The science is in, and it says that meetings outdoors can boost productivity and focus, reduce anxiety and depression, lower blood pressure and inspire creativity and innovation. And where better to hold an outdoor meeting or event than Southern California, where the sun shines more than 300 days per year?
“California’s year-round ideal weather and abundance of outdoor venues and meeting spaces set us apart from the competition,” says Caroline Beteta, President and CEO of Visit California. “Here, meeting attendees can expect to be outside as much as possible, soaking in the sunshine and breathtaking views and engaging in teambuilding activities from morning surf lessons to sunset sails. California’s unique blend of productivity and relaxation ensures meetings will be both memorable and effective.”
Here are three top Southern California destinations with stunning outdoor venues that are a natural choice for outdoor meetings and events.
“People bring their meetings and events to Greater Palm Springs because of the lifestyle and because the weather makes it easy to plan outdoor meetings in a seamless way—no need for backup plans,” says Colleen Pace, Chief Marketing Officer, Visit Greater Palm Springs. “Our outdoor spaces are extensions of our hotels and resorts—in Greater Palm Springs, the oasis is real.”
She adds, “You can do everything from glow-in-the-dark golf events to feeding giraffes during an event at The Living Desert botanical garden and zoo to holding breakouts on a beach at one of our hotels to doing a surf event at the Palm Springs Surf Club.”
Among the popular spots are the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa’s 160,000 sf of outdoor space, complete with spectacular lake and mountain views. At the Metate Ranch, you can meet at the onsite event spaces before taking a Jeep tour or take part in an array of teambuilding activities. The Palm Springs Convention Center also has stunning outdoor venues, including the Jackie Lee Houston Plaza, perfect for evening receptions and galas, and the Esplanade, which can accommodate up to 4,000 for receptions or 2,500 for seated meals.
One new venue scheduled to open this September is the Thompson Palm Springs. The Design District hotel, which has 168 rooms and suites, promises to be a chic urban oasis with a signature restaurant, two outdoor pools—one on the rooftop—and approximately 8,000 sf of flexible meeting and event space.
The iconic desert resort Hyatt Regency Indian Wells also is completing a $64 million renovation that will introduce transformed guest rooms, suites, luxury villas, new restaurant concepts, refreshed meeting and event spaces and a reimagined pool complex that is sure to be a popular spot for outdoor events.
Late last year, the Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa opened with 215 guest rooms, including 23 suites. The resort’s 35,000 sf of meeting and event space includes 15,000 sf of outdoor event space, as well as three pools. Some of the property’s unique outdoor venues are the olive and citrus groves, perfect for mixers and receptions, as well as lush lawns and terraces that extend from many of the resort’s indoor venues.
Greater Palm Springs also is easier to get to now than ever, with the addition of a nonstop flight between Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) and Washington Dulles International Airport in Washington D.C., slated to launch at the end of 2024.
If you want big-city amenities combined with small-town charm, Anaheim, the home of Disneyland, may be a good fit. The city offers a range of outdoor venues, from rooftop terraces to a citrus-packing facility-turned-food-hall. Anaheim’s walkable downtown area features an array of dining, entertainment and shopping options.
“The combination of safety, cleanliness, convenience and unique Disney touch make Anaheim unlike any other destination in the country,” said Ronnie Collins, Senior VP of Services & Sales, Visit Anaheim.
Tying the Anaheim Convention Center campus together is the 100,000-sf Grand Plaza, which has 36,000 sf of usable event space, including a beautifully landscaped gathering area surrounded by two water fountains, citrus and palm trees, and meeting places where attendees can network as a group or enjoy the California sunshine on their own between sessions.
Adjacent to the Arena is the Arena Plaza, whose courtyard area can accommodate receptions for up to 3,500. Located at ACC North, the Katella Terrace is a 10,000-sf open-air balcony where attendees can enjoy views of the Disneyland Resort fireworks. Additionally, The Anaheim Packing District encompasses four historic landmarks, including Farmers Park, another off-site outdoor option.
The Pixar Place Hotel opened its doors earlier this year, marking the official transformation of Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel into the first fully Pixar-themed hotel in the U.S. The 15-story high-rise overlooking Disney California Adventure Park boasts comfortable and contemporary guest rooms, new dining options and a rooftop pool area. The Hilton Anaheim, located on the Anaheim Convention Center Campus, is undergoing a full property renovation that will include redesigned guest rooms, upgrades to the 105,959 sf of meeting and event space, restaurant and bar rebrands and improved outdoor spaces. The project is expected to be completed in the summer of 2025.
Looking ahead, OCVIBE is coming to Anaheim in 2028. The $3 billion, 95-acre, premier mixed-use community and live entertainment district will surround its anchor, Honda Center, with new live entertainment venues, two new hotels, unique meeting spaces, dining and retail offerings.
Los Angeles boasts a wide and diverse range of landscapes, offering planners an abundance of choice—close to the beach, in the mountains, in the desert or even on a rooftop in Hollywood. Los Angeles International Airport also is undergoing a multi-billion-dollar capital improvement program to modernize terminals.
“What often surprises planners the most about Los Angeles is the variety of unique and ‘only in LA’ venues available,” says Adam Burke, President & CEO, Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board. “These spaces shine as incredible event venues in their own right and hold historical and cultural significance, further adding to the depth of the meeting.” For example, he said, planners looking for a sports and entertainment venue can look to the brand-new Intuit Dome (home of the LA Clippers and host of NBA All-Star 26), the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, BMO Stadium, Dodger Stadium, and the Crypto.com Arena. For those looking to tap into art and culture, the Petersen Automotive Museum, Getty Center, California African American Museum, Descanso Gardens or Hollywood Bowl offer experiences that are unique to LA. And where else can you host your meeting on the backlot of a working movie studio?
With so many options to choose from, Burke recommends planners use the “Find a Venue” tool on MeetLA.com. However, there are a few standouts you may want to consider. One is SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park, the first indoor-outdoor stadium ever constructed and the largest in the NFL. Spanning 3.1 million sf, the state-of-the-art stadium offers more than 35 event spaces. Event spaces in the Sony Picture Studios include the historic Rita Hayworth Dining Room, gorgeous Calley Park, chic 9th and Main, small-town streets where TV and movies are shot, and the commissary where the stars wine and dine—and catering is provided by Wolfgang Puck Catering. The historic Battleship USS Iowa is a unique waterfront venue where attendees can explore the ship’s history and engage with exhibits before gathering for a reception or event on the ship’s expansive outdoor decks and event spaces.
LA also is looking forward to the LA Convention Center expansion project, scheduled for completion before the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games come to town. The new construction will connect the two existing South and West Exhibit Halls by adding 190,000 sf of space to create one contiguous hall and will add 55,000 sf of new meeting room space and 95,000 sf of multipurpose space. The plan also includes a redesign of Gilbert Lindsay Plaza, which will add public open space and become an exciting outdoor venue for event programming.
californiameetings.com; visitgreaterpalmsprings.com/meetings; visitanaheim.org/meetings; discoverlosangeles.com/meetla