Stuffier locales on the map might learn a thing or two from the Golden State, which from top to bottom knows how to let its hair down.
“California offers a dizzying array of attractions and activities to fit every traveler’s idea of fun,” says Caroline Beteta, president and CEO of Visit California.
From theme parks like SeaWorld San Diego and Universal Studios Hollywood, to casino action at the likes of Thunder Valley Casino Resort, located east of Sacramento, and Pala Casino, Spa & Resort near San Diego, to ranch outings at Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort near Santa Barbara and Greenhorn Creek Guest Ranch in Quincy, California’s group-friendly options for enjoyable diversions are seemingly endless.
“Whether your idea of a fun trip involves outdoor recreation, shopping, cultural pursuits or following the stars in Hollywood, California has something for everyone,” Beteta says.
Following are six particularly fun destinations that represent the best of the state’s good times.
San Francisco
People travel from around the globe for a fun time in iconic San Francisco, where internationally recognized sights include the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, cable cars and Haight Street.
“More than 16 million visitors can’t be wrong,” says Kathryn Horton, vice president, convention services and events for the San Francisco Travel Association. “The classics still deliver good times and there are always new things to discover and enjoy, like the new SFJAZZ concert hall opening in January.”
The House of Air (www.houseofair.com) indoor trampoline park in the Presidio is another new attraction, where groups will find 8,000 square feet of trampolines for energized team-building outings.
“Meetings become unforgettable when they include bicycling across the Golden Gate Bridge, having lunch in Sausalito and returning to San Francisco by ferry,” Horton says, adding that planners may also inquire about walking tours like the one that goes behind the scenes at AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants.
Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is top among California’s natural fun zones, where groups pair business with exhilarating outdoor pursuits.
“Groups meeting here take advantage of what’s scenic and pristine as opposed to manmade,” says Jason Neary, director of conference sales at the North Lake Tahoe CVB.
With 300-plus days of sunshine each year, conditions are ideal for guided kayak adventures and zip lining during the spring and summer. PageBreak
In Tahoe City, Neary adds, Granlibakken Conference Center and Lodge’s new Treetop Adventure Park and Ropes Course (www.granlibakken.com/adventure_center.php) brings out the kid in everyone.
“In winter, many groups find their best ideas come on the slopes,” Neary says, explaining that Lake Tahoe boasts the highest number of resorts in the country, so groups have more runs and lifts to choose from than anywhere else.
Popular group-friendly properties include the Resort at Squaw Creek, The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe and Embassy Suites Lake Tahoe Hotel.
“A favorite way to wrap up the day is by visiting a historic casino, such as the Cal Neva, which was owned by Frank Sinatra and frequented by the Rat Pack back in Tahoe’s heyday,” Neary says.
Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz County offers a unique combination of team-building activities in a variety of settings, according to Christina Glynn, spokeswoman for the Santa Cruz County Conference & Visitors Council.
Among them are drumming on the beach with Jim Greiner’s Hands-On Drumming (www.handsondrum.com); the ropes course and zip lining at Mt. Hermon Conference Center (www.mounthermon.org), set in a coastal redwood forest; and, of course, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
“This legendary gem is set up for conferences and groups and can do corporate picnics and rides,” Glynn says of the seaside amusement park. “An activity like visiting the boardwalk offers a fun, relaxing way to spend time with colleagues and see them in a different environment.”
Popular group-friendly properties in the Santa Cruz area include Seascape Beach Resort and Chaminade Resort and Spa, and down the road a stretch in nearby Monterey, the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa and Portola Hotel & Spa.
San Luis Obispo County
San Luis Obispo County, according to Molly Cano, director of sales and marketing at the San Luis Obispo County Visitors and Conference Bureau, is the “ideal destination for pure play” on California’s Central Coast.
She says a variety of experiences are available, from soft adventure activities such as group kayaking tours in Morro Bay via Central Coast Outdoors (www.centralcoastoutdoors.com) and Hummer tours on the dunes in Pismo Beach via Pacific Adventure Tours (www.pacificadventuretours.com), to extreme adventures like zip lining.
Nearby, the meetings-friendly Santa Margarita Ranch is Margarita Adventures (www.margarita-adventures.com), which offers group team-building experiences, including zip lining tours and kayaking outings.
Among the group-friendly properties in the area are Madonna Inn and Embassy Suites San Luis Obispo.
Santa Monica
Recognized by National Geographic as one of the top 10 beach cities in the world, Santa Monica is home to the Santa Monica Pier, which makes for another postcard-perfect scene where groups can have a ball.
Kelly Nagle, spokeswoman for the Santa Monica CVB, says Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier is one of the most picturesque locations along California’s coastline for corporate events and sales incentives. Pacific Park buyouts accommodate up to 2,000 people and its Seaside Pavilion can host groups from 25 to 350 guests.
Fun team-builders include trapeze workshops overlooking the ocean on the Santa Monica Pier via Trapeze School New York (www.losangeles.trapezeschool.com); beach volleyball games at The Fairmont Miramar (www.fairmont.com/santa-monica); and group surf lessons with either Aqua Surf School (www.aquasurfschool.com) or Go Surf LA (www.gosurfla.com). PageBreak
Anaheim/Orange County
The child in us all will forever adore Mickey Mouse and be drawn to fun outings in the Anaheim area.
“We have some of the best places to have fun all centered in Orange County, from famous theme parks to beach cookouts or shopping treasure hunts,” says Elaine Cali, spokeswoman for the Anaheim/Orange County Visitor and Convention Bureau. “It’s all here!”
Cali says the Discovery Science Center (www.discoverycube.org), with all of its hands-on exhibits; Flight Deck (www.flightdeck1.com), which has nine fighter jet simulators; and SkyThrills (www.skythrills.com), which offers thrill rides in stunt planes, are popular group outings that raise the fun meter.
Arranging a buyout of Disneyland, Disney California Adventure (www.disneyland.disney.go.com) or Buena Park-based Knott’s Berry Farm (www.knotts.com), Cali adds, is a fantastic option for large groups.
In nearby Buena Park, a finalist in the “Most Fun Small Town in America” contest sponsored by Rand McNally and USA Today, there are more attractions, including Soak City USA Water Park (www.soakcityoc.com) and Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament (www.medievaltimes.com).
Orange County’s beach communities, where groups will find surf lessons and boardwalks to explore, include Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach and Newport Beach.
“A successful meeting must include three things: learning, networking and fun,” says Erin Ramsauer, project coordinator at Visit Newport Beach.
The fun component in Newport Beach can be achieved by arranging Duffy boat rides or water-propelled jetpack experiences via Jetlev Southwest (www.jetlevsouthwest.com), which allow participants to skim across the water and fly 30 feet into the air.
From Anaheim to Orange County’s beach communities are numerous group-ready properties, including Anaheim’s Disneyland Hotel and Newport Beach’s Balboa Bay Club & Resort.
san diego
In San Diego, beach volleyball, surfing , sailing and heading to popular attractions like SeaWorld San Diego and the San Diego Zoo are automatic choices for fun in the sun.
One unique and exhilarating way for groups to experience the destination is via Torrey Pines Gliderport (www.torreyflight.com), offering hang gliding and instructional tandem flights for groups. Participants take off from the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The company’s Cliff Hanger Cafe is available for group lunches.
