When selecting a venue for a meeting or conference, scenic spaces offer a colorful and inspiring experience. Whether you’re on a rooftop in the heart of the city, a lush garden surrounded by mountains, or on the waterfront, hosting an event in a space with amazing views will enhance the overall ambience for attendees and make them feel more connected to their surroundings.
Good views help reduce the sense of confinement that one feels when indoors, and they also might decrease mental fatigue while improving alertness. Views that offer some element of nature have been shown to have positive effects on mental well-being and provide an opportunity for networking in a more relaxed setting.
From towering skyscrapers to the majestic ocean and mountains, these venues across California feature incredible views that are guaranteed to impress attendees at your next event.
Urban Wonders in SoCal
Home of MLB’s San Diego Padres, Petco Park offers areas throughout the ballpark for events of up to 600 people. Some of the more scenic spaces include the 280-square-foot Premier Club, which offers views of the playing field; the 135-square-foot Alpine Rooftop with views of the Coronado Bridge; and the 275-square-foot Mercado offering views of the San Diego Bay and convention center.
“Petco Park is unique because it is a ballpark located in the heart of downtown San Diego with stunning views of the city skyline and the San Diego Bay,” says Jaclyn Lash, San Diego Padres senior vice president of special events. “We have venue spaces of all sizes available throughout the ballpark and an array of offerings for clients that enables them to curate a world-class event experience for their guests.”
Located across from Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, stunning park views can be enjoyed from the 5,000-square-foot, open-air rooftop space at The Fifth Rooftop Restaurant & Bar. The entire rooftop, or a dedicated area on the rooftop, can be reserved for events ranging from 250 to 300 people with amenities including a full-service bar, portable bar and heaters, and audiovisual capabilities.
In the heart of downtown Los Angeles, Hotel Indigo Los Angeles Downtown, An IHG Hotel, has 21,000 square feet of event space and nine meeting rooms that can accommodate between 12 and 350 guests. For premium city views, 18 Social on the hotel’s 18th floor can be reserved for events for up to 200 people with 3,610 square feet of space.
“Named after the 18th amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which prohibited the sale of alcohol, our speakeasy-inspired haven exudes an irresistible charm,” says Morgan Mardesich, director of sales and marketing for Hotel Indigo. “With floor-to-ceiling windows offering stunning views of downtown and a gorgeous central fireplace, 18 Social is the perfect venue for private parties, corporate receptions, and an intimate cocktail after work.”
One of the city’s most recognizable landmarks, the L.A. Memorial Coliseum is an iconic venue with multiple spaces for hosting events—including the rooftop 1923 Club, which features 11,714 square feet of space, has a capacity of 350 people, and offers views of the downtown LA skyline and Hollywood sign. Another option at the coliseum is the Olympic Plaza, an open-air space with stadium views that can accommodate up to 10,000 people.
“Hosting your next event at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum’s Olympic Plaza or the 1923 Club will guarantee to make memorable impressions on all your guests, whether you’re hosting an intimate gathering or a reception for 4,000 of your attendees,” says Sacha Tani, director of sales and marketing at the coliseum. “The 360-degree skyline views that the L.A. Memorial Coliseum offer will leave everyone in awe and provide a breathtaking experience, showcasing the beauty of LA and the historical architecture of the 100-year-old stadium.”
Inspired by the city’s Golden Age, The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles, offers nearly 100,000 square feet of indoor meeting and event space with three ballrooms, nine meeting rooms, two boardrooms, and a Club Lounge. The hotel’s restaurants on the 24th floor—Corteza At Sendero, Leña At Sendero, and The Agave Library—offer sweeping views of LA, and a full buyout of all the restaurants can accommodate groups of up to 400 people.
Downtown Views
Next to the iconic Tower Bridge and overlooking the Sacramento River, Embassy Suites by Hilton Sacramento Riverfront Promenade offers 10,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space and has 11 meeting rooms including two ballrooms, boardrooms, and private dining rooms.
“As the only full-service, all-suites hotel on the Sacramento River, our guests and clients enjoy our distinct location, taking in the beautiful views of the river and surrounding areas,” says Barbara Stannius, director of sales and marketing at the hotel. “Our groups and events meeting space can cater up to 300 attendees, offering a variety of options that make the most of our stunning setting.”
