5 Reasons Meeting Profs Love SoCal

When in the celebrated San Diego climate, it’s always the right time to get out on the water. With the San Salvador Sailing Adventure, your attendees can do so on a replica of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo’s four-masted, 100-foot galleon for a four-hour adventure, and in tandem enjoy the included admission to the Maritime Museum of San Diego.

San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter is rich with history, from must-see iconic attractions to its role as the setting of many local legends. Many of the historic buildings are now museums, hotels, bars, restaurants, galleries and shops, making it an amazing place to work in a little San Diego adventure around meetings, or gather for a memorable dinner, a walking tour…whatever your attendees might wish!

Read More: San Diego: A Saint in SoCal

The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is an uber-cool historic site to visit, having hosted opening and closing ceremonies and the Track and Field Competition for two Summer Olympics, in 1932 and 1984—and it will soon add a third Olympic Games to the list in 2028. It can even double as an event space, and, if there isn’t any other Olympic Event taking place somewhere around the world, your attendees can witness them light the torch.

Downtown Anaheim is home to the acclaimed Packing District, where your attendees can explore and network among delicious bites and artisan shops. From its crown jewel, two-story foodie destination Packing House to the newly renovated MAKE building across the street and nearby historic Center Street Promenade for more artisan goods and spectacular dining, there’s no shortage of fun moments.

If you are looking to escape the day-to-day, your group can reset at stately venues such as the completely renovated Rancho Bernardo Inn in the rolling hills of San Diego’s North County or 100-acre Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort in nearby Solvang.

 

5 Places to Meet and Stay

San Diego Convention Center is known as an architectural icon, and stands in the center of the action, moments from the sun and fun of the Gaslamp District and in the perfect place for outstanding views of the downtown waterfront.

204,114 sq. ft. meeting & ballroom space; 615,701 sq. ft. exhibition space; 184,514 sq. ft. outdoor & terrace space.

Los Angeles Convention Center is a LEED Gold Certified facility in the heart of downtown LA, providing the perfect basecamp for an immersive LA meeting. It’s in the midst of an expansion and modernization project, tremendously expanding its contiguous space.

Over one million sq. ft. meeting space, with 64 column-free meeting rooms, three exhibit halls and two special event halls.

Read More: Los Angeles: A Planner’s Paradise

JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. L.I.V.E. offers a luxury experience in a grand skyscraper. Its location offers easy access to the outstanding sports and entertainment scene, as well as the convention center; it’s direct connection to the Ritz-Carlton Los Angeles and ample, elegant meeting space of its own is a major plus.

878 guest rooms; 134,143 sq. ft. meeting and event space.

Anaheim Convention Center, the largest exhibit facility on the West Coast, recently underwent a $190 million renovation. The expansive space is surrounded by four world-class hotels, together offering over 3,700 guest rooms.

Over one million sq. ft. exhibit space, 352,000 sq. ft. meeting space with 99 meeting rooms and 200,000 sq. ft. outdoor event space.

Palm Springs Convention Center brings sleek Palm Springs style to life with a versatile venue, equipped for any type of meeting, from trade shows to small business conferences. It is directly connected to Renaissance Palm Springs, with 410 guest rooms, plus close by Hilton Hotel Palm Springs and Courtyard by Marriott Palm Springs.

261,000 sq. ft.; 92,545-square-foot Oasis Exhibit Hall; 20,016-square-foot Primrose Ballroom; up to 17 breakout spaces of varying sizes.