Anaheim Convention Center

With its unmatched geographic diversity, robust infrastructure and culture of innovation, California offers associations an exceptional setting for meetings and events of every size and scope. From world-class convention centers and cutting-edge hotels to a deep talent pool of service providers, the state combines logistical ease with inspiring destinations. Add in year-round favorable weather, convenient air access and a wealth of cultural, educational and recreational experiences, and California delivers not just a place to gather, but an environment that encourages engagement, learning and meaningful connection for association members.

Anaheim

Centrally located between Los Angeles and San Diego, Anaheim has long been considered a “go-to” destination in California for conventions, meetings and other association events. With its close proximity to five airports and access to countless amenities and meeting venues, it is an obvious choice.

In addition, the LEED Gold-certified Anaheim Convention Center is the largest on the west coast, spanning 53 acres. It provides approximately 1.8 million sf of flexible event, exhibit and meeting space, making it ideal for everything from large-scale exhibitions to specialized sessions. It also just underwent a $190 million expansion, adding ACC North, which makes it the most flexible convention center in the country.

It is not the only renovation in the area. Another key venue, The Honda Center is currently undergoing a $1 billion renovation to provide more modern facilities for large-scale events and general sessions. Adjacent to it is OCVIBE, a new entertainment district currently in development. The district is expected to offer ideal settings for venue buyouts, post-conference nightlife, hosted receptions and other gatherings for groups, both large and small.

There are also resorts and hotels dotting the Anaheim area that offer something for everyone. From the Hilton Anaheim, with 150,000 sf of meeting and event space, to Disneyland Resort, with over 170,000 sf, the range of venues is as diverse as the organizations gathering. The Westin Anaheim Resort, which is across from Disneyland Resort and next to the convention Center, is a popular option as well. It offers 54,000 sf of event space. These are just a few possibilities.

When business wraps up, attendees can take advantage of Anaheim’s world-class attractions such as the Downtown Disney District, Disneyland and additional theme parks, sports venues and other entertainment options — built-in incentives that enhance attendance and engagement.

Monterey Conference Center

Monterey

Blending strong meeting infrastructure with an inspiring coastal environment, Monterey remains a favorite among association meeting planners. Here, planners can find plenty of venues that will accommodate groups from 10 to 10,000. The destination is home to more than 11,800 rooms from more than 220 properties.

One of the biggest “draws” of the area is the Monterey Conference Center, which is at the heart of the city’s meeting scene. From its expansive amphitheater to the myriad of breakout rooms, ballrooms and exhibit areas, the conference center is ideal for a range of conference sizes and meeting formats. It provides 85,000 sf of state-of-the-art meeting space.

The LEED-Platinum certified Monterey Conference Center further enhances the destination by linking major hotels and meeting venues, creating a cohesive environment with ample combined meeting space and accommodations for larger groups.

Situated on Monterey Bay, the destination’s natural beauty provides a visually stunning backdrop that transforms meetings into memorable experiences. Many take advantage of the easy walkability to the Fisherman’s Wharf and more than 60 restaurants.

Pasadena

Pasadena offers associations a compelling convention and meetings destination by blending a walkable, character-rich downtown with first-rate meeting infrastructure and easy access to the greater Los Angeles region. Located just minutes from downtown Los Angeles and major airports, Pasadena provides the convenience of a major metro area with a more relaxed, focused environment, ideal for networking and collaboration.

Dusty Schleier, CMP, DES, director of meetings & conventions at the Barbershop Harmony Society, recently planned the 2026 Barbershop Harmony Society Midwinter Convention, a gathering of barbershop harmony enthusiasts from around the world. The event welcomed approximately 1,200 attendees and utilized both the Pasadena Civic Auditorium and the Pasadena Convention Center.

The Pasadena Convention Center is a modern, flexible facility surrounded by hotels, restaurants and cultural attractions, allowing attendees to move easily between meetings and off-site activities.

“Our Midwinter event is typically held in cities with warmer climates in January,” Schleier says. “The weather specifically keeps drawing us back to California for the event. We love coming to Pasadena due to the amazing acoustics in the Civic Auditorium and fantastic hotels and restaurants within walking distance. It also helped that the weather was picture perfect every day of our January event.”

