From the lush fields of the Central Valley to the towering sequoias of the High Sierra, the echoes of John Muir’s footsteps and the clamor of the Gold Rush era can still be heard in many regions of California—the finish line of the continent’s westward expansion.
Just as the roots of those sequoias create a strong but unseen network that delivers water and nutrients so the trees can grow, the historic legacies of these Central California communities keep them firmly planted and allow them to thrive, making the region an enthralling choice for groups.
Sacramento
A field trip to Sacramento is a rite of passage for elementary school kids that grow up near the state capital, and attendees can relive the same youthful joy and exuberance by meeting in town and arranging excursions to various historic off-sites.
Students spend weeks learning about California government, finding out who their legislative representatives are and studying how bills become laws, before coming to town to tour the Capitol building and pick brightly colored taffy from candy store barrels in Old Town.
Lying along the Sacramento River, Old Town’s charms are not limited to the young. The neighborhood, with its wooden sidewalks and antiquated facades, captures the city’s history and offers unique event venues, including the Delta King Hotel, the Firehouse Restaurant and the California State Railroad Museum, which offers buyouts, according to Lucy Steffens, director of travel media with Visit Sacramento.
Beyond Old Town, other recommended venues include the Crocker Art Museum, the California Auto Museum and Sutter’s Fort State Park, where groups can hold barbecues and tour the historic grounds, which still look as they did in 1846.
The expanding Sacramento wine region is also fun for grown-ups.
“Everyone likes to eat and drink,” Steffens says. “So we’re also putting our local wine regions at the forefront.”
Besides Napa and Somona, which are about 90 minutes away, Sacramento counts Lodi, the Sierra Foothills and the neighboring counties of El Dorado and Calaveras as local wine producers. Family-owned Bogle Vineyards in Clarksburg, which has grown into one of the largest wineries in the country, is also nearby, offering shaded patio spaces for large groups and a barrel room that can seat 60.
In recent hotel news, the former Le Rivage property underwent a flag change to become the 101-room Westin Sacramento, which is in the process of renovating. Across from the California State Capitol, the 503-room Hyatt Regency Sacramento, another major convention property, renovated its ballroom over the summer.PageBreak
Mountains and
National Parks
Michael Vanderhurst, director of sales and international marketing for Visit Mammoth, reports that the popular ski destination and former gold mining town of Mammoth has seen an uptick in business over the last few years, especially with enhanced airlift to the convenient Mammoth Yosemite Airport. There are year-round flights from Los Angeles and winter service from San Francisco, San Diego and Orange County.
The mountain has a famously long ski season, typically lasting from November through June, and according to Vanderhurst, Mammoth is the third-largest ski destination in the country, but is thrilling during warm weather as well.
“In the summer, Mammoth becomes even more adrenaline-fueled,” Vanderhurst says, pointing to mountain biking, hiking, ziplining, rock climbing and an annual bluegrass festival.
Mammoth’s main meetings properties are the 230-room Westin Mammoth and the ski resort itself, which offers a lodge, conference center and mid-mountain venue that can all be rented out.
“Mammoth mostly offers boutique-size venues that top out at a few hundred people,” Vanderhurst says. “We see a lot of midsize groups that are looking for somewhere new and want to incorporate outdoor activities into their program.”
Just as prospectors sought gold in these mountains in the 1860s, groups can find the mother lode at the new Lucky Strike bowling center and event venue, scheduled to open this winter.
While Mammoth is a fully modern destination, some regions have preserved their rough-and-tumble Gold Country roots, which are now reflected in charming venues and experiences. Located 100 miles south of Sacramento, Tuolumne County was settled by miners in 1849 following the discovery of gold in California and today is a step back in time.
The town of Columbia is the only remaining mining town that became a state park and is thus the best preserved in the county, comfortably accommodating groups of around 150 people.PageBreak
Bruce Tepper, a marketing consultant with the Tuolumne County Visitors Bureau, says the region is frequented by an eclectic assortment of groups; tour buses travelling to and from Yosemite, motorcycle riders that like the windy mountain roads, and corporate retreats that have been to Napa and Carmel and are looking for a new adventure.
Attendees can play golf, ride in a stagecoach along the quaint main street or visit Ironstone Vineyards, complete with event spaces and a culinary center.
The area is also a Hollywood darling. Movies such as Back to the Future Part III were filmed here, and the streets have hosted many a shootout scene.
Meanwhile, Yosemite National Park is bouncing back after suffering a substantial loss of tourism dollars due to the devastating Rim Fire in August and the following government shutdown, which forced national parks across the nation to close for weeks during the peak summer season. Parks have reopened, and Yosemite is back in business, welcoming visitors from around the world to its towering granite cliffs and year-round venues, such as the luxurious Ahwahnee, cabins in Curry Village, Yosemite Lodge at the Falls and the Wawona Hotel, in addition to Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite, situated just outside the park.
Nowhere is the passage of time more visually evident than the Yosemite Valley, where the Merced River has worn away at the valley walls for centuries, creating the natural haven that visitors flock to today. The Yosemite Conservancy offers historical tours that visit lesser-known sites, offering insight into glacial dams, geologic history, mountain road construction and former Presidential campsites.
Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks are also top draws for groups. Wuksachi Lodge in Sequoia is a favorite retreat option.
Valley Cities & Foothills
Stretching south from Sacramento and running parallel along the backbone of the Sierras is a string of inland cities that offer great deals for groups. Modesto, Fresno, Visalia and Bakersfield boast affordable prices and a selection of great venues, from the Fresno Convention Center, which is connected to a theater, arena and 32,000-square-foot event hall, to Bakersfield’s historic Fox theater.
Day trips can include hiking in Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks, antiquing in old Clovis or learning the history of local agriculture at the History of Tulare County Farm Labor & Agriculture Museum.
In Visalia, the 130-year-old Victorian McHenry Mansion and McClatchy Square gardens can accommodate up to 150 and 250 people, respectively. The McHenry Museum is home to the area’s historic artifacts and hosts events of up to 200.
Wes Rhea, CEO of Visit Stockton, reports that the city has seen growth in occupancy and is excited about the launch of its Stockton Tourism Ambassador Program, encouraging local workers to be helpful and welcoming to conference attendees and visitors.
