Greater Ontario California (GOCAL) is the gateway to a region of Southern California known as the Inland Empire. Greater Ontario consists of two cities-Ontario and Rancho Cucamonga-and is about 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. Services abound here. Ontario International Airport, offer 31 direct domestic flights and 3 international daily. Over 11 major airlines, makes flying in from most American cities a cinch. Just 2 miles from the airport, the Ontario Convention Center offers 225,000 square feet of of meeting, and function space, including a 70 square foot column free exhibition hall. There are also over 6,200 hotel rooms in Greater Ontario, and 2,500 of them are within walking distance of the convention center.
The region boasts the rugged San Gabriel Mountains as a stunning backdrop and 300 days of sunshine a year. This area is a strong draw for middle-tier meetings, including training workshops, education leader sessions, and tech company gatherings. Greater Ontario is the place to go for meetings focused on accomplishing goals and achieving positive outcomes. The flexible convention center, in particular, handles meeting logistics deftly.
In addition to the convention center, there are many places to gather in the region. Hockey, soccer, football, and basketball are all played at the 225,000-square-foot Toyota Arena. With a capacity of 11,000 guests and home to 36 luxury guest suites, the arena can accommodate private events ranging from a corporate luncheon to a full-arena gathering. Meeting planners might also want to consider the Victoria Gardens Cultural Center. It’s home to the 560-seat Lewis Family Playhouse; the Celebration Hall, which has 4,500 square feet of meeting and banquet space; and a spacious outdoor courtyard.
The region is also a mecca for shopping. Greater Ontario is home to Ontario Mills, California’s largest outlet shopping mall, with more than 200 stores. If you work up an appetite flipping through the racks at Coach, Michael Kors, and Uniqlo, there are nearly three dozen spots to stop for a quick bite. For an outdoor shopping experience, visit Victoria Gardens which offers a cozy Main Street vibe. Visitors can dine alfresco at several eateries, explore the massive Bass Pro Shops, or find a new shop at one of the 200 retail spaces.
Greater Ontario sits in the heart of Southern California and is within a one-hour driving distance of well-known hotspots, including beaches, Palm Springs, downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, and Disneyland.
