Northern California

Northern California has a legacy of growth and success. Most recently, it includes triumphs such as San Francisco's World Series win and the innumerable game-changing innovations of Silicon Valley's technology brain trust. It stretches back to the days when silver and gold miners struck it rich and flooded the region with prosperity, decadence and glamour.

The area is also rich in natural resources that reward visitors with spectacular coastal scenery and delectable wine and food that make California's Wine Country and "California cuisine" bywords for gastronomical delight. Its majestic redwoods and bays teeming with protected wildlife entice millions every year to make a pilgrimage to experience these wonders of nature.

The region offers such a bounty of extraordinary off-site venues that it's almost a shame to hold every event in a standard conference space. Following is a sampling of truly special venues that invite groups to partake of Northern California's history, beauty and flavor.

1. Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey
831.648.4928

Regularly named one of the nation's top aquariums, Monterey Bay Aquarium is home to more than 35,000 plants and animals in 200 different exhibits. The aquarium is located on the bay along Monterey's historic Cannery Row, which was immortalized by John Steinbeck in his eponymous novel. Among its most jaw-dropping exhibits are a 28-foot-tall kelp forest habitat viewable at various levels, and the stunning Drifters Gallery, where jellyfish are displayed like fine art within ornate frames.

Events at the aquarium not only wow groups with spectacular, one-of-a-kind exhibits, they support an institution devoted to oceanic conservation, research and education.

"The best thing about Evening Events at Monterey Bay Aquarium is the opportunity to see the amazing exhibits without the crowds," says Blair Robinson, director of sales and events at the aquarium. "In addition, 'great event, great cause' holds true, and the revenue generated from evening events supports our mission and makes it possible to bring 80,000 school children to visit the aquarium each year, free of charge."

For large-scale events, planners can choose either the Ocean's Edge or Outer Bay wings or rent the entire facility and host as many as 3,000 for a strolling reception. For smaller groups, the aquarium's cafe and restaurant seats 80 and provides ocean views that might include dolphins or sea lions.

2. The Tech Museum, San Jose
408.795.6221

The fertile minds of Silicon Valley gave rise to silicon-related inventions such as the microprocessor and a multitude of Internet developments that have made nearly everything in our lives smaller, faster and smarter. The southern end of the San Francisco Peninsula is headquarters for Apple, Google and Hewlett-Packard, just to name a few of the technology giants who make Silicon Valley their home.

Located in downtown San Jose, the Tech Museum seeks to inspire visitors with the wonder of science and technology and the energy to create tomorrow's life-changing inventions. It has 132,000 square feet of interactive exhibits relating to genetics, sustainable energy, microchips and more, as well as a 295-seat IMAX Dome theater. The museum can host groups as large as 2,500.

"The Tech Museum captures the spirit of Silicon Valley—its innovation, its know-how, its risk-taking culture—like no other institution in the valley," says Maureen Langan, director of special events for the museum. "Compelling interactive experiences literally put our visitors in touch with the cutting-edge technologies that have changed how the world creates, communicates, lives, works and plays."

New this year, the Silicon Valley Innovation Gallery was introduced to showcase cutting-edge exhibits designed by the world's foremost technology experts.

3. Filoli Center, Woodside, San Mateo County
650.364.8300

San Mateo County was favored by tycoons in the early part of the 20th century as a pleasant location for country retreats from busy San Francisco life. Gold mine owner and utilities magnate William Bowers Bourn built Filoli House in 1915. He named the elegant 36,000-square-fooot estate for the first syllables of the three tenets of his credo: "Fight for a just cause; love your fellow man; live a good life." Its eclectic style incorporates architectural elements from Stuart and Georgian-era English country houses as well as Spanish and Italian touches. The exquisite gardens, developed by the home's second owners, are a delight in any season thanks to California's mild climate.

Although the estate house itself is not available for rental, the Visitor and Education Center can accommodate as many as 200 for events from January through October.

"Filoli Center, an historic site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, provides a unique setting for small group rental activities," says Jane Risser, executive director of Filoli Center. "Unlike any other site in the area, the property's internationally recognized, English-inspired, 16-acre formal garden offers a serene refuge for breaks during a business meeting."

Activities available for groups at Filoli include docent-led house and garden tours, guided hikes in the 528-acre nature preserve, classes in art, photography and horticulture, and presentations by authors, historians and artists.

