facts to back it up: Where else can you find scenic coastal towns, a world-class metropolis, a political hub, the epicenter of technology and a renowned ski resort? Where else can you explore one of the world’s most heavily visited wine regions and national parks? And where else can you do all this in a famously sunny and temperate climate? The reality is, few other places boast the diverse appeal of Northern California, and few serve as such an enticing, well-rounded meetings locale. Making the decision to book in this stellar region should be easy; a better question is what to do while here.

  • Outdoor Adventures by the Bay

    By Maxine Cass

    March 29, 2012

    “Strip down the business hierarchy. Get groups and corporate executives learning new skills together, having a blast exercising outside with blood pumping and endorphins flowing,” suggests Cliff Hodges, Adventure Out owner and CEO. “Think surfing, rock climbing, backpacking, mountain biking and wilderness survival training as icebreakers.”

  • 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.

  • The San Francisco Bay Area Made Easy

    By Nikki Gloudeman

    March 28, 2011

    The San Francisco Bay Area has a problem: It is so packed with amazing options, from world-class hotels and meeting facilities to eclectic off-site activities and gourmet dining, that it can be hard to know where to begin when planning a meeting.

  • PSST...Have You Heard About Northern California?

    By Nikki Gloudeman

    August 02, 2010

    When a destination strikes a nerve, the first thing people want to do is talk about it. So it’s a good sign that, over the years, a whole lot of people have quipped about Northern California.

Learn about San Francisco for Event Venues, Services & Meeting Destinations

Destination Description

Smart Stats:

Number of Meetings Hotels: 215
Total Hotel Rooms: 35,000
Number of Special Events Venues: 580
Local Convention Centers: Moscone Center
Local Airports: San Francisco International, Oakland International, Mineta San Jose International
Local CVB: San Francisco Travel, Oakland CVB San Francisco CVB

Smart Snapshot:

San Francisco: What Makes San Francisco the Ideal Conference, Convention, and Meeting Destination

Internationally known for its culinary fetes, iconic fog laced landscape, and daunting city hills, San Francisco draws vacationers and is also a sought-after business meeting destination. Between meetings, sip a cappuccino with Ferlinghetti at City Lights Bookstore in North Beach, cruise the Castro with the ghost of Harvey Milk, hit the trails in the Marin Headlands or tune in at Golden Gate Park—be it history, art or culture, San Francisco has what you’re looking for to mix business with pleasure for your next destination meeting.

When taking advantage of San Francisco’s public transportation system, it’s easy to access the area’s many meeting venues, including the Moscone Center, which is sure to provide all of the meeting spaces and meeting room options a company could ever need. Whether riding on an iconic San Francisco Cable Car, or using the local train system Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) and Muni, you’re sure to arrive at your business meeting destination with ease.

Stepping outside the boardroom, attendees will love both the cultural and natural draws of the City by the Bay. The Embarcadero, San Francisco’s waterfront walkway, stretches all the way from the Giants’ AT&T Park through the Financial District to Fisherman’s Wharf and is a perfect example of integrating this stunning natural landscape into an urban setting.  Grab a bike or some walking shoes and walk or jog along the water. Watch for sea lions at Pier 39, try some cracked crab fresh from the bay, or even hop on a sightseeing boat to Alcatraz, San Francisco’s famed island jail.

With so much to explore, San Francisco is a great option for planning a meeting or corporate event.  But bring a sweater; although the fog is beautiful to look at, it packs a chilly punch.

Plan Your San Francisco Meeting Today!

If you’re thinking of planning a meeting or corporate event in San Francisco and need help finding the ideal meeting venue, conference room or convention center, explore our meeting planning properties in San Francisco.

Smart Meetings – Your Guide to Meeting Planning in San Francisco

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