The Long Beach area of Southern California is home to many fabulous off-site venues. In addition to the expected bells and whistles necessary in an unforgettable off-site gathering spot, many also boast wonderful views.
Following are a few great vantage points for planners to consider.
The Queen Mary, Long Beach
www.queenmary.com
With views of the Pacific Ocean and the downtown Long Beach skyline and waterfront, the historic Queen Mary is a setting for a memorable banquet or reception, according to Quentin Roberts, the Queen Mary’s director of sales.
“I have been to hundreds of meetings at all the major brands and can never remember them or even the city I was in at the time,” he says. “You will always remember your meeting or event on the Queen Mary.”
The ship, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was once a grand ocean liner that sailed primarily in the North Atlantic Ocean from 1936 to 1967. It is now a full-service Long Beach hotel, historical landmark and entertainment venue.
The Queen Mary can accommodate up to 6,000 people for special events. Aside from 314 state rooms and 80,000 square feet of function space, it has outdoor deck spaces and a large grass-covered event park near the bow of the ship.
While convening here, attendees can also check out on-site attractions, including the recently unveiled Princess Diana exhibit, featuring evening gowns, photos and heirlooms from the Royal Family.
California Yacht Club, Marina del Rey
www.calyachtclub.com
The California Yacht Club boasts the Platinum Yacht Club designation, given to only a handful of yacht clubs in the U.S. in recognition of their member and customer service.
Among its meeting spaces is a waterfront banquet room with access to a patio and lawn area with sweeping 180-degree views of the marina and water. The banquet space also has wall-to-ceiling windows that are fitted with special shades that block light for presentations, while still allowing attendees to enjoy their surroundings.
The club is available to groups for retreats, conferences and corporate celebrations, and buyouts are available on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Montage Beverly Hills, Beverly Hills
www.montagebeverlyhills.com
The Montage Beverly Hills is located in the heart of the city, the Golden Triangle, a location that places attendees near world-class shopping and dining.
The hotel’s 20,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space includes the Marquesa Ballroom, with 22-foot-high, hand-painted ceilings, the Montage Terrace, with views of the Beverly Canon Gardens, and the glass-enclosed rooftop Conservatory Dining Room, which features panoramic views of the cityscape and Hollywood Hills, including the Hollywood sign and the Griffith Observatory.
“The open indoor-outdoor space is also adjacent to the mosaic-tiled pool and the Conservatory Grill, serving fresh California cuisine,” says George Nickels, the Montage’s director of catering and conference services. “This provides a convenient flexibility in catering options and a breathtaking backdrop in scenery, no matter what the occasion.”
Annenberg Community Beach House, Santa Monica
www.beachhouse.smgov.net
The LEED-certified Annenberg Community Beach House is located on the beach in Santa Monica, with open views of the Pacific Ocean.
“There is no better way to set the tone for an inspirational meeting, private dinner or celebration than to be on the beach,” says Elizabeth Dugan, the venue’s event services sales and marketing manager.
The Beach House, built in 1927 by William Randolph Hearst and Marion Davies, has three distinct areas on-site for private events: the historic Marion Davies Guest House, the modern Event House and the Sand & Sea Room.
“Hearst and Davies entertained everyone from Charlie Chaplin and Marlene Dietrich to Winston Churchill and George Bernard Shaw,” Dugan says, adding that the Marion Davies Guest House and the historic pool are all that remain of the original site.