Unique, Unconventional & Unheard Of: Why Rancho Cordova Should Be Your Next Meeting Destination

Northern California is a popular destination for meetings of all sizes. The breathtaking cliffs and majestic redwoods near the coast offer spectacular sights, the salty breeze of the Bay entices the senses, and the rolling vineyards of Napa and Sonoma Counties provide a gorgeous backdrop for group gatherings. A little further inland, the Gold Country region is home to mazes of sparkling waterways and the sweeping landscapes of the Sierra foothills, boasting more affordable accommodations without sacrificing any of the rich beauty that has come to be known as California's best selling point.

That's precisely what makes Rancho Cordova a great place for teambuilding events and retreat-style meetings and one of NorCal's best-kept secrets.

Located in the epicenter of Gold Country, Rancho Cordova is close to, well, everything. Its proximity to California's capitol, easy access to award-winning mountain wineries, and day-trip distance from Lake Tahoe delights travelers from all over the world. The city's hotels ranging from economical extended stays to four-star lodging are great for events of any length, giving you the most bang for your buck at the center of the action.

But the city of Rancho Cordova itself is home to amazing attractions, too, and you don't have to travel very far from your hotel to find unique activities for your group.

Curious and captivating Rancho Cordova regional events that draw large crowds every year include the California Mermaid Convention, the largest mermaid con on the West Coast, the Hangtown Motocross Classic held at Prairie City OHV Park, and the California Capital Airshow, one of the top five airshows in North America.

The city itself is incredibly diverse. With over 90 languages and 100 dialects spoken here, Rancho Cordova is a hotspot for cultural community events like May's International Festival & Wines of the World and international flavors to satisfy every palate.

Visitors love to browse the aisles of KP International Market to find snacks and foods from around the world, sample delicious lumpia at Fiesta Philippines, and enjoy all-you-can-eat hotpot at Oz Korean BBQ. A mouthwatering brunch at The Mimosa House or afternoon pick-me-up at Famous Burgers & Brew makes the tastebuds sing.

Your group can wind down (or get the real party started) with craft brews and spirits in the award-winning Rancho Cordova Barrel District. This collection of 10 establishments is home to incredible beers, wines, mead, cocktails, hard kombucha, and alcohol-free sips. Many locations partner with local food trucks and others like J.J. Pfister Distilling Co. or Drink Eezy offer tasty bites and event space.

Retreat-style meetings in Rancho Cordova are a real treat. We like to say that we're "outsidey" instead of "outdoorsy," because our natural environment is friendly to adventurers of all experience levels, not just the elite few. Here, everyone can enjoy the great outdoors at their own pace.

With our close access to The American River and Lake Natoma and our year-round temperate weather, our watersport activities draw people from all over the region. Sacramento State Aquatic Center is one of our top recommendations for meetings hosted in the summer months because they offer a variety of rentals (stand up paddleboards, kayaks, windsurfers, boats... and more!), group classes, and a WET Obstacle Course for team-building PLUS rentable event space that overlooks the water.

Shadow Glen Family Stables provides horseback lessons and group rides around the scenic landscape of Rancho Cordova. The American River Parkway offers miles of gorgeous walking trails as well as group volunteer opportunities to enhance and protect the natural environment. Soil Born Farms Urban Agriculture & Education Project is a great place to take a cooking class, learn about nature, do some yoga, or host an outdoor meeting session.

If you want to take your fun indoors, you'll find activities like axe-throwing at The Smart Axe, rock climbing at Granite Arch Climbing Center, art classes at Heart Craft Studio, or free exhibits at The Mills Station Arts & Cultural Center (The MACC).

Visit Rancho Cordova hosts FAMiliarization Trips & Focus Groups for meeting planners a few times per year. We'd love to welcome you to our city, put you up in a great hotel, and show you what makes Rancho Cordova so special! You'll experience a range of attractions, venues, and restaurants and mingle with hoteliers.

After spending a few days together, we want to hear what you think of our city. Our sales team, Maggie and Lisa, will say goodbye and you'll participate in a private focus group led by a non-biased third party to share your thoughts on the experience. This helps us grow as a team and improve our destination for other planners.

To learn more and apply for our next trip, read about our FAMbassador program here.

Not ready to take the leap just yet? Sign up for our Meeting Planner newsletter to be one of the first to know more about upcoming trips, Rancho Cordova updates, and news from our Director of Sales, Maggie Thyken Huss.