One can argue that the best of California lies along its central coast. For anyone keen on endless beaches, wine regions that stretch on for miles, myriad hiking and biking trails and cute, historic towns, this section of the Golden State delivers.
Due to its wealth of attractive attributes, celebrities have long settled along the Central California Coast, from William Randolph Hearst to Oprah Winfrey. Thankfully, the region isn’t only for the rich. In fact, groups on a variety of budgets can find value everywhere—from quaint towns like Solvang to splashy destinations like Santa Barbara.
San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo County covers a wide stretch of land and several communities, including Pismo Beach, Morro Bay, Avila Beach, Cambria, Paso Robles, Atascadero and of course, the city of San Luis Obispo.
The county’s namesake community offers a laid-back atmosphere (locals call it SLO for short and for good reason), evident in a simple stroll down Higuera Street. Lining both sides of the main drag are attractive shops and restaurants, and attendees should be sure to pop into a wine bar or two for a tasting from a local vineyard.
Speaking of taste, SLO’s culinary scene is one of its hottest draws, says Molly Cano, director of sales and marketing for the San Luis Obispo Visitors and Conference Bureau.
"We have fantastic restaurants," she says, adding that Palazzo Guisepee, F.McLintocks and Big Sky are favorites with visiting groups. "We’ve learned that where wine goes, food goes as well."
Embassy Suites San Luis Obispo and the historic Madonna Inn are popular meetings properties, and the Holiday Inn Express recently finished an upgrade.
Just north of San Luis Obispo, Atascadero is home to a Holiday Inn & Suites and the picturesque Pavilion on the Lake event venue.
Nearby Paso Robles is best known for its wine, says Linda Hendy, vice president and director of operations for the Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce.
"We are a huge wine destination," she says. "We have more than 250 wineries, including Robert Hall Winery, Meridian and Pear Valley. Groups love to go out to wineries, and all three of these have space for groups to meet."
The 100-room La Quinta Inn & Suites recently completed an expansion and offers meeting space, while the historic Paso Robles Inn is another popular group option.
To the east, the towns of Cambria, Morro Bay and Pismo Beach offer a relaxed and beachy vibe.
Earlier this year, Cambria welcomed the El Colibri Boutique Hotel & Spa, with 34 deluxe guest rooms and meeting space for up to 50 delegates.
Morro Bay, featuring never-ending ocean views, offers excellent kayaking and riverboat excursions with Chablis Cruises.
For meetings on land, groups can head to properties such as the Inn at Morro Bay.
Just a few miles south is Avila Beach, "a little gem," according to Cano.
"It has a south-facing beach, so when everyone else gets fogged in, Avila Beach stays warm and sunny," she says.
Avila Lighthouse Suites is one of the town’s group options.
Pismo Beach is popular for its miles of sand dunes. SeaCrest Resort, which sits on five acres of beach, features a variety of meeting venues.
Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara has its branding down pat. The destination’s tag, "The American Riviera," couldn’t be more on target, as visitors will see by taking a walk down State Street toward the ocean. Along either side of the street are Spanish-style terracotta-roofed buildings, and as you turn onto Cabrillo Boulevard, which snakes along the water, palm trees sway in the breeze.
"Santa Barbara is an ideal West Coast destination," says Catherine Puccino, director of sales for the Santa Barbara Conference and Visitors Bureau and Film Commission. "We have a variety of water activities, a nearby wine country, excellent cuisine, a lot of open spaces and proximity to national parks. If you look at the visitor experience, it personifies the best of California."
One of the destination’s unique off-site venues is Lotusland, the 37-acre estate once owned by Madame Ganna Walsaka, a late Polish opera singer.
Fess Parker’s Doubletree Resort and Bacara Resort & Spa are the largest group-friendly properties, followed by the Four Seasons Resort and Hotel Mar Monte, which is slated to be branded as a Hyatt next year.
Also in Santa Barbara County are the communities of Santa Maria and Los Olivos.
The Historic Santa Maria Inn, built in 1917, and Fess Parker Wine Country Inn & Spa in Los Olivos cater to groups.
A few miles south is the town of Solvang, a largely Danish community complete with European-style windmills and charming shops, bakeries and wine-tasting rooms.
"Being in Solvang puts people in a different place and changes their perspective," says Tracy Farhad, executive director of the Solvang Conference and Visitors Bureau. "It throws you off a bit. You wonder: Are you in Europe? Are you in California? Are you in a little Scandavian town? The beauty of the location—in the middle of the Santa Ynez Valley—and the uniqueness of the architecture makes it perfect for a small meetings spot."
Solvang is celebrating its centennial next year with a lecture series, art gallery openings and biking events.
Beyond its Dutch heritage, Solvang also offers access to the world-famous Monty Roberts, aka the "Horse Whisperer."
"He and his wife live on a farm right outside Solvang," Farhad says. "They do great demonstrations for groups."
The city offers meeting space at venues such as The Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort, the recently renovated Hotel Corque and the Santa Ynez Valley Marriott in nearby Buellton.
Ventura
Drive just 30 miles south down Highway 1 and you will find yourself in Ventura, a beautiful, beachside destination with a hot food scene.
"Food is one of our most stellar subjects," says Jim Luttjohann, executive director of the Ventura Visitors and Convention Bureau. "Because of our weather being around 70 degrees year-round, our fields are always producing. We have a lot of food-related artisan products, including olive oil and wines. We have 15 wineries on the Ventura County Wine Trail."
Bennett’s Honey Farm in nearby Fillmore is an intriguing excursion option.
"They have a facility for groups and you have the option of tasting eight different honeys," Luttjohann says.
Ventura has numerous meeting facilities, including the Ventura County Fairgrounds, which sits along the bay, and several hotels located right on the beach. The Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach, the Pierpont Inn & Spa, the Ventura Beach Marriott and the newly renovated Four Points by Sheraton Ventura Harbor are popular group options.
About 20 minutes northeast of Ventura is Ojai, a laid-back wine town.
"Ojai is a great arts community; you can go gallery shopping and wine tasting there and it is a lot of fun," Luttjohann says.
Groups can gather at the historic Ojai Valley Inn & Spa.
Farther south, the picturesque town of Oxnard is the gateway to Channel Islands National Park, and the city’s charming Heritage Square features several historic homes with gardens. Heritage Square Hall is available for for small events.
Wine lovers in the group can head to Herzog Wine Cellars, which offers barrel rooms, wine tastings and Terra Sur, a high-end restaurant.
The Hilton Garden Inn and Homewood Suites (located next door to each other) recently opened a new banquet center and the Embassy Suites is planning to begin renovations soon. Also a favorite with groups is the Embassy Suites Mandalay Beach-Hotel & Resort.
Katie Morell is a Chicago-based freelance writer and former Meetings Media editor. She has long adored the Central California Coast and would love to move there someday.
