Groups seeking a side of relaxation along with their meeting entree needn’t look further than Monterey, Carmel and Santa Cruz, Calif., a trio of seaside destinations known for their sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, expansive blue skies, acres of sun-drenched wineries, and plethora of outdoor recreation—from hiking through mountainous terrain and kayaking alongside whales and friendly sea otters to golfing on renowned greens.
“It’s a destination that inspires people,” says John McMahon, president and CEO of the Monterey County CVB. “Groups have the highest turnout because of the desirability of the destination.”
Yet even with its much-loved reputation, the Monterey region has never been known as the most accessible destination on the West Coast, but that’s all changing thanks to improved airlift to Monterey Peninsula Airport.
“Our air accessibility has really picked up dramatically. We finally have better access to the East Coast, and we started service to Denver, Salt Lake City and Phoenix,” McMahon says, adding that nonstop flights to San Diego and Ontario, Calif., are scheduled to start May 14.
Along with increased airlift, the region is also in the midst of a development boom, with a record number of new hotels coming down the pipeline as well as a variety of renovation projects.
Monterey
On any given day, Monterey visitors are greeted with a welcoming assortment of gifts for the senses: the feeling of sunshine and soft breezes on their back, the scent of saltwater wafting through the air and the sight of world-class attractions situated next to impressive marine life sanctuaries.
“There is a mystique about Monterey that drives groups to want to be here,” says Dan Concepcion, general manager for the Monterey Conference Center (MCC) and the lead contact for the Monterey Meeting Connection, an association comprising the MCC, the Hotel Pacific, the recently renovated Portola Plaza Hotel at Monterey Bay, and the Monterey Marriott. “I just think there is a magic about Monterey. You’ve got the coastline and all of the amenities that go with the destination that really make it unique.”
Monterey’s inimitability has historically drawn corporate, association, SMERF, and incentive groups of 300 to 800 delegates primarily from Northern California communities, but according to McMahon, the tide is starting to turn.
“More and more people are starting to recognize Monterey as something truly unique in California,” McMahon says, adding that the locale has begun to attract industry heavyweights such as the SITE International Conference, scheduled for this winter. “We are staring to compete on a worldwide basis.”
Monterey’s meetings clientele isn’t the only thing changing. In a locale known for its small-town charm and historical attractions, Monterey has really begun to shake things up downtown with new hotel construction and large-scale facility makeovers.
“There is almost a renaissance going on in Monterey at this point. The most change in 20 years is happening right at this moment,” McMahon says, highlighting the construction of a new hotel on the famed Cannery Row, as well as the renovation of the Hyatt Regency Monterey and the expansion of The Monterey Hotel. “We anticipate that we will be increasing our room supply by 12 percent in the next three years. This is the time within the last 20 years to really talk about change.”
Although exciting, Monterey’s new developments in no way detract from its already impressive hotel offerings for groups, which include favorites such as the Monterey Plaza Hotel and Spa, Casa Munras Garden Hotel, Beach Resort Monterey, and the Monterey Meeting Connection’s member properties.
A delegate’s stay in Monterey is not complete without a visit to one of its many group-friendly attractions, such as the Monterey Bay Aquarium, welcoming 1.7 million visitors each year; the Culinary Center of Monterey, offering tasty team-building options; and the Monterey Museum of Art, showcasing the work of local artists.
Nearby Escapes
The city’s neighboring communities are also holding their own in the business and leisure market, with each locale featuring one-of-a-kind experiences.
In nearby Pebble Beach, there is a reason golf lovers nationwide fly in to pay upwards of $475 for a single round. For starters, Pebble Beach offers a laid-back atmosphere and priceless ocean views around every corner—from its fairways and its famed 17-mile drive to meetings-ready properties such as the Lodge at Pebble Beach, Casa Palmero and the Inn at Spanish Bay.
Boasting comparable views but with the quaint, charming feel of a small town is Pacific Grove, the “Last Hometown in America,” a community that provides ample shopping and dining along its main thoroughfare, Lighthouse Avenue.
