Sonoma County, CA

Key Highlights

Hotels 14
Total Sleeping Rooms 3,500
Committable Sleeping Rooms* 250
Committable Meeting Rooms* 15
Largest Exhibit Space 9,000 Sq. Ft.
Largest Ballroom 7,000 Sq. Ft.
Average Hotel Room Rate USD $77
Average Daily Meal Cost USD $46
Average Weekly Car Rental USD $199
*Maximum for a single hotel
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Sonoma County, CA Meeting Planning Overview

Meeting and event planning in Sonoma County offers a lot of excitement and enjoyment of the California way of life. The 1,575-square-mile region, located just 30 miles north of San Francisco, sits on the northern coast of the state as the southwestern county of California's wine country region. True to California wine country culture, Sonoma County venues are bursting with fine wines, fine dining, relaxing attractions and eco-adventures, in addition to stunning scenery and fantastic weather. Much like the region's perfect wine blends, Sonoma County itself is an unmatched blend of sophistication and laid-back relaxation. Sonoma County is the ideal destination for meeting planners looking for unique and memorable venues, as the many unique venues offer fantastic opportunities for private events and group outings. With more than 65,000 acres of vineyards and 300 wineries, Sonoma County is home to a number of wine-minded unique venues, with others ranging from historic estates to a wildlife preserve.

Travelers can arrive in Sonoma County via easy access from the San Francisco, Oakland and Sacramento International Airports. Santa Rosa's Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport features direct daily flights via Horizon Air to and from Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Portland and Seattle.

Sonoma County enjoys a Mediterranean-like climate, making the area the ideal year-round destination for conferences, meetings and leisure. Thanks to its temperate climate and diverse landscape and coastline, much of Sonoma County's economy is centered on agricultural industries. The region's other economical strengths include high-tech telecommunications and service industries, as well as hospitality services, thanks to its reputation as a respected tourism location.

When it comes time to relax and unwind, groups can business travelers can choose from more than 40 unique spas, as well as 20 challenging golf courses open to the public. Travelers can explore more than 55 miles of coastline along the Pacific Ocean, as well as the greater San Francisco Bay, as well as hike a 1,000-year-old redwood grove and kayak one of three rivers. What's more, many of Sonoma County's award-winning wineries are open for tours and tastings without having to make an appointment. With so many unique recreational opportunities available, visitors may find themselves becoming "Sonomads," or people prone to wander around Sonoma County in search of new adventures. Thanks to this destination's variety of opportunities for both business and leisure, there's no question that there will always be more Sonoma County adventures for any group.

About Sonoma County, CA / Additional Info

From its charming small towns to its towering ancient redwoods, Sonoma County measures up as one of California's most-loved business and tourist destinations. Nestled less than an hour outside of San Francisco, Sonoma County is home to vibrant downtowns, serene coastline parks and everything in between.

Sonoma County stretches from the Pacific coast, with 76 miles of coastline, to the Mayacamas Mountains, with almost 65,000 acres of vineyards and endless opportunities for recreation and relaxation. One of the region's most celebrated recreational sites, the 700-acre Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, preserves the beautiful Sequoia sempervirens, or coastal redwood. Visitors to the reserve can walk amongst the towering redwoods, with the tallest resident tree measuring 310 feet tall and the oldest tree at 1,400 years of age, as well as explore the visitor center and gather at its picnic facilities. Sonoma Canopy Tours gives guests panoramic views of the trees via a unique canopy course of seven ziplines, two skybridges, unique spiral staircase and 80-foot rappel.

Visitors to Sonoma County can be transported to the African landscape when visiting the Safari West Wildlife Preserve. The preserve welcomes more than 60,000 visitors each year for safari truck tours, private animal encounters, educational presentations and even overnight stays in comfortable tent cabins. Visitors can view more than 400 exotic mammals, including zebras, giraffes and cheetahs; as well as reconnect with nature in the preserve's peaceful setting. Finally, no visit to Sonoma County is complete without a visit to the fun, whimsical Charles M. Schulz Museum, which preserves, displays and interprets the art of internationally renowned cartoonist Charles M. Schulz and his beloved Peanuts characters. Schulz called Sonoma County home for more than 40 years; the museum showcases his original strips and memorabilia and celebrates Schulz's career and influence on the comic strip genre.

A celebrated culinary scene, featuring award-winning restaurants recognized for their wine country cuisine, complements Sonoma County's wine culture. Sonoma County is home to more than 500 restaurants, which range from Michelin- and Zagat-rated establishments to casual wine country eateries serving freshly-harvested, locally-grown produce. Housed in Santa Rosa's Vintners Inn, John Ash & Co. Restaurant specializes in local seasonal fare paired with wine; the restaurant works with more than 30 Sonoma County farmers and producers, as well as its own gardens to create its innovative menu. Located in the Russian River resort region, the Farmhouse Inn focuses on organic and sustainably-farmed ingredients in its daily-changing menu. For a casual, relaxed dining experience, head to Tides Wharf Restaurant in Bodega Bay. Tides Wharf was made famous in the early 1960s as a backdrop for scenes in Hitchcock's film The Birds, but this restaurant's delicious seafood, steaks and pasta make this coastal eatery a fun stop for groups.

 
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