To the west and aross the street from Plaza de César Chávez Park, Signia by Hilton San Jose features 55,000 square feet of event space with panoramic views of the Santa Cruz Mountains and downtown San Jose scenery. The hotel is home to the Imperial Ballroom & Foyer, Silicon Valley’s largest ballroom at 13,464 square feet in size with a capacity of 400 to 1,000 people for events. Groups can take in city and mountain views from the hotel’s rooftop pool deck, which can accommodate between 100 and 150 meeting-goers for receptions and cocktail hours.
All-Natural Outlooks
In Marin County, Cavallo Point, The Lodge at the Golden Gate, is in Sausalito and offers 14,000 square feet of meeting space for groups of 10 to 300 people. The venue features 11 function rooms in four primary venues. Each indoor space has windows that open to views of the San Francisco Bay, Golden Gate Bridge, or hill landscape. Its outdoor spaces consist of 12,500 square feet of spectacular grounds accompanied by views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco Bay.
Speaking of the iconic red bridge, The Presidio is a National Historic Landmark in San Francisco and one of the most visited national park sites in the country. It has five outdoor lawn spaces that can host events between 50 and 6,000 people. These include the Main Parade Lawn, Civil War Parade Lawn, Presidio Tunnel Tops East Meadow, Graham Street Lawn, and Presidio Tunnel Tops Western Lawn.
A striking destination away from the city and surrounded by pine-covered mountains, The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, offers 15,000 square feet of outdoor event space, including a 1,733-square-foot Fireside Terrace that can fit groups of up to 180 people with views of the Highlands Gondola and Martis Valley.
Down in the desert with majestic views of the mountains and lush gardens, Colony Palms Hotel in Palm Springs is an enchanting spot for hosting various events with fire pits and intimate alcoves across the grounds. Host events for up to 170 people on the 160-square-foot Pool Deck by the palm tree-lined pool or the 1,690-square-foot garden with a manicured lawn, both set against the San Jacinto Mountains.
The hotel’s sister property, L’Horizon Resort & Spa, is a 3-acre desert oasis that allows for complete property buyouts. Host an intimate group event for 60 people at the resort’s Hermann Bungalows, a collection of 24 modern bungalows set around an infinity splash pool with a private outdoor bar and unobstructed views of mountain vistas.
Coastal Paradise
At VEA Newport Beach, A Marriott Resort & Spa, host groups of up to 1,000 people with almost 70,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space. Receptions on the 8,000-square-foot Sunset Lawn accommodate between 500 to 800 people and highlight views of the golf course and coastline, while the 9,000-square-foot Marea Canvas and Terrace can host groups up to 688 people and are the ideal setting for sunset drinks with the Pacific Ocean in the background.
On the Palos Verdes Peninsula overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island, Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes offers an inspiring coastal setting for all types of events with 135,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space including two main ballrooms, 33 meeting rooms, executive boardrooms, and hospitality suites—all framed by the ocean. Highlights include the 16,000-square-foot Palos Verdes Meadows with a gently rolling lawn and ocean backdrop, as well as the 13,000-square-foot Palos Verdes Terrace that flows seamlessly from the adjacent 18,000-square-foot Palos Verdes Grand Ballroom, which can seat groups
of up to 1,000 guests.
With more than 70,000 square feet of meeting and event space, The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara, offers indoor and outdoor venues such as the Bacara Ballroom with six balconies that can accommodate up to 1,050 attendees; The Rotunda Room, which can host up to 200 people and is set atop the resort lobby overlooking the ocean and gardens; and The Bluff, an outdoor venue with dramatic ocean views that can host up to 300 people.
“From the moment you set foot onto our beautiful property, your guests will be captivated by the serene ambience and impeccable service that The Ritz-Carlton is renowned for,” says Angela Miranda, director of meetings and events at the hotel. “What truly sets us apart are our ladies and gentlemen who are committed to creating an unforgettable experience
for every attendee. Our meetings and events team works closely with planners and clients to ensure that your event is unique and that your expectations are exceeded at every turn. We look forward to welcoming you soon!”
cavallopoint.com
colonypalmshotel.com
thefifthoc.com
hilton.com
ihg.com
lacoliseum.com
lhorizonpalmsprings.com
marriott.com
petcoparkevents.com
presidio.gov
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