Meetings Beyond the Bridge

Contra Costa County

Richmond is an idyllic bayside setting just north of Berkeley that offers a memorable experience for attendees and planners alike. Richmond combines history (The Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park), creativity (a thriving local arts and culture scene), natural beauty (bay views and outdoor activities), and state-of-the-art meeting venues (Richmond Memorial Convention Center and Craneway Pavillion, among others). San Francisco Travel and the Richmond Convention and Visitors Bureau provide meeting professionals with everything they’ll need to execute a successful event at this community near San Francisco.

Marin County

With breathtaking coastal beauty at Point Reyes and the Marin Headlands, as well as creative dining opportunities in waterfront communities, Marin County is the perfect location for attendees who think big ideas are best discovered with fresh air and fun. Plan an outdoor excursion, a reception with local oysters on the half-shell, and discover venues that make meetings productive and memorable. Located just across the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco Travel partners with the Marin Convention & Visitors Bureau to provide exceptional service to meeting planners interested in this destination.

Within Marin County, Sausalito features a beautiful waterfront promenade, steep and breathtaking hills, and a vibrant arts scene. You can get out on the water with Bay Adventures. The Bay Area Discovery Museum is a great place to either host an event or let any attendees' families explore. As for dining, Scoma's of Sausalito is just one of many excellent options available to you. San Francisco Travel works in partnership with the Sausalito Chamber of Commerce to connect you with all the possible experiences the seaside town has to offer.

Nearby Tiburon offers incredible views, plenty of sunshine, easy access to the water and lots of fun activities for groups — all within easy access of San Francisco (by car or boat). Plan a team outing to a cheese-making class, wine tasting or a sailing adventure on the bay to round out a long day of meetings. Destination Tiburon and San Francisco Travel collaborate to offer local expertise, assistance and leads to meeting professionals interested in planning an event here.

Napa County

The destination that practically invented wine country in America offers luxurious experiences for before, during or after your meeting. From wineries with meeting and event space to world-class resort properties like Auberge du Soleil, attendees can enjoy wine tasting, famed dining, scenic beauty and unique activities like hot air ballooning and cooking classes. San Francisco Travel partners with Visit Napa Valley to ensure that all your logistical needs are met hassle-free.

Planners should also consider Yountville, the “culinary capital of Napa Valley.” Yountville gives attendees a true taste of Northern California, with world-class restaurants and celebrated wineries in a unique, small-town setting. Groups of 5 to 500 can be accommodated at a variety of venues and meeting facilities with plenty of activities for team building or incentive groups. San Francisco Travel works with the Yountville Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center to provide seamless assistance to planners. 

Berkeley

The destination that invented farm-to-table California cuisine and was an epicenter for 1960s counter-culture, Berkeley adds plenty of character to a meeting or event. With famed restaurants helmed by celebrated chefs, historic buildings and beautiful gardens, this city features 18 square miles of distinctive venues. Home to UC Berkeley, one of the world’s leading educational centers, and BAMPFA (Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive), your event can take inspiration from Berkeley’s cutting-edge climate of thought leadership. San Francisco Travel partners with Visit Berkeley to ensure that all your logistical needs are hassle-free.

Concord

Concord blends hospitality, outdoor recreation and comfort, making it an ideal location to host a meeting. Explore beer trails or hike Mt. Diablo for breathtaking views of the region. With several lodging options and easy access with BART, Concord offers meeting planners everything from Waterworld California, Northern California’s largest water park, to the Concord Pavilion, one of California’s premier outdoor music venues. San Francisco Travel and Visit Concord provide meeting professionals with everything they need to execute a successful event from start to finish.

Emeryville

Easily accessible by BART or the Capitol Corridor, Emeryville is nestled between the cities of Berkeley and Oakland. Even though Emeryville is only one square mile, within it there are movie theaters, bars, dance halls, health clubs, shopping malls and so much more. Along Emeryville’s Marina is the famous Trader Vic's, hailed as one of the best restaurants in the Bay Area, serving Polynesian style cuisine with tropical cocktails.

Oakland

Just across the Bay Bridge, Oakland offers it all: world-class hotels, a 64,000-square-foot convention center, an international airport, fine shops, buzz-worthy restaurants, art galleries and museums. Oakland features a variety of unforgettable settings, including waterfront views and redwood forests, all within easy access of San Francisco by car, boat or BART. San Francisco Travel partners with Visit Oakland to provide meeting planners with one-of-a-kind venues like the Chabot Space & Science Center and the Oakland Museum of California. They can also help you plan a team outing to explore Oakland’s burgeoning arts scene and booming food scene.

Richmond

With a convention center that has more than 20,000 feet of space and easy access from San Francisco with BART, you can plan your whole event in Richmond. San Francisco Travel and Visit Richmond CA provide meeting professionals with tools and information to create a seamless event in this destination.

Tri-Valley

The “Sunny Side of the Bay” gives attendees great weather year-round in an idyllic small town setting, brimming with beautiful scenery and endless activities. Attendees can enjoy wine tasting in Livermore (California’s oldest wine region), as well as the San Francisco Premium outlets; street fairs in Pleasanton; and delicious dining in Dublin or Danville. Travel the always popular Tri-Valley Beer Trail, which includes more than 16 craft breweries, taprooms and restaurants. Tri-Valley is loaded with venues, including state-of-the-art hotels, vineyards, country clubs, golf courses and delicious restaurants. San Francisco Travel works closely with Visit Tri-Valley to ensure meeting professionals have the tools, information and access they need to create a perfect event here. 