Although petite in size, Pacific Grove offers planners impressive meeting space at the 107-acre Asilomar Conference Grounds, complete with 313 guest rooms and 30,000 square feet of meeting space, and the town also welcomes groups at local eateries such as Joe Rombi’s, Vito’s Ristorante and Robert’s White House on Lighthouse.
Located only eight miles north of Monterey, the city of Marina is known for its variety of outdoor activity options, including hiking along the Monterey Bay Recreation Trail and hang gliding over Marina State Beach. Groups are welcome to meet at the Marina Dunes Resort and the Holiday Inn Express Marina.
Situated only a few miles north of Monterey along Del Monte Boulevard lies the 10-square-mile town of Seaside, where a $100 million Fairmont hotel is scheduled to break ground later this year. The hotel will join existing meetings properties such as the Holiday Inn Express Monterey Bay and the Embassy Suites Monterey Bay–Seaside.
Nearby Salinas brings in an average of $4 billion per year in crop production, making agriculture Monterey County’s largest industry, but besides its rich harvest, the city offers plenty of enticing attractions, such as Mazda Raceway at Laguna Seca and the National Steinbeck Center.
Carmel
Ocean breezes and acres of vine-clad hills greet visitors entering Carmel, a destination separated into two locations: Carmel-by-the-Sea and Carmel Valley.
“It is very serene,” says Sue Dryer, director of sales and marketing for Carmel Valley’s Bernardus Lodge. “The wonderful thing about Carmel Valley is that we have the ocean just 12 minutes away and the wineries five minutes away. We are also 15 to 20 degrees warmer than the coastline.”
Dryer says Carmel Valley offers a range of activities—from visiting its nine tasting rooms to horseback riding and hiking through the Santa Lucia Mountain Range.
Aside from Bernardus Lodge, other inviting group options in Carmel Valley include Quail Lodge Resort and Golf Club and the soon-to-be-renovated Carmel Valley Ranch.
For attendees who like to be near the water, there are few places more appealing than quaint, one-square-mile Carmel-by-the-Sea, where Clint Eastwood was once the mayor. The artist community is also famous for its galleries and boutique shops, and group-friendly properties include The Pine Inn, the Best Western Carmel Mission Inn and the recently renovated La Playa Hotel.
Santa Cruz
Driving north of Carmel and Monterey along scenic Highway 1, delegates will land in the city of Santa Cruz, a college town known for its laid-back surfer attitude, historical seaside attractions and mixture of outdoor diversions.
“We have a diversity of settings,” says Christina Glynn, communications director for the Santa Cruz County Conference and Visitors Council. “We are able to offer groups the forest, wineries, excellent restaurants, and live entertainment—all next to the beach. In another destination, to go from the beach to the forest you would have to drive a considerable amount of time. But here, you can be from old-growth redwoods to the ocean in 10 to 15 minutes.”
Groups traveling to Santa Cruz have long enjoyed visiting its Beach Boardwalk, an amusement park and entertainment attraction celebrating its 100th birthday this year with concerts all summer long, but more recently, Glynn says delegates have been focusing their off-session attention on the local wine offerings.
“There has been a really big movement in Santa Cruz in terms of wine bars,” she says, highlighting a few group favorites such as Soif Wine Bar & Merchants, Vinocruz, Beauregard Vineyards, and Cava Wine Bar, located in nearby Capitola. “I think more people are starting to demand Santa Cruz Mountains wines, and businesses are listening.”
Planners can take advantage of several meetings-friendly properties in and around Santa Cruz, including Chaminade, which will begin a meeting space facelift this winter; Seascape Resort, featuring 17,000 square feet of function space; the University Inn and Conference Center; Coast Santa Cruz Hotel; the Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley; and the Best Western Seacliff Inn, which will finish a renovation this spring.
For More Info
Carmel Valley COC 831.659.4000
www.carmelvalleychamber.com
Monterey County CVB 831.657.6400
www.montereyinfo.org
Monterey Meeting Connection 831.646.3770
www.montereyconnection.com
Santa Cruz County Conference and Visitors Council 831.425.1234
www.santacruzca.org
