Santa Anita Park

626-574-6400 | santaanita.com/events ome to some of the most prominent horse racing events in the United States, Santa Anita Park is a historic and storied venue—most known for its thoroughbred racetrack—in Arcadia, California. The massive 320-acre property showcases stunning views of the San Gabriel Mountains and is within convenient driving distance of all major Los Angeles area airports.

With many venue options, classic art deco architecture, and a responsive and dedicated event staff, Santa Anita Park is the perfect place for events of all varieties. The track boasts 1 million square feet of flexible indoor-outdoor space for meetings, social events, corporate events, filming, and special events—capable of accommodating groups of up to 10,000. Three options for on-site dining add to the limitless convenience Santa Anita Park has to offer. The FrontRunner, a full-service restaurant, overlooks the racetrack. Silks combines formal with casual, allowing guests to watch the races from a reserved table. Lastly, Clockers’ Corner lies on the far western side of the grandstand, acting as the perfect place to enjoy dining. The numerous venue, entertainment, and dining options make Santa Anita Park the prime location for hosting events in Southern California.

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The Wonders Of The Southland

In the heart of downtown Los Angeles is the El Pueblo de Los Ángeles Historical Monument, commonly referred to as “The Birthplace of Los Angeles.” The original name of Los Angeles was El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de Los Ángeles de Porciúncula, which translates to “The Town of Our Lady the Queen Angels of Porciúncula,” and El Pueblo is the site where the first Native American, African, and European settlers arrived in the area.

Just a 15-minute walk away from El Pueblo is the Conrad Los Angeles, a 305-room property that opened last July. Home to two ballrooms, several terraces, penthouse suites, views of the Walt Disney Concert Hall across the street, an on-site spa, and two culinary options, the Conrad creates an elegant and memorable venue for groups and events. Agua Viva, the outdoor restaurant, has a seasonal menu and flexibility for groups as large as 650. “When you walk out [there], it’s this beautiful wooden-beam structure that completely transforms in the evening [to] where you can see the stars, take in the beautiful sights and sounds—[it’s] great for group events,” says Stephanie Leavitt, director of sales and marketing for the hotel.

Farther inland, Joshua Tree National Park is near several hotels and venues for groups in the Greater Palm Springs area. The new Acrisure Arena opened last December and offers 11,000 seats, and the Palm Springs Convention Center has 245,000 square feet of space. The Renaissance Esmerelda Resort & Spa, Indian Wells, provides 560 renovated guest rooms—all of which have a balcony— alongside 213,000 square feet of flexible space for events and an on-site spa, fitness center, pool, and six dining options.

At just 35 miles from the national park, the resort makes adding a trip to Joshua Tree easy. “Joshua Tree is where two deserts meet—the Mojave and the Colorado,” explains Jacob Kendrick, director of sales and marketing for the resort. “It’s truly the unique landscape and the flora and fauna that make it a really special location.”

Kendrick encourages groups to experience the evening and nighttime stargazing tours because Joshua Tree is an internationally recognized dark sky park. “You’re going to see constellations, star clusters, and even our nearest galaxies,” he explains. “The skies here in the valley are truly something that you can’t miss.” elpueblo.lacity.gov evergreenlodge.com hilton.com marriott.com nps.gov presidio.gov presidiolodging.com visitgreaterpalmsprings.com visitvisalia.com

It’s clear to see the abundance of nature and history offered by these sites across California, and a visit to any one of them in between meetings is sure to leave attendees with a yearning to return.