With a climate that is practically guaranteed to be sunny and temperate at any time of year, Los Angeles is the ideal destination for taking at least some of the meeting outside. Not surprisingly, venues with wonderful outdoor space abound throughout Greater Los Angeles, many offering panoramic views of city lights, coastal mountains and the sparkling Pacific. The variety of settings is practically unlimited, whether it’s a botanical garden, legendary sports stadium, chic Beverly Hills shopping street or a hotel rooftop infused with Hollywood glamour.
“Most groups expect to have an outdoor event when they come to L.A.,” says Melissa Frownfelter, national sales manager for Allied PRA Los Angeles. “Many are escaping winter climates and it’s a treat to find balmy weather in February. On the flip side, if they’re coming during the summer, there’s no need to worry about the excessive heat you find in other destinations.”
That being said, choosing an outdoor venue in a destination as sprawling as Los Angeles County, which is spread over 4,700 square miles and encompasses dozens of diverse communities linked by a network of heavily trafficked freeways, is not without its pitfalls. The proximity of the venue to where attendees are staying is an essential consideration, according to Dabney Bixel, president of Bixel & Co., a Los-Angeles-based DMC.
“We’re very sensitive to distance because there are situations where you can spend hours traveling from the hotel to the venue,” she says. “You certainly don’t want to travel more than 20 or 30 miles.”
Fortunately, there are plentiful outdoor venue choices throughout Greater Los Angeles. Here are a few to consider.
Good Sports
While best known for hosting a famous college football game on the first day of the year, Pasadena’s Rose Bowl Stadium is also a National Historic Landmark and an extremely versatile event venue. Along with a variety of luxury boxes and club lounges, the Rose Bowl has outdoor spaces for groups of varying sizes. Accommodating up to 7,500, the grass-covered playing field is a spectacular setting for dinners, receptions and teambuilding events that can include the organization’s name lit up on the scoreboard. The Rose Gardens, hedged areas to the west and east of the field, are more intimate settings for dinners or cocktail receptions.
“The Rose Bowl has just undergone a renovation and really upped the ante on technology, making it better than ever for events,” Frownfelter says. “You can do football-themed game nights right on the field, which are especially great for corporate groups and sales meetings. Another option is to rent out private boxes during the concert series that take place there.”
Frownfelter also likes holding events at another iconic sports venue, Dodger Stadium, which can host gatherings for 10 to 56,000 people, including receptions, dinners, festivals, softball tournaments and teambuilding. Its newest outdoor space is Retired Numbers Plaza, which accommodates up to 600 people and is located on the highest level of the ballpark, featuring panoramic views of downtown L.A. and the Hollywood Sign. The On-Deck Circle lets smaller groups dine or have a reception right next to the field on the warning track, spanning two dugouts. The baseball field itself accommodates up to 2,000 for a reception or 1,000 for a seated dinner.
“It’s expensive to do a dinner on the field and availability is limited, but it’s a fabulous experience for groups who have the budget,” Frownfelter says.
Going Glam
For many visitors, experiencing L.A. has everything to do with the glamour and exclusivity associated with Hollywood and Beverly Hills. Hotel rooftop venues are a good way to mix a touch of glamour with the excitement of mingling under the stars with the lights of L.A. spread out below.
Among hotels known for their rooftop event space is the Montage Beverly Hills, which offers a pool deck with city views, and the Montage Terrace, a 5,000-square-foot space with Mediterranean architectural details that overlooks Beverly Canon Gardens. Another is the Loews Hollywood Hotel where the 10,000-square-foot Pool Terrace overlooks city lights and the Hollywood Sign.
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“Right on the same level as the Pool Terrace is the Dolby Ballroom, where the Governors Ball is held on Oscar night,” Frownfelter says. “You can do a welcome reception on the pool terrace and then proceed into the ballroom for a gala event with a Hollywood history theme.”
Another outdoor venue with plenty of luxe glamour is Two Rodeo, where a cobblestoned shopping lane lined with designer shops and restaurants just off Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills can be reserved for private events for up to 350 people.
“This is a beautiful little street reminiscent of Europe that you can take over for events such as a dine-around or casino party with food stations, an espresso bar and live music,” Bixel says. “It’s wonderful for an opening night reception.”
Museums and Mansions
Located in Simi Valley, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum is spread over a hilltop site with impressive mountain views from its outdoor areas, two of them patterned after the White House grounds. The West Lawn, which offers views stretching down to the Pacific and is a replica of the White House South Lawn, accommodates up to 1,500 for a reception, while the White House Rose Garden, a three-quarters replica of the original, is available for smaller events. The Courtyard at the front entrance to the museum accommodates up to 1,200 people beneath twinkling lights in large oak trees surrounding a grand central fountain.
“The Reagan Library feels like a complete getaway from the city, but it’s not a good choice if you’re based in downtown L.A. because it’s over 30 miles away,” Frownfelter says. “However, it’s great for groups staying at the Four Seasons Westlake [Village].”
Some of the most stunning grounds to be found anywhere are at the Huntington Library in San Marino. Set on 206 acres, the library features an acclaimed art collection as well as specialty gardens that include a Chinese Garden and a Japanese Garden. The Shakespeare Garden, patterned after an English garden, is a popular spot for spring cocktail receptions, while the Rose Garden, at its peak from April through June, is well suited for seated dinners. The Dorothy Collins Brown Garden Lawn is available for events for up to 500.
“The Huntington Library is really nice for daytime events, especially if you combine it with a tour,” Bixel says.
A popular film location as well as a palatial example of a 1920s Beverly Hills estate, Greystone Mansion & Gardens is a versatile venue for both indoor and outdoor events. The mansion’s several outdoor spaces offer water features and views stretching from downtown Los Angeles to the Pacific Ocean.
Pacific Pleasures
One of the few resort hotels to open in the Los Angeles area in recent years, Terranea Resort, A Destination Hotel in Rancho Palos Verdes is prized among event planners for its stunning views from cliffs above the Pacific. The resort offers nine event lawns, including The Meadows, a 16,000-square-foot gently sloping lawn suitable for concerts, outdoor presentations and teambuilding.
“Terranea has unbelievable outdoor space,” Frownfelter says. “You can look out at the ocean and see dolphins swimming and views stretching all the way to Catalina Island.”
Pacific Park, located on the historic Santa Monica Pier, combines an old-fashioned amusement park experience with salt air, ocean breezes and coastal views. The park’s new Event Pavilion can host groups from 75 to 400, while the entire park can be bought out for gatherings of up to 2,000 people. Custom packages and catering are available, including specialty menus and theme park fare.
“The pier is really fabulous—we do great events there,” Bixel says. “People become childlike again, enjoying the rides and the midway games.”