Walnut Creek

With a mild Mediterranean climate, picture-perfect hillsides and superb shopping and dining, Walnut Creek offers attendees a distinctive blend of beautiful wilderness and urban flair. Enjoy 22 parks with more than 2,700 acres of open space. Festivals abound in this charm-filled community, including the wildly popular Walnut Creek Chamber Art & Wine Festival. With its easy access to BART and major roadways, Walnut Creek is also just a short distance from famous Napa Valley. San Francisco Travel partners with the Walnut Creek Convention & Visitors Bureau to provide exceptional service to meeting planners considering this destination.

Gilroy

A warm Mediterranean climate, relaxed ambiance and prime location just 16 miles south of San Jose make Gilroy a convenient and affordable basecamp for Silicon Valley meetings and events. Plan a day trip for attendees to visit Gilroy's many family-owned wineries and tasting rooms in the Santa Clara Valley, or host a reception at the Wedgewood Wedding & Banquet Center at Eagle Ridge Golf Club, featuring gorgeous valley views. San Francisco Travel works with the Gilroy Welcome Center to provide planners with the resources to execute flawless affairs of all sizes.

San Jose

Dubbed the capital of Silicon Valley, vibrant San Jose is the Bay Area's largest city. The continually evolving metropolis offers more than 40 meeting venues equipped to accommodate between 50 to 3,900 people, more than 367,000 square feet of convention space and 4,000 citywide hotel rooms. Attendee perks include a walkable downtown; free Wi-Fi throughout the airport, convention center and downtown areas; and an endless selection of dining and nightlife options. San Francisco Travel works with Team San Jose, a unique organization that unifies the San Jose Convention Center, San Jose Convention & Visitors Bureau, venues, hotels and local businesses to save planners energy, time and resources.

Santa Clara

Located just 45 miles southeast of San Francisco, Santa Clara is a contemporary city with a rich past. In between meetings, attendees can peek into California's storied history at iconic landmarks like the 1777 Mission Santa Clara and Santa Clara Railroad Depot, or delve into the city's modern side at the Intel Museum, California’s Great America, and Levi's Stadium, home of the San Francisco 49ers. Santa Clara Convention Center, one of Silicon Valley's largest meeting and event centers, boasts 32,000 square feet of flexible space for events of all sizes. San Francisco Travel collaborates with the Santa Clara Convention & Visitors Bureau to ensure planners find the right space and services for every occasion.

San Mateo County

Home to many distinguished corporations, including Apple, Meta, and Zoom. San Mateo County's meeting spaces have facilitated some of the world's most groundbreaking ideas. More than 30 convention hotels and 170 diverse properties are available, and options for pre- and post-meeting fun range from kayaking or surfing in the Pacific Ocean to strolling an authentic Japanese Tea Garden in San Mateo's Central Park. San Francisco Travel partners with the San Mateo County/Silicon Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Silicon Valley Innovation Center to help planners with everything from transportation and lodging to team-building activities and entertainment.

SFO Area

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is one of the city's greatest assets; not only for its incredible amount of airlift, but also for the many excellent and affordable hotels in the surrounding neighborhood. These properties are all just a short drive or BART ride from downtown San Francisco. The Grand Hyatt at SFO has luxury dining, a top floor reception area featuring panoramic views of San Francisco, and more than 30,000 square feet of venue space. Located in Menlo Park, Hotel Nia provides luxury hospitality and innovative amenities. For a more interactive group experience, consider the San Francisco Wine School in South San Francisco for an off-site corporate meeting, team building, or industry talks, panels, and demos.

Calaveras

Ranging from the foothills at sea level to 8,000-foot mountain peaks, Calaveras County offers meeting planners a wide range of locations. Attendees can enjoy skiing in the morning and playing a round of golf in the afternoon. The setting for one of Mark Twain’s first short stories, Calaveras County also boasts historic downtowns, wineries, art galleries, spas, notable hotels, shopping and even three caves that are open to the public. San Francisco Travel partners with Go Calaveras to provide you with everything you need to execute a flawless event in this diverse region.

Gold Country

Covering the various counties that comprise Gold Country—including Sierra, Nevada, Placer, El Dorado, Sacramento, Amador, Calaveras, Tuolumne, Mariposa and Madera counties — the Gold Country Visitors Association can create memorable itineraries for your guests. Whether you’re looking to plan team-building activities or entertain attendees with experiences ranging from golf and whitewater rafting to wine tasting and fine dining, San Francisco Travel and the Gold Country Visitors Association will ensure all your logistical needs are met.

Tuolumne County/Yosemite

This charming area is the most direct route to Yosemite National Park, an immense national protected space containing more than 1,200 square miles of breathtaking views, waterfalls, vast meadows, and several hiking trails. The towns of Sonora, Columbia, Jamestown, Twain Harte and Groveland feature an array of unique venues, including historic Gold Rush towns, golf courses, wineries and a historic train. San Francisco Travel works with the Tuolumne County Visitors Bureau to provide planners with resources to execute flawless events of all sizes.

Shasta Cascade

This must-see destination for nature lovers features venues within the beautiful landscape of Lake Shasta and the towering 14,000-foot-tall (4,267 meters) Mt. Shasta. The area also offers many outdoor opportunities for team-building, including camping, hiking, skiing, fishing, rafting, snowboarding and mountaineering. San Francisco Travel collaborates with the Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association to help you find the right spaces and activities to meet your business and retreat goals.

Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is best known for its beaches and ski resorts but has plenty more to offer. Snuggled into the Serra Nevada Mountains between Nevada and California, Lake Tahoe offers scenic hikes, endless outdoor activities, camping and much more. With more than 2.7 million visitors a year, this premiere outdoor destination is perfect for your company retreats or team-building activities.