From Orange Groves to Timeless Elegance
By Sara Robertson
Orange County, or known fondly as “The O.C.,” is a world unto its own. Small coastal cities boast some of California’s most celebrated waves; Disneyland attracts millions of visitors per year, and the SoCal sun provides the perfect setting to relax and indulge, to celebrate and play, to get business done—whatever it is, you choose!
The land of superstardom and movie magic has endless opportunities to take in some of the best of art and culture. From stylish Newport Beach to the laid-back, good vibes of Huntington Beach, there’s something for everyone.
Fun Fact
Orange County is perhaps most well known as the home of Disneyland and Universal Studios. But did you know it’s actually the home of the theme park as we know it? Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, originally opening as a roadside stand serving up chicken dinners, expanded into an amusement park themed around the Old West and Ghost Towns, and eventually became California’s first official theme park.
5 Places to Meet & Stay
VEA Newport Beach, A Marriott Resort & Spa, is a sleek, stylish SoCal getaway, where the philosophy of approachable luxury means sun-soaked fun with dynamic F&B, an indulgent spa and light-filled meeting spaces that open up to the serene outdoors via banana doors.
70,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor meeting space; 400 guest rooms.
Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club is an indulgent yet relaxed retreat, standing atop a 150-foot seaside bluff. In addition to a private beach club, it offers unique group experiences, from ocean art workshops to adventures with marine life experts to a wine cave experience.
110,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor meeting space; 400 guest rooms.
Anaheim Marriott is a dreamy California escape in the middle of the action. At the convenient location, only a mile from Disneyland and steps from Anaheim Convention Center, guests will find leading California cuisine made from locally sourced ingredients, an extensive bourbon collection and more.
169,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space; 1,030 guest rooms.
Embassy Suites by Hilton Santa Ana Orange County Airport offers decadent two-room suites in a towering building; which, with its gentle, elegant architectural style and palm tree surroundings, transports guests to what feels like an Italian villa, only four minutes from John Wayne Airport (SNA).
7,707 sq. ft. meeting and event space; 301 two-room suites.
Hyatt Regency Irvine invites guests to unwind and enjoy the O.C. sunshine with an expansive swimming pool, pool deck and waterslides, a poolside bar and a newly debuted cultural landmark of a restaurant, Warehouse 72. Its central location is ideal for exploring Irvine and Greater O.C. beyond.
56,000 sq. ft. meeting and event space; 516 guest rooms.
5 Reasons Meetings Profs Love It
Shutterstock.com is known as the heart of Anaheim’s art world, where visitors enjoy rotating exhibits across mediums and subjects from a range of artists. The only constant is that all displays are among the most innovative and thought-provoking to be found. It offers group tours for 15 or more, and even 14,380 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor space for private events.
Get inspired at O.C.’s year-round film festival at The Frida Cinema. Named after Frida Kahlo, the venue shows everything from cult classics to modern independent films, shorts, student films and more, as well as community engagements and live concerts. What better way to ignite group bonding than with a trip to a classic theater to view a well-loved movie?
Duffy Boat, an easy-to-operate, electric-powered, canopied boat, was invented in Newport Beach, so, of course, it’s one of the best ways to experience the area. Enjoy cruising around the bright blue waters in luxury, or even take part in the dock-and-dine tradition—which is exactly what it sounds like: Simply pull up to public docks at harborside restaurants and dine on the water.
Irvine’s Great Park is an over 500-acre hub for public recreation, sports and art. The Great Park Balloon was the first attraction to open at the public park. Standing at 118-feet, it is one of the largest tethered helium balloons and the first of its kind in the United States. Rides are free, first-come, first-serve and offer guests about 10 minutes of 360 degree views while soaring 400 feet in the air.
What’s a visit to the surfing capital of the U.S. without catching some waves? Visit Huntington Beach’s website offers a long list of options for surfing lessons, and many offer private group and corporate event lessons led by certified instructors. If your group prefers to stay on land, pay a visit to International Surfing Museum.
This article appears in the July/August 2024 issue. You can subscribe to the magazine here.