Schleier adds that he wouldn’t hesitate to book Pasadena again. “Our attendees mentioned that they had some hesitation to come to southern California due to their perception of safety,” Schleier says. “Our post-event survey responses already show that our attendees felt incredibly safe in Pasadena, even late at night.”

Pasadena’s historic architecture, arts scene and culinary offerings add distinctive value to the attendee experience, while Southern California’s year-round mild climate supports outdoor receptions and social events for association members to enjoy.

Long Beach

Long Beach blends big-city meeting infrastructure with a relaxed, coastal atmosphere that enhances the association attendee experience. The Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center serves as a modern, versatile hub for association events, featuring expansive exhibit space, flexible meeting rooms and scenic waterfront views. Its location along the marina creates ample opportunities for outdoor receptions, networking events and unique off-site experiences.

The walkable downtown is adjacent to the convention center and offers a wide range of hotels, dining and entertainment options, allowing attendees to stay engaged without extensive transportation logistics.

Long Beach also boasts a growing collection of revitalized and distinctive hotels. Fairmont Breakers Long Beach marked the grand revival of one of the city’s most iconic landmarks — once popular with the biggest stars of Hollywood’s Golden Era — following an extensive restoration and renovation. Completed in November 2024, the historic building reemerges as Long Beach’s first five-star luxury hotel, featuring elegantly appointed guestrooms and suites. Enhancements include the city’s only luxury hotel spa and a two-level fitness center, a new rooftop pool, and an open-air lounge and bar offering 360-degree Pacific Ocean views.

Hotel Maya, Long Beach’s iconic waterfront retreat, is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a multi-million-dollar renovation. Now operating as an independent boutique lifestyle hotel, the property is undergoing a comprehensive refresh that includes a redesigned lobby, an updated signature restaurant and bar, enhanced resort-style amenities, new suites and a full redesign of all guestrooms to highlight ocean views while preserving its distinctive waterfront character.

The Marriott Long Beach Downtown has recently completed a comprehensive renovation following its conversion from the former Renaissance Long Beach Hotel. Updates include refreshed guestrooms, reimagined public spaces anchored by a central great-room lobby, and modernized meeting and event spaces featuring flexible layouts, smart technology and advanced videoconferencing. Additional enhancements include a redesigned pool deck, health club and a chic coastal-inspired design palette.

Moscone Center

San Francisco

Pairing world-class meeting infrastructure with a culture of innovation and global connectivity, San Francisco is a compelling destination for association conventions and meetings. At the heart of the city’s meetings ecosystem is the Moscone Center, a state-of-the-art convention facility designed to accommodate large-scale conventions, as well as smaller, highly specialized meetings.

According to Paula Schneider, director of meetings and conventions at the American Psychiatric Association in Washington D.C., the association has hosted its annual meeting in San Francisco every three years since she joined the association in 2019, at the Moscone North and South.

“We hosted our 2019 meeting, prior to COVID with professional attendance at 10,988 and our 2023 meeting with professional attendance at 8,365,” she says. Prior to COVID they did not offer a virtual option but now offer it to attendees who are unable to attend in person.

Schneider notes that San Francisco’s accessibility and international appeal make it particularly attractive. “San Francisco is an amazing gateway to the U.S. It’s easy to navigate a city that offers not only some fabulous restaurants, but many of the iconic neighborhoods and sites are within footsteps of the downtown area. San Francisco is also a desirable location for a meeting due to the access to our international attendees, specifically those who travel from the Pacific Rim,” she says.

While San Francisco has faced heightened media attention related to public health and safety issues, Schneider emphasizes the city’s proactive partnership with meeting planners. “San Francisco Travel has worked directly with the APA to ensure a safe, productive and collaborative environment for our attendees and exhibitors,” Schneider says. “The inaugural programs they have developed regarding the cleanliness and safety of the city have made a significant impact on our planning and execution of our annual meeting.”

Germaine Lutman Schaefer, associate vice president, meetings and events at the Heart Rhythm Society, has overseen events in San Francisco ranging from 500-person meetings to conventions exceeding 20,000 attendees.

“Our last meeting in San Francisco was in 2022, and our next one is in 2027,” Lutman Schaefer says. “This will be the eighth annual meeting we’ve held there since 2004. Our 10,000+ total attendees enjoy returning to the city for its walkability, great restaurants and easy convention center.”

