Rancho Cordova Meeting Planner Toolkit

Unique Venues, Curated Team Building Activities & Hidden Gems

Nestled in the heart of Gold Country, Rancho Cordova is for visionaries. Our unconventional meeting spaces and retreat-style team building activities make the perfect backdrop for ambitious associations, quirky conventions, and go-getting groups. From AI ecosystems to mermaid cosplay, we can't wait to show you what’s next for Rancho Cordova.

Learn more about our Incentive Program
About Rancho Cordova
Planner Guides
Food & Drink
Submit RFP
Planning Resources
Services & Incentives
FAM Trips

Why Choose Rancho Cordova?

Rancho Cordova is a hidden gem located in Northern California, just 25 miles east from Sacramento International Airport. Enjoy small-town charm and premier access to outdoor landscapes without the high markups of more crowded destinations when you bring your event here.

Rancho Cordova is the best fit for small to mid-sized meetings and retreat-style events. Besides traditional meeting space, Rancho Cordova offers a wide range of unique off-site venues that are mere steps away from team building activities, making it easy for your group to blend business with leisure.

Planning in Rancho Cordova means you get custom-tailored service from small teams and vendors who really care about you. We'd love to help you build your perfect event. Let’s chat!

We Boast 17 Hotels & Over 2,000 Rooms 🏨

Find the perfect economical, extended stay, or full-service lodging for your group. Looking for a pool or multi-room suites? We can help you secure that!

Access to the Freeway is Effortless 🚗

Just 15 minutes up Highway 50 from Sacramento, we're the perfect midway stop between San Francisco and South Lake Tahoe.

It's Incredibly Easy to Get Here ✈️

We're just 25 miles from Sacramento International Airport (SMF) and 90 minutes from San Francisco (SFO) and Oakland (OAK) International Airports. Even more transportation awaits!

Small Towns Have Big Perks 🌟

Enjoy ample parking (including bus parking) around town, a relaxed vibe, and inclusive hotel amenities like fitness centers and breakfast.

Our Outdoor Recreation Can't Be Beat 🌊

Premier access to the American River, affordable kayak and paddleboard rentals on Lake Natoma, beautiful trails, and a sprawling 50+ acre urban farm await your group.

We Bring International Flavor & Brews 🍜

Sample diverse cuisine and taste the world in our local restaurants, then sip your way around Rancho Cordova's Barrel District.

Sacramento International Airport Ranks High

In 2022, the Wall Street Journal named Sacramento International Airport (SMF) as the nation's best midsized airport. In 2023, SMF ranked 6th nationally for customer satisfaction in the large airport category of the annual North America Airport Satisfaction Study conducted by J.D. Power. In January 2024, AirHelp named SMF the most reliable airport in the United States, with a whopping 82.30% of flights on time.

Visitors regularly describe this airport as well-organized, efficient, and easy to navigate. Just 25 miles away from Rancho Cordova, you'll love the easy access to your favorite flights. While you're there, don't forget to snap a pic of the famous red rabbit sculpture "Leap" bounding over the Terminal B bag drop!

Nonstop Domestic Flights

Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Miami, Minneapolis, Nashville, New York, Newark, Orlando, Phoenix, Portland, Salt Lake City, Seattle, Spokane, St Louis, Tucson, Washington D.C.

Nonstop International Flights

Mexico: Guadalajara, Leon, Mexico City, Puerto Vallarta

Canada: Toronto, Vancouver

Download Our Planner Guides

Meeting Planner Guide

Finding lodging properties, meeting space, off-site venues, and team building activities for your group.

View & Download

Sports Guide

Looking for Sports Tournament planning information? Find the right resources for game day and beyond.

View & Download
Visit Rancho Cordova added validity to our very off-beat event. Partnering with a name like VRC assisted us with hotels, finding sponsors, food connections and more. We feel like doors are open for us that would not have been without the guidance of VRC.
Rachel Smith & Ashley RastadCofounders, California Mermaid Convention

Wine & Dine Your Attendees

Group-Friendly Restaurants

Find delicious, international flavors from a variety of cuisines to suit your group's eclectic tastes.

