From coastal meetings and rustic retreats to unique offsite events, discover the best group venues in California’s Central Coast
With its awe-inspiring scenery, world-class accommodations, renowned attractions and robust, flexible venue offerings, Monterey County is a premier bleisure meetings destination along California’s Central Coast. You’ll find well-established brands like Embassy Suites by Hilton Monterey Bay Seaside for small to mid-size meetings, luxury outdoor venues fueling creativity and collaboration in the heart of Big Sur, and large meeting venues with cutting-edge technology in Monterey’s city center.
The destination also has something to accommodate whatever vibe you might be looking for. Whether your group is seeking ocean views, historic charm, rustic retreats, an escape to wine country, unique off-site meeting locations or large conference venues, we’ve assembled a list to help you find your perfect venue to create an authentic meeting experience in Monterey County.
Table of Contents
- Coastal Vibes with Ocean Views
- Historic Charm Meets Chic
- Rustic Retreats
- Food & Wine Country
- Unique Offsites
- Best for Large Conferences
Coastal Vibes with Ocean Views
Monterey County is brimming with coastal towns along Highway 1, each offering stunning views for ocean lovers. Along Monterey’s famed Cannery Row, check out two impressive hotels: The 285-room Monterey Plaza Hotel and Spa and slightly smaller 208-room InterContinental The Clement Monterey. Monterey Plaza can accommodate mid- to large-sized groups, featuring 30,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space. The venue offers luxurious accommodations, open-air spaces, incredible views of the Monterey Bay and ocean-side dining. The InterContinental The Clement is geared towards smaller groups, offering 15,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor meeting space with floor-to-ceiling windows, as well as a desirable coastal charm with elements like a glass-spun jellyfish chandelier. For a more secluded and intimate beachfront retreat, choose Sanctuary Beach Resort, featuring venue gatherings for up to 150 guests nestled within Marina’s sand dunes.
Historic Charm Meets Chic
Upon a visit to Monterey County, you’ll discover that the destination is steeped in California history – from the state’s first theatre to the first Constitutional Convention. If your group appreciates historic sites, look to the legendary Pebble Beach Resorts. With its world-renowned golf courses, historic Lodge, spectacular setting, impeccable catering, and full-service audio-visual team, Pebble Beach Resorts can accommodate groups of all sizes, from small to large, with up to 800 people. For something on a smaller scale but equally grand, La Playa Hotel in Carmel-by-the-Sea offers 6,000 square feet of meeting space, complemented by its historic charm and stunning gardens. As an added fun fact, the hotel also served as the host hotel where Steve Jobs unveiled the Macintosh computer prototype to his team in 1983. If overnight lodging isn’t needed, The Barns at Cooper Molera in Monterey is an ideal venue that blends rustic elegance with historic charm, as the barn dates to the early 1800s.
Rustic Retreats
Speaking of rustic, Monterey County offers several venues that provide even more opportunities to connect with nature – from historic lodges to camping adventures. Asilomar Conference Grounds offers 65,000 square feet of meeting and event venues situated on 107 acres of coastal paradise in Pacific Grove. Accommodations range from cozy cottages to rustic lodges, while meeting spaces include elegant ballrooms and nature-inspired venues, offering a truly unique experience. If your goal is team building, consider The Camp at Carmel Valley for strategy sessions and retreats. The Camp provides a unique opportunity to escape from traditional meeting spaces and unplug in nature. Choose from glamping tents, cabins and a few houses on the sun-kissed hills of Carmel Valley. If your group wants to take it to the bare basics of camping, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca’s recreation area provides spaces for tent campers to motor coaches. The famous raceway also provides event rentals with views of its track, including an option at Pit Row. Beyond its venue spaces, you can also rent the raceway for a high-adrenaline team building experience.
Food & Wine Country
With an ideal climate for growing varietals like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, your group can enjoy one of California’s sought-after wine country escapes in Monterey County. Many of these venues are situated in Carmel Valley, including the expansive Carmel Valley Ranch. Situated on 500 acres of land, your group can enjoy a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces to mix business with fun. The Ranch is renowned for its customizable group activities and culinary focus, featuring a 2-acre organic garden, vineyard, bee program, and farmstead goat cheese. A little further down Carmel Valley Road sits the luxurious Bernardus Lodge & Spa. With its own vineyard, the 73-room property offers elegantly appointed indoor and outdoor meeting spaces, along with a focus on culinary experiences. Your group can enjoy chef-led walks through its organic gardens, curated wine tastings and culinary demonstrations. Monterey County also has numerous wineries and vineyards that can accommodate your group. The award-winning Folktale Winery & Vineyards features a fairy-tale-inspired castle as its main dining venue and 15 acres of sustainably farmed vineyards. Choose from wine blending workshops to cooking classes to indoor and outdoor spaces that include a 10,000-square-foot Barrel Room.
Unique Offsites
One of the premier meeting venues within Monterey County is the world-renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium. The Aquarium offers an exclusive opportunity for your group to be surrounded by sea life after-hours for an intimate and immersive experience. Plus, you’ll have the added benefit of knowing that your group can both learn and support the ocean in the process. If an off-site venue above water is your preference, Monterey Beach Station is situated directly on the beach and can accommodate up to 1,500 guests. Choose from hosted dining events, s’more-making, bonfires on the beach, wine and paint nights, volleyball tournaments, and more. Speaking of paint, groups with an appreciation of the arts can consider an off-site meeting or event at Monterey History and Art Association’s Stanton Center. Your group can choose to rent out Stanton Center’s 100-seat theater, courtyard, or gallery, which showcases the works of local artists, including paintings, sculptures, photography, and more.
Best for Large Conferences
One of the hallmarks of a great meeting's destination is its conference center. In the heart of Monterey, the LEED Platinum Monterey Conference Center offers your group 40,000 square feet of state-of-the-art meeting space. The conference center is flanked by two prominent hotels, the 341-room Monterey Marriott and the LEED Certified 379-room Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay. When combined, the facilities offer 85,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, within walking distance of locally owned restaurants and popular attractions, such as Old Fisherman’s Wharf. If you’d prefer a standalone hotel for your large group, the 560-room Hyatt Regency Monterey offers 40,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and event space. Surrounded by Monterey pines, Hyatt Regency offers easy access to the oldest continuously operating golf course west of the Mississippi River (Del Monte Golf Course), has an on-site spa, two outdoor pools, on-site restaurants and easy access to the Monterey Peninsula.