California represents the society’s largest attendee base, and San Francisco’s strong airlift supports both domestic and international participation.

“Over nearly 20 years, I’ve seen the hotel community and convention center truly come together to understand the value associations bring,” Lutman Schaefer says. “There’s a real willingness to listen, collaborate and find solutions. Each time we return, it feels like a partnership.”

For planners who may have ruled out San Francisco in the past, Lutman Schaefer encourages a fresh look. “They may be pleasantly surprised by hotel rates and flexibility, especially during value months,” she says. “The city is investing heavily in cleanliness, safety ambassadors and new dining and cultural offerings. Business feels appreciated.”

Marina del Rey

For associations seeking a scenic coastal setting with a relaxed yet upscale harbor atmosphere, Marina del Rey delivers. The area offers a range of venues suitable for both intimate breakout sessions and larger conferences, often with stunning marina views.

The Marina del Rey Marriott is a large, well-reviewed hotel featuring substantial guestroom inventory and event space, including a renovated rooftop ballroom with sweeping coastal views. Nearby, The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey offers luxury accommodations along with extensive indoor and outdoor meeting options. The Marina del Rey Hotel rounds out the offerings with a waterfront location ideal for receptions and sessions, thanks to its flexible indoor and outdoor event spaces and gardens.

Celebrated Resorts

California is also home to an impressive collection of resorts that provide ideal settings for association meetings and events.

The California Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) recently hosted its Western Secondary Market Conference at Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes. “We have hosted our event for several years at Terranea Resort, welcoming 700 to 800 residential mortgage professionals with the support of approximately 40 sponsoring organizations,” says Sarah Keil, event coordinator at the California MBA. “Terranea was strategically selected as the home of this event due to its exceptional location and natural beauty. Our attendees value the opportunity to step away from conference sessions to enjoy the coastal trails and breathtaking ocean views.”

Accommodating a large number of guests onsite has always been a priority for the California MBA group, and Terranea’s diverse lodging options – including suites, villas and casitas – have allowed the association to do so more effectively each year.

“Additionally, our top-tier sponsors require private meeting space, and Terranea’s collection of more than 20 meeting rooms of varying sizes has been an excellent fit, many offering stunning ocean views,” Keil says.

One of the highlights for California MBA’s event is the evening All-Attendee Party hosted on the Palos Verdes Terrace. The panoramic ocean backdrop, distant sailboats and sunset views create an ideal and memorable setting for any event.

“Our goal has always been to offer a fully immersive experience, providing all meetings, receptions and meals onsite so attendees never need to leave the property,” Keil says. “Over time, our attendees have come to value the exclusive, VIP nature of this event, and the location and staff play a significant role in bringing that vision to life.”

Indeed, Terranea uniquely balances a relaxed resort atmosphere with the infrastructure needed to conduct meaningful business, and California MBA’s attendees deeply appreciate this combination.

“More broadly, when considering California as a meeting destination, the state offers unmatched versatility,” Keil says. “From ocean and mountain views to deserts, wine country, major cities and charming small towns, California provides a setting for virtually any event vision — often with the added benefit of convenient travel times for attendees.”

Also among Southern California’s most iconic luxury resort destinations is Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad. Set across 400 acres of rolling hills and lush landscapes, La Costa offers extensive indoor meeting space and idyllic outdoor venues. Its relaxed yet prestigious setting enhances association meetings, especially when paired with wellness, golf and leisure activities.

La Costa has become a strong choice for conventions, association retreats and meetings thanks to its wealth of indoor meeting space, including ballrooms and flexible meeting spaces, and its idyllic outdoor event space. A relaxed, yet prestigious setting draws attendees and enhances their experience, especially when meetings are blended with the many wellness, golf and leisure activities that the resort offers.

Just across the bay from San Diego, Hotel del Coronado stands as one of the nation’s most iconic seaside resorts. A National Historic Landmark celebrated for its Victorian architecture and sweeping ocean views, the resort offers association attendees a tranquil beachfront retreat just minutes from downtown San Diego. From historic ballrooms to beachfront lawns, Hotel del Coronado provides a variety of distinctive spaces ideal for conferences, networking events, dinners and team-building activities.

These are just a few of the plethora of options available to planners wanting to create events in The Golden State. | AC&F |