There’s no way to neatly define Southern California. A country unto itself, it’s an astonishingly diverse region where the terrain encompasses desert washes, alpine forests, tidal inlets, surfing beaches, rolling vineyards, oak-studded hills and more. Its human heritage, shaped by Spanish explorers, Hollywood hopefuls, Midwestern migrants and countless other seekers of the Promised Land, is no less complex.
Meeting in the region brings opportunities to experience the unique physical and cultural environment of Southern California in myriad ways. Here are a few ways to capture the essence of what sets the continent’s southwestern edge apart from everywhere else.
Original Farmers Market, Los Angeles
While Los Angeles continually reinvents itself as the quintessential modern city, its classic, iconic locations still retain their relevancy and appeal. Among these is the Original Farmers Market, a downtown landmark at the corner of Third and Fairfax avenues where farmers started selling produce out of the back of trucks in the 1930s. Marked by its signature clock tower, it’s now a complex of over 100 food purveyors, including produce stalls, gourmet grocers and restaurants.
A great way for groups to experience the market is on a private excursion with Melting Pot Food Tours, typically an epicurean two-and-a-half-hour stroll providing a chance to learn its unique history and taste signature items from market stalls that may include ethnic eateries, handmade candies, L.A.’s first pizzeria, artisanal cheeses and more.
The Gamble House, Pasadena
The ultimate example of American Arts and Crafts architecture that flourished in Southern California during the turn of the 20th century is The Gamble House. Owned by the City of Pasadena and operated by the University of Southern California School of Architecture, the house was designed in 1908 by Charles and Henry Greene for David and Mary Gamble of the Proctor and Gamble Company.
The landmark house, with its exquisite stained glass and woodwork, is available for specialty tours and a variety of events. The Third Floor Attic, a dramatic space with a truss-and-beam ceiling and natural light on all sides, is available for meetings and seminars for up to 25 people. Meal functions and lectures for up to 60 people can be held in the Gallery on the basement level.
Santa Anita Park, San Gabriel Mountains
Another landmark from the 1930s is Santa Anita Park, an Art Deco horseracing track at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains just outside Pasadena that recently emerged from a $40 million restoration. The 300-acre park offers more than 100,000 square feet of diverse indoor and outdoor event spaces, including a monumental grandstand, hidden speakeasy, luxury suites and glittering Chandelier Room.
“We started during Hollywood’s Golden Age and all of the greatest stars in Los Angeles came here—in fact, they still do,” said Alison Wright, director of sales. “We’re a California institution.”
Among Santa Anita’s offerings for groups are theme parties, scavenger hunts, carnivals with games and recreation in the outfield, and private receptions with a jockey or trainer. Seabiscuit tours allowing groups to walk in the footsteps of the famous racehorse are its newest option.
“On the Seabiscuit tour, people make a stop at the receiving barn where the horses are checked out before each race,” Wright said. “The horse that starred in the movie Seabiscuit is there. Groups can also go into the Jockey Room and the Silks Room to see the colorful silks they wear. People can even dress up like jockeys and take pictures.”
Petersen Automotive Museum, Los Angeles
Recently reopened after an extensive redesign and renovation, the Petersen Automotive Museum celebrates Southern California car culture with themed floors devoted to the history and artistry of the automobile.
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Groups can hold receptions among the exhibits and enjoy such features as the Motorsports Gallery, an experience that submerses participants into a day at the races through a 180-degree projection view. The Rooftop Penthouse & Terrace, a glass-enclosed space surrounded by a slate patio, offers panoramic views of the Hollywood Hills and the twinkling lights of L.A. for up to 300 guests.
The Ranch at Laguna Beach
Nestled on the site of an 1871 homestead in Laguna Beach’s Aliso and Woods canyons, the recently opened Ranch at Laguna Beach is a 97-room luxury property converted from the former Aliso Creek Inn. Along with a golf course, spa, beach activities, historic ranch house and 8,000 square feet of indoor meeting space, the property offers unique spaces for teambuilding and corporate gatherings. Among them is a creekside eucalyptus grove and organic garden, originally the site of a 1935 Girl Scout Camp.
“The Camp area is authentically Laguna and lends itself to a very special experience for groups,” said Jim Tolbert, director of sales and marketing. “You can get back there and instantly relax.”
The Ranch, which is targeting small meeting and incentive groups, is available for buyouts, particularly during the off-peak months of January through March, he said.