4. Fox Theater, Oakland
510.548.3010

The Fox Theater was built as a sumptuous temple to the moving picture in 1928, when Oakland's bustling downtown was the center of city life. The cinema's intricate paintings, ornate gold leaf and exotic statuary evoked the decadence of India and the Middle East, and its Mighty Wurlitzer organ drew crowds every night.

Shopping malls siphoned off theater-goers in later decades, and downtown lost its shine. The Fox was closed in 1966, and the theater suffered major damage from arson, vandalism and deterioration during years of abandonment.

Restored to its full grandeur at a cost of $75 million, the Fox reopened in 2009 as a live music venue and centerpiece for the revitalization of the Uptown neighborhood. It is also the home of charter school Oakland School for the Arts. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the theater offers flexible seating arrangements with a maximum capacity of 2,800.

"The Fox Theater is a perfect venue that bridges historical beauty and modern-day functionality," says Danielle Madeira, special events director at the Fox. "The theater's unique decor is unmatched and its flexible seating makes it an ideal space for any event."

Nearby Telegraph Avenue sports a lively nightlife scene, with several new restaurants and bars opened in recent years.

5. AT&T Park, San Francisco
415.972.1800

Home of 2010 World Series champs the San Francisco Giants, AT&T Park is one of the most beloved baseball stadiums in the country. Popularly referred to as "baseball's perfect address," its stands furnish panoramic views of San Francisco Bay, the Bay Bridge and the city. The park is built so close to the water that homeruns—dubbed "splash hits"—are occasionally hit into the section of China Basin just beyond right field.

The park makes a remarkably flexible event venue capable of welcoming groups as large as 10,000. The field itself has hosted trade shows, graduations and film screenings. A speaker can stand on the dugout and address the crowd while a presentation is played on the scoreboards.

"We are able to transform spaces normally used for baseball, like the clubhouses, dugouts, Club Level and field, into one-of-a-kind event settings," says Jens Weiden, marketing manager at AT&T Park. "From intimate sit-down dinners in the dugouts to receptions on the field for thousands, AT&T Park truly is open for anything."

A winning attitude is catching, and team building is a specialty at the park. Fantasy batting practices get groups into the game spirit, and scavenger hunts send participants into the stands to find clues hidden under seats. Groups can also get competitive with a grilled cheese cook-off on the warning track. Visits from Giants alumni can also be arranged to inspire attendees to always swing for the fences.

6. Culinary Institute of America at Greystone, St. Helena, Napa County
707.967.2307

At the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) at Greystone, groups do not merely taste the wines that make Napa Valley famous all over the world. By engaging in interactive cooking demonstrations and hands-on classes, they explore and even help create wonderful flavors that pair perfectly with every glass.

The CIA is a not-for-profit college with four campuses dedicated to fostering excellence in cuisine and beverages. CIA Greystone also represents a piece of Napa's wine producing heritage.

"The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone is a historical and elegant venue that sets the stage for a memorable event," says Eileen Wagstaffe, special events sales and marketing manager at CIA Greystone. "The tufa stone castle was built over 100 years ago as a winery and still emulates the grandeur of old Napa Valley, but also offers today's contemporary conveniences in the quest for excellence in the ever-expanding culture of food and wine."

As many as 125 guests can view a private cooking demonstration in the Ecolab Theatre, which features state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment. Interactive cooking demonstrations allow groups to learn to prepare a dish such as caramelized onion focaccia or garden-to-table pesto. For those who truly want an immersive culinary experience, the participation program guides guests through the preparation of a customized menu and provides a flight of three wines to enjoy with their creations.

Event spaces include a 28-seat boardroom, the 48-seat De Baun Theatre and the 40-person Williams Center for Flavor Discovery.

7. Chalk Hill Estate Vineyards & Winery, Healdsburg, Sonoma County
707.933.3314

The microclimates of Sonoma County help produce complex flavors that regularly win awards for the county's 250 wineries. Chalk Hill Estate grows a wide variety of grapes on 350 acres that meander through a number of distinctive terroirs between the Russian River and Alexander Valley.

The estate practices sustainable farming and water conservation. It also boasts an extensive garden with organic fruits, vegetables and herbs that the executive chef incorporates into catering menus.

"Our award-winning wines, world-class cuisine, breathtaking views and warm hospitality are sure to make your next event memorable at Chalk Hill Estate," says Matt Wood, vice president of direct to consumer marketing at Foley Family Wines, which acquired Chalk Hill in August 2010. "We can also incorporate private tours and tastings into the day's event, completing your wine country experience."

