Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1436811
YEAR ROUND BEAUTIFUL WEATHER MAKES MEETING IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA A SNAP! BY CLETUS RAMSEY Northern California contains Redwood Forests, along with the Sierra Nevada including Yosemite Valley and part of Lake Tahoe, Mount Shasta and the northern portion of the Central Valley . Comprised of destina- tions like Oakland, Sacramento, and San Francisco just to name a few, con- ference attendees are sure to have an amazing time both in the city and in the rural areas of this gorgeous region. Planners have an abundant choice of venues favoring meetings and events of all sizes and themes. • • OAKLAND • • Located in the heart of downtown Oakland, the Oakland Convention Center is just minutes from San Francisco. Featuring 100,566 sq. ft. of total meeting space, the facility is connected to the Oakland Marriott City Center, offering an additional 33,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space and 500 deluxe guest rooms. The Oakland Convention Center is a world-class exhibition hall within walking distance of Jack London Square, Chinatown, Oakland Museum of California, Preservation Park and Oakland City Center. The venue is also surrounded by beautifully restored Victorian buildings and the finest shops, restaurants, art galleries and museums that this exciting city has to offer. Lake Merritt is known as the jewel of Oakland. Want to feel the vibe of Oakland? Hit up the Grand Lake Farmers market and hang by the lake on a Sunday afternoon. You'll see a real mix of Oaklanders, from joggers, bikers, picnickers, paddleboaters and the brunch crowd soaking up the sun. While in Oakland be sure to have conference attendees explore the African-American sites and cultural cen- ters that tell a story of Oakland's rich history. The African American Museum and Library at Oakland is a museum and non-circulating library dedicated to pre- serving the history and experiences of African-Americans in Northern Calif- ornia and the Bay Area. Looking for something to do when the work day is done? From neighbor- hood food tastings and retro cocktail tours to urban winery bike rides and guided history walks, tours will let visi- tors in on the best of Oakland. Segway around Lake Merritt, tour the USS Potomac, or visit the Mountain View Cemetery, designed by famed architect Frederick Law Olmsted. Like every- thing else in Oakland, the tours are never ordinary and always unexpected. The Oakland