Anaheim Packing House
One of the few original citrus packing houses remaining in Orange County, the Anaheim Packing House was built in 1919 as a place where farmers could unload their citrus harvests to be washed and packed into crates for shipping.
Today the structure is a food hall with a central atrium and communal dining surrounded by cafes and kiosks. Private events, including cooking classes and demonstrations, wine pairings, banquets and receptions, can be arranged.
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
Considered the birthplace of California, Old Town San Diego, which began as a Spanish mission and military fort and grew into a Mexican pueblo, is often a big surprise to visitors who think they know what the Golden State is all about. The complex of historic buildings, museums, galleries and Mexican restaurants holds a wealth of possibilities for group events and tours.
“Old Town is a real eye-opener for people, especially those from out of state, who think of Southern California in terms of beaches and sunshine,” said Claudia Wehrman, director of sales and marketing for AlliedPRA San Diego, a DMC. “The truth is that San Diego was an ethnically diverse community from the very beginning. Old Town gives visitors a perspective on our origins and history that they wouldn’t otherwise know about.”
A great daytime option for groups, according to Wehrman, is a historical tour of Old Town, visiting sites such as Adobe House and tasting fried cactus, a staple of pioneer life. For events, restaurants such as Casa Guadalajara and Casa de Reyes are flexible venues for groups of all sizes.
“You can buy out a patio with seating for 60 or take over the entire restaurant and the shops next door for a large group of 1,000 or more,” she said. “It’s a real party environment, where people can go through the shops as well as enjoy the food.”
Horton Plaza Park, San Diego
One of San Diego’s newest venues, Horton Plaza Park provides open-air event space in the heart of downtown, including an amphitheater seating over 800 people, a landscaped historic park section accommodating up to 900 people for a reception and the more intimate South Plaza, suitable for small performances and receptions for up to 224 people. According to Wehrman, the park is an affordable alternative to holding events in the nearby historic Gaslamp Quarter.
“Horton Plaza was purpose-built for events, so you don’t have to worry about permits and taking over streets as you do in the Gaslamp,” she said. “You can bring in street performers and create a festival atmosphere. This is a great addition to downtown.”
The Living Desert, Palm Desert
Heading inland in Southern California brings the rugged desert landscape of the Coachella Valley, with its deep canyons, palm groves and jagged mountains. A microcosm of this environment is easily accessible at The Living Desert zoo and gardens in Palm Desert. Botanical gardens at The Living Desert offer the chance to wander through a grove of rare native California palms and yucca trees, keeping on the lookout for hummingbirds, quail, dove, desert wrens and roadrunners. An adjoining nature preserve has hiking trails up through the surrounding hills and desert riparian woodland for spectacular views of the valley below.
Groups can enjoy events throughout The Living Desert, including the Chase Gallery & Garden, which accommodates up to 300 guests in a setting surrounded by palm trees and a sculptural waterfall, and the Palm Garden Patio, where up to 800 guests can dine under the desert stars.
Ponte Winery, Temecula
Located in the heart of the Temecula Wine Country, Ponte Winery is surrounded by 300 acres of mature vineyards and gardens. Its grounds include a destination restaurant and the Ponte Vineyard Inn, a boutique hotel with 8,000 square feet of indoor meeting space as well as a cozy wine bar and outdoor patio with fire pits. Balloon rides, wine-tasting seminars and other events can be arranged.
“Ponte is a really nice winery to work with for just about any size of group,” said AlliedPRA’s Wehrman. “They do a lovely job with their wine tastings and have great settings.”
Graber Olive House, Ontario
Olive trees have flourished in Southern California ever since Franciscan missionaries from Spain first planted them there in 1769. At Graber Olive House, an Ontario business established in 1894, visitors can observe the grading and curing of olives raised in groves in the San Joaquin Valley. Accommodating events for up to 150 guests, the historic facility includes a peaceful garden surrounded by palm and olive trees.
Museum of Flying, Santa Monica
For aviation aficionados, Santa Monica’s Museum of Flying offers space for up to 850 for receptions and 350 for dinners. Originally established in 1974 as the Douglas Museum and Library, the museum changed locations several times over the years, opening in its current spot at the Santa Monica Airport in 2012. The collection consists of artifacts from the Douglas Aircraft Company, aviation art and historic aircraft.