The 2,480-square-foot Estate Pavilion is situated on a hillside among groves of oak trees overlooking vineyards. It features glass-paneled walls, a 21-foot-tall limestone fireplace, a 2,184-square-foot terrace and a separate boardroom. The Great Room at the winery seats 20 at an antique walnut table beneath a large skylight. The elevated Chalk Hill Ridge Park can welcome as many as 400 for outdoor events with panoramic views of the vineyards, ranchland and the Russian River Valley.

8. Skunk Train, Fort Bragg, Mendocino County
707.964.6371

When groups board the Skunk Train at the foot of Laurel Street in Fort Bragg, they embark upon a journey back to the 1880s. From the restored rail cars to the redwood forests along Pudding Creek and the Noyo River, little has changed since the line was built as a logging railroad to harvest the rich lumber of Mendocino County.

"There are but few places left where you can step aboard a historic train and feel as though you're being transported back in time," says Robert Jason Pinoli, whose official title is Chief Skunk. "A trip on the famed Skunk Train is more than just a ride—it's an experience. The Skunk makes its way along the forest floor each day, year round."

The train can accommodate groups as large as 300. Apart from the train itself, the railroad can make stops at locations along its route for all types of events. These include outdoor facility Northspur Station and Camp Mendocino, which offers a ropes course and zip line, amphitheater, baseball field and overnight accommodations.

Mendocino Railway owns the Skunk Train as well as Sierra Dinner Train and Sacramento River Train. Options on these lines include murder mysteries, staged train robberies, stops for river rafting and live music.

9. Valhalla, Lake Tahoe
530.541.4975

Lake Tahoe caught the public's imagination during the heyday of silver mining in the region; the Comstock Lode was discovered just 15 miles away in 1858. The pristine mountain lake became a popular resort destination for the well-heeled in the late 1800s, and lodges and mansions sprang up along its shore.

The rustic but grand Valhalla was built on the south shore in 1924 for real estate investor Walter Heller. Today, the lodge is part of Tallac Historic Site, a 74-acre preserve of three historic estates and many other structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places. For nearly 30 years, Tallac has hosted the Valhalla Summer Arts & Music Festival, which presents a wide variety of concerts and galleries to the public.

From mid-April to mid-December, the stately wood-and-stone hall, 20-foot-tall fireplace and magnificent scenery of Valhalla create an inspiring backdrop for meetings.

"The setting at Valhalla is unique in that it sits among some of Lake Tahoe's oldest trees, and the lake view from the building looks much like it did in 1924," says Lori Cramer, executive director of Tahoe Tallac Association. "Groups love coming here and hosting meetings in the building because it takes them back to a time when Lake Tahoe represented the elegance of the wealthy. It's a great way to step away from day-to-day business operations and allow the group to be creative, to think differently or to simply relax."

Valhalla Grand Hall can welcome groups as large as 140 for classroom-style meetings. The Boathouse Theatre can accommodate 160. The pole pine porch, sweeping lawn and second-floor balcony are perfect for outdoor cocktails within view of the sparkling blue lake.

10. Delta King, Sacramento
916.444.5464

Christened in 1927, the 285-foot Delta King plied the Sacramento River between the state capital and San Francisco until 1940. During this time its provided a quiet spot to wet one's whistle during Prohibition. It was briefly requisitioned by the U.S. Navy during World War II, and sank under mysterious circumstances in 1981. It was raised, and in 1984 began a five-year historic renovation process that transformed it into an exciting attraction with a colorful past.

Permanently moored in the Sacramento River just off the boardwalks of Old Sacramento, the Delta King offers 44 guest rooms, a 115-seat theater featuring live productions Wednesday through Sunday, and an award-winning restaurant. In total, the boat's 9,000 square feet of indoor space can welcome groups as large as 180. The boat is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

"The historic Delta King is the anchor tenant of Old Sacramento and the icon of the city of Sacramento," says Charlie Coyne, general manager of the Delta King. "In addition to being a beautifully restored boutique hotel, we are the perfect small meeting venue because of our emphasis on personalized attention, the acclaimed Pilothouse Restaurant and our great team-building activities."

Group activities range from murder mystery dinners to an onboard wine school offering customizable tasting as well as food-pairing classes and competitions to identify different wines.

Kelly Crumrin is a freelance writer based in San Francisco. She would happily live in the Drifters Gallery at Monterey Bay Aquarium if that were allowed.