Visalia, CA

Key Highlights

Hotels 18
Total Sleeping Rooms 2,192
Largest Exhibit Space 114,000 Sq. Ft.
Average Hotel Room Rate USD $81
Average Daily Meal Cost USD $61
Average Weekly Car Rental USD $216

Visalia, CA Meeting Planning Overview

Nestled in the heart of California's agricultural San Joaquin Valley, Visalia is often referred to as Gateway to the Sequoias and The Jewel of the Valley. Though the city certainly does have its fair share of natural attractions and picturesque views, it is also rapidly making a name for itself as a cultural and economic hub of Central California. In fact, in 2007, Visalia was named the 3rd fastest growing city in the state and the 19th fastest growing city in the United States.

Visalia's prime location in the middle of California makes it an easily accessible destination for both air and ground travelers. Visalia Municipal Airport serves three daily flights to California's Ontario International Airport, from which guests have access to non-stop flights to 30 cities throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. Visalia is also located just 45 miles outside of the Fresno Yosemite International Airport, where eight carriers offer 42 daily departures. By car, guests find Visalia is within a 3.5-hour drive from major business centers such as Sacramento, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Visalia's convenient location has made it a premier meetings destination. The city is home to a wealth of first-class convention and meeting facilities that provide 140,000 square feet of meeting space city wide. In fact, the regions largest convention center, Visalia Convention Center, is in the heart of downtown offering 114,000 square feet of space. Additionally, Visalia is now home to the first full-service Marriott hotel in the California Central Valley. Located adjacent to the convention center, the Visalia Marriott has 195 rooms and an additional 10,000 square feet of meeting and event space. Another meetings property, the Holiday Inn Hotel & Conference Center, has 256 rooms and more than 22,000 square feet of meeting space.

The options for successful meeting locations in Visalia extend beyond the traditional. Host an event at the historic Visalia Fox Theatre, a city treasure that can seat over 1,200 people. Or, treat guests to a relaxing afternoon at the nearby Historic Seven Sycamores Ranch in Ivanhoe, perfect for corporate picnics, receptions and more. For a truly memorable group experience, plan a team building trip to the nearby Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Home to the famed giant sequoia trees, some of which are the largest in the world, the parks ranger-led walks and scenic bus tours are sure to inspire and engage attendees.

Visalia's economy and identity is built upon its agricultural strength. Located in the single most productive agricultural areas in the country, Visalia produces more than 250 different crops, notably grapes, olives, cotton and citrus. Higher learning also holds a strong presence in the area, as Visalia is home to the College of the Sequoias and San Joaquin Valley College, as well as branches for Chapman University and Fresno Pacific University.

About Visalia, CA / Additional Info

At 28.6 square miles and just over 123,500 residents, Visalia, California, is one of the most stunning destinations in the San Joaquin Valley. After all, it's located within two hours of two national parks, lays under the shadows of the tallest mountain the continental United States, is home to the world's biggest tree, and boasts more murals per square mile than Florence, Italy. And that's just the beginning of its stand-out qualities.

This thriving community takes pride in its small town charm and big city amenities, an intriguing mix that visitors can easily see just by walking the streets of downtown. Here, several modern buildings stand side by side with historic venues like the Visalia Fox Theatre. Guests can wander through Visalia's Farmers Market to enjoy the fruits of the regions agricultural wealth, including high-quality produce, gourmet cheeses, seasoned nuts and freshly-baked cookies and pastries. Guests can also enjoy fresh, locally grown ingredients at downtown restaurants such as Cafe 225 and the popular Acequia on Main.

In addition to dining on the agricultural fruits of the San Joaquin Valley, visitors to Visalia can experience them first-hand. Savor the nutty, smooth Serena cheese produced at Three Sisters Farmstead or the award-winning Silver Mountain Aged Clothbound Cheddar at Bravo Farms Cheese Factory, both of which are open to group tours. Or, taste more than five kinds of gourmet and oil-infused extra virgin olive oils at the BARI Tasting Room at Weibe Farms, located in nearby Dinuba. Guests can also enjoy the tastes and aromas of hundreds of herbs at Squaw Valley Herb Gardens. In addition to tastings and demonstrations, Squaw Valley offers tours of the history and use of these ingredients.

Of course no visit to Visalia would be complete without exploring some of the regions most notable natural attractions. The stunning Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks lie just east of Visalia in the southern Sierra Nevada mountain range. Together, these parks are home to some of the world's most captivating feats of nature. The Giant Forest contains five of the 10 largest trees in the world by wood volume, including General Sherman, the largest tree on Earth. The Redwood Mountain Grove is the largest remaining sequoia grove in the world, while Mount Whitney is the tallest mountain the lower 48 states. Whether driving through the massive fall tree known as Tunnel Log or marveling at the sparkling stalactites in Crystal Cave, the wonders of these parks are sure to delight and amaze visitors young and old.

 
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