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Group Travel in the Golden State

The best part of travel is sharing experiences and making memories together. No matter your group’s interests, you’ll find experiences throughout California that cater to large groups of family and friends, corporate team building and group tours.

DESTINATIONS

Siskiyou
Spiritual seekers draw from the energy of Mount Shasta in Siskiyou County. Join a guided Mt. Shasta Retreat with life coach Andrew Oser, or plan a longer stay at the Pneuma Retreat Center to study spirituality and other artistic and academic pursuits. Outdoor lovers will enjoy exploring the more than 800 lava tubes at Lava Beds National Monument. 

Eureka
Have your Eureka moment on the North Coast at the ADA-accessible Sky Walk or enjoy a day on the water with a kayak or paddleboard experience from Humboats Kayak Adventures. After working up an appetite, bring the group to the Sea Grill or Shamus T Bone for a bite before relaxing in your rooms at the Pinc Lady Mansion or Carter House Inns. 

Gold Country
Explore California’s Gold Rush era in Amador at the Kennedy Mine, or delve into the area’s Native American history at The Chaw’se Regional Indian Museum in Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park. Taste Restaurant and Lone Wolf Restaurant cater to groups, while for accommodations, Jackson Rancheria offers arrangements for larger groups and Hotel Sutter is perfect for smaller parties. 

Santa Rosa
Santa Rosa may be in the heart of wine country, but it’s a hotspot for group outdoor adventuring too. Soar over the stunning landscape at Sonoma Zipline Adventures or grab your pith helmet and go on safari in the 400-acre Safari West to see rhinos, giraffes and more. If beagles are more your speed, head to The Charles M. Schulz Museum to see Snoopy and other Peanuts memorabilia. 

South Lake Tahoe
No matter the size or nature of the group, South Lake Tahoe is ready to host. With over 45 hotels and 35 condos in its portfolio, Tahoe Lakeshore Lodge & Spa can help you find the perfect lodging for your group. Margaritaville offers meeting rooms and restaurants and the Riva Grill serves up private dining. 

North Lake Tahoe
For adventure-seekers, North Lake Tahoe has it in spades. In winter, join the Tahoe Adventure Company on a snowshoe tour and in summer try a hiking odyssey. The Wild Society lets travellers explore the lake on a clear bottom kayak tour. Throughout summer, Tahoe Via Ferrata challenges groups with hiking, climbing and scrambling courses.

Visalia
Home to the iconic Sequoia National Park, the Visalia area offers amazing hikes and stunning scenery. In the park, the can’t-miss sight is General Sherman Tree, the largest living organism by volume on Earth. A perfect summer day group activity is an afternoon cheering on the Visalia Rawhide minor league baseball team at Valley Strong Stadium. 

Ventura
If you’re looking to make the most of your time with your crew, Ventura has a plethora of large group activities that promise laughter, memories and adventure. Explore the beauty of the Channel Islands National Park, rent an e-bike and venture out on the Rincon Bike Trail, or hang ten with a private surf lesson for a classic California experience.

Big Bear
Immerse in nature with Getaway House curated wellness retreats and corporate meetings in Big Bear. Families can soar down the Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain, Southern California’s only bobsled adventure, and everyone will enjoy a hearty California cuisine meal at Nottinghams Tavern. 

Catalina Island
Step back to the Golden Age of Hollywood and have your group escape to where the stars of that era holidayed, Catalina Island. An easy ferry or helicopter ride away from Orange County, plan a luxurious event at Mt. Ada, once the home of William Wrigley Jr., a fun beach party at the Descanso Beach Club or an exciting adventure soaring above the island with a Zip Line Eco Tour. 

Huntington Beach
Nothing beats learning to surf in Surf City USA, also known as Huntington Beach, but if land sports are more your group’s thing, spike the ball with a beach volleyball game near the Huntington Beach Pier. The city is also known for its beach bonfires; groups can plan their own by booking Huntington Beach House with its exclusive bonfire evenings.

Carlsbad
Foodies can get a taste of Carlsbad at Casa De Bandini’s salsa and guacamole making and tequila tasting classes, or a tour of the oyster farm at Carlsbad Aquafarm Tour & Tasting. Top hotels for groups in the area include the upscale Westin Carlsbad and the iconic Omni La Costa Resort & Spa. 

HOTELS FOR GROUPS

Lakeview Terrace Resort
Enjoy nature in Shasta County with a stay at Lakeview Terrace Resort. The property offers cabins, camping and RV spaces. Guests can enjoy hiking, fishing, rafting and jet skiing. The concierge can arrange group activities from wine tasting in the onsite natural amphitheatre or an evening drum circle with instruments provided by the resort. 

Beacon Grand Hotel
Your group is sure to leave its heart in San Francisco after a stay at the Beacon Grand Hotel in the centre of Union Square. It's over 17,000 sq. ft. of meeting space wows with gilded ceilings, grand chandeliers, intimate salon spaces, a reimagined grand ballroom and a sexy cocktail lounge. 

Flying Flags RV Resort
The Flying Flags RV Resort in the city of Buellton turns the concept of an RV park sideways. The hotel offers accommodations in vintage trailers, safari tents and cottages, plus fun amenities like bocce ball courts and fire pits for your group to enjoy. Next door, the Sideways Inn, its sister property, will wow wine lovers, who will remember it as the hotel from the iconic movie, “Sideways.”

AutoCamp Joshua Tree
Get ready for group glamping at the AutoCamp Joshua Tree. Your group can book Airstream suites or cabins that allow you to appreciate the park in style. The property has several intimate group spaces and can curate group experiences from stargazing to sound bath meditations. 

L’Ermitage Beverly Hills
If your group wants to live the 90210 lifestyle in Beverly Hills, there’s no better place to do it than the five-star L’Ermitage Beverly Hills. Book the L’Ermitage Suite and you’ll have private dining for 12 and your own movie screening room. If the group wants to hit the town, The Hideaway, with its expansive patio, tableside prepared Mexican dishes and a push-for-tequila button guarantees a fun evening in L.A.’s most glamorous area. 

Buena Park
As the home of Knott’s Berry Farm, Buena Park attracts families and corporate groups. The top hotels in the area for groups are Knott’s Hotel, DoubleTree by Hilton, Courtyard by Marriott, Fairfield Inn, and Hampton Inn.

BEST RESTAURANTS FOR GROUPS

Lassen Steakhouse
Established in 1928, the historic Lassen Steakhouse in the Shasta Cascade region offers your group a traditional steakhouse with a modern approach to sourcing locally and mixing up the best craft cocktails in the area. 

Alvarado on Main
Bring the art deco vibe of the 1930s and the latest local craft beers to your group by dining at Alvarado on Main in Salinas. Pair a lager, pilsner or pale ale with the gastropub cuisine. A private upper mezzanine dining room is available for larger groups. 

Luna Red
What’s better for a group dinner than a great ambience, shared plates and cocktails using ingredients sourced from local farmers? That’s exactly what you’ll find at San Luis Obispo’s Luna Red. The vibrant eatery is next to the Mission de Tolosa in downtown SLO and serves up award-winning tapas and paella. 

Descanso Restaurant
Blending the flavours of central Mexican street cuisine, the energy and music of a lively Mexican town, Descanso Restaurant in Costa Mesa delivers an elevated fun night and south of the border experience to your group. The made-to-order cuisine is prepared on a traditional Plancha.

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