Imagine your attendees’ California dream: colorful beach sunsets, the ocean breeze in their hair, sand between their toes, and maybe even catching a wave. Meeting planners can bring this vision to life with a gathering in one of California’s picturesque beach cities.
There’s nothing like the magic of the Golden State’s coast to deliver renewed inspiration and energize guests—and there is no shortage of breathtaking places to host an event when it comes to hotels and venues near the water. For the ultimate California beach experience, these crowd-pleasing seaside destinations might just make for a spectacular meeting to remember.
A Southern Haven
San Diego County in Southern California is home to nearly 135 hotels with meeting and event space, which could make finding the right venue overwhelming. If your heart is set on the waterfront, San Diego Mission Bay Resort is a great option with 15 indoor meeting rooms, including its 9,600-square-foot ballroom and five outdoor venues. The property’s in-house team can arrange activities like beach volleyball tournaments and s’mores on the sand for attendees.
For a downtown location, the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina could be your one-stop-shop destination for groups of up to more than 3,000. The venue’s newly designed Coronado Terrace is a stunning open-air space with waterfront views, and its largest venue is the Marriott Grand Ballroom for up to 3,718 seated attendees. Nearby is the 2.6-million-square-foot San Diego Convention Center, located adjacent to the hip Gaslamp Quarter and within walking distance of the ocean.
San Diego’s culinary delights, inspired by cuisine from around the world, range from authentic Mexican cuisine in Old Town to delectable Italian food in Little Italy. El Sueño in Old Town offers Baja-style catering and a jungle-inspired indoor/outdoor venue for gatherings on-site. For Mediterranean cuisine, the Michelin Bib Gourmand-rated Callie’s has two gorgeous rooftop spaces available to host events of up to 75 people.
Across San Diego Bay, the iconic Hotel del Coronado has hosted esteemed guests from presidents to movie stars. Its recent $160 million renovation included historical restoration of The Coronet Room and The Crown Room. Get right up next to the water by gathering on its Windsor Lawn or on the sand itself with an event on the hotel’s north and main beaches.
Up the coast, La Jolla is known as the “Jewel of the Sea.” With its flower-painted landscape and picturesque beaches, it’s easy to see why this beautiful destination lives up to its nickname. After an expansive $26 million renovation, the hacienda-style Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa is a swoon-worthy setting with indoor and outdoor venue options. Estancia’s team can assist in curating group experiences like salsa-making competitions, beach cleanups, and sea cave kayaking.
Peachy in Orange County
Orange County is home to world-class surfing with mild and enjoyable weather year-round, ideal for the outdoor adventurers in your group. Over along the coast is Newport Beach, a charming locale ideal for gatherings of up to 500.
“Classic waterfront venues capitalize on expansive views with breezy indoor/outdoor options, and contemporary, Michelin-rated dining spots offer an inventive take on seafood,” says Michelle Donahue, senior vice president of sales at Visit Newport Beach. Hotels to note include VEA Newport Beach, A Marriott Resort & Spa, with its 70,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space; the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach, featuring more than 26,000 square feet of function space; and Balboa Bay Resort in Lower Newport Bay, which offers 30,000 square feet of space including an elegant Grand Ballroom and the stunning Bayfront Lawn.
Also in Newport Beach, the Balboa Yacht Club is a private club, but planners can work with Visit Newport Beach for exclusive access. Groups of up to 200 people can enjoy this hidden gem with striking harbor views. For a meal on the water, nearby harborside restaurants span fine-dining and casual options, including Malibu Farm and The Cannery Seafood of the Pacific.
For larger events in Orange County, consider Huntington Beach—also known as “Surf City USA”—a walkable city with more than 10 miles of sandy beaches. Visit Huntington Beach’s group sales team can assist with sourcing, site inspections, dining, and activity arrangements.
“Within about a 1-mile radius, you get the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa; The Waterfront Beach Resort, A Hilton Hotel; Paséa Hotel & Spa; and Kimpton Shorebreak Huntington Beach Resort,” says Kelly Miller, president and CEO of Visit Huntington Beach. “That is almost 1,500 rooms and 200,000 square feet of meeting space, with about half of that outside to set the tone.” While Huntington Beach doesn’t have its own convention center, these four hotels are right on the beach and seamlessly work together for multivenue functions.
The Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa boasts a sprawling, outdoor beachfront space perfect for live concerts, yoga, and food trucks. “Our large group has been coming to the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa every year since 2013 because it is a stunning resort with exceptional, autonomous meeting space perfectly placed on the other side of the hotel’s ‘town square,’ so there are no guests outside of our group passing through,” says Joe Mascari, senior director of global accounts at Arizona-based HelmsBriscoe. “Lovely rooms, incredible landscaping with numerous impressive fountains, excellent cuisine, and ideal meeting space make for an incomparable experience for our client.”
At Paséa Hotel & Spa, attendees can enjoy flexible oceanfront meeting space, including the Ocean Lawn & Terrace, which can accommodate up to 1,400. The newly renovated rooftop bar, dubbed Treehouse on PCH, and signature restaurant Lōrea are also available for event buyouts.
With 500 restaurants to explore, Huntington Beach has many outlets within walking distance of the resorts. Or, arrange dining at on-site restaurants like Water-table at the Hyatt Regency and Henry’s Coastal Cuisine at The Waterfront Beach Resort, A Hilton Hotel.
An Iconic LA Beach Locale
Los Angeles County is expansive and offers a plethora of waterfront host cities—one of which being beloved Santa Monica, home to the iconic Santa Monica Pier and a long list of venues and activities near the water.
Sister properties Hotel Casa del Mar and Shutters on the Beach sit across the street from each other on the boardwalk, convenient for hosting multidimensional events. Casa del Mar’s largest space is the Colonnade Ballroom at 4,207 square feet for up to 450 people reception-style. Shutters on the Beach’s Grand Salon can host up to 400 in its 3,807 square feet of space. New to the area is the Regent Santa Monica Beach, home to eight meeting spaces spanning two ballrooms, a terrace, and various boardrooms.
At the Santa Monica Pier, the Parking Deck is available for functions of up to 6,000. Smaller soirees can be curated at the historic Merry-Go-Round. “While the pier is most often visited as an escape from the mundane hustle and bustle of people’s everyday lives, it is also an incredible gathering and meeting space that provides unforgettable splendor alongside an unmatchable identity of place,” says Jim Harris, executive director of the pier. The venue’s Pacific Park can also be used for events, available to accommodate up to 1,500 people with a full buyout.
For a bite to eat, planners might either organize catering or gather on-site at 1212 Santa Monica, which serves up flavorful twists on classic Californian fare alongside a diverse menu of cocktails, wines, and beers. Fig restaurant dishes out American cuisine and provides The Potting Shed, a private dining room for groups and events decorated with lush plants.
The Serene Central Coast
Gorgeous Monterey County is a delightful destination full of rejuvenating opportunities to energize guests with a seaside experience on the north-central coast. And if your group has any golf enthusiasts, you have come to the right area.
Whether hosting a small function at Hyatt Carmel Highlands or a large event at Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa on Del Monte Golf Course, the brand offers two great options. Glow-in-the-dark evening golf at Del Monte Golf Course and scavenger hunts both make for memorable group fun.
The Monterey Conference Center’s 85,000 square feet of meeting space adjoins the Monterey Marriott and Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay for easy access to overnight accommodations. The Monterey Marriott also features its own 87,946 square feet of function space spanning 31 rooms; Portola Hotel & Spa has nearly 120,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event spaces on-site. The world-renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium is available for evening affairs, complete with educational programming and sustainable, locally sourced dining.
Enjoy charming accommodations, nature-inspired group activities, and 65,000 square feet of versatile space at Asilomar Conference Grounds in nearby Pacific Grove. On-site venue options include the Grace Dodge Chapel, the Surf & Sand Dining Room, and the Seascape Dining Room with ocean views, among others. Asilomar also offers a menu of team-building activities, from kayaking and biking to scenic scavenger hunts.
Over in Pebble Beach, The Inn at Spanish Bay, Casa Palmero at Pebble Beach, and The Lodge at Pebble Beach present three luxurious hosting options in the Pebble Beach Resorts portfolio; each has a slew of overnight accommodations and event space for groups. The nearby Beach & Tennis Club features dramatic views of Stillwater Cove and the 17th fairway of Pebble Beach Golf Links. Gather in its dining room, a glass-enclosed conservatory, available for up to 300 attendees.
lajollabythesea.com
sandiego.org
santamonica.com
seemonterey.com
surfcityusa.com
visitnewportbeach.com