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Local Libations

Sip award-winning craft brews, spirits, hard kombucha, mead, and wine in Rancho Cordova's Barrel District.

Learn More

Wine Within 30 Minutes

Take a day trip up the freeway to find a wealth of vineyards with tasty wines and incredible views.

Learn More

Proximity to Even More Nearby Fun

Sacramento 🚗 15 Minutes

Explore the State Capitol building, attend a professional sports game, or enjoy historical group tours.

Wine Country 🚗 40 Minutes

Sample tasty flights of award-winning vino with your group in the Sierra Foothills wine region.

Apple Hill 🚗 40 Minutes

Planning an autumn event? Explore seasonal orchards, craft fairs, cider tastings, and mountain farms.

South Lake Tahoe 🚗 90 Minutes

Plan a day trip or post-event adventure to South Lake Tahoe's refreshing waters.

Event Planning Resources

Submit an RFP

Ready to book your event in Rancho Cordova? Submit an RFP today and let's get started.

Submit Now

Sign Up for the Maggie-Zine

Maggie is in her "trade show girl" era. Planners love her engaging monthly newsletter.

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Sports Tournament Planning

Looking for info about planning a sports tournament? Let's get you the right resources.

Plan a Tournament

Client Services & Custom Incentives

Our Business Development team is waiting in the wings to help enhance your event or meeting for free!

Visit Rancho Cordova event support services include: lodging solicitation, transportation solutions, venue sourcing, team building activity suggestions, itinerary ideas, group dining recommendations, site inspection facilitation, printed brochures and promotional materials, custom hotel welcomes, personalized site visits, and more!

We also offer custom incentives for new business in the Visit Rancho Cordova TBID Market. Your event may be eligible for room night rebates, planner commission subsidies, and more. Email Maggie@VisitRanchoCordova.com in advance of your event to get the conversation started.

Join a Future FAM Trip

Join us for our next FAM Trip to experience the depth and breadth of Rancho Cordova. Enjoy cozy accommodations, inclusive amenities, and quirky attractions your attendees will love. We'll take care of all the details, food, and transportation so you can focus on networking with hoteliers and having a blast!

Recent FAM Trip Activities:

  • Farm-to-fork breakfast and bird watching at Soil Born Farms 🥕
  • Soaring aerial stunts at California Capital Airshow ✈️
  • Group kayaking at Sacramento State Aquatic Center 🌊
  • Happy hour in the Rancho Cordova Barrel District 🍹
  • Horseback riding at Shadow Glen Family Stables 🐴
  • Mini trade show with hoteliers at The Mimosa House 🏨
  • Wine pairing dinner at Marriott Rancho Cordova 🍷
  • Spooky mazes at Heartstoppers Haunted House 👻
Apply for Our Next FAM

Connect With Us at a Show

Director of Business Development Maggie Thyken Huss travels to meet associates and meeting planners at a wide variety of trade shows and conferences. Will you see her at one of these upcoming 2026-2027 events?

  • 10/4-6 AW Next Wave Conference
  • 10/26-29 TEAMS Conference + Expo
  • 11/4-5 Visit California Roadshow
  • 12/15-16 Associations West Seasonal Spectacular
  • 1/13-15 California Sports Summit
  • 2/21-23 Northstar IPEC
  • 4/12-15 Sports ETA Symposium
  • 4/26-30 CA Cup Golf Invitational
  • 5/2-5 Associations West ELEVATE Annual Conference
  • 6/7-9 HelmsBriscoe ABC
Connect with Maggie on LinkedIn

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it cost to work with the Visit Rancho Cordova Business Development Team?

Nothing! Our organization is fully funded by an overnight assessment on hotel room nights and our goal is to bring visitors to Rancho Cordova and have an amazing time! We can host a site visit, help you secure commission subsidies, client rebates, hotel welcomes, curated incentives, and more! Start a conversation before submitting your RFP. Contact Maggie@VisitRanchoCordova.com to chat.

How should my attendees get to Rancho Cordova?

Our closest airport located 25 miles away is Sacramento International Airport (SMF), the #1 mid-sized airport in America! There is likely nonstop lift to an airport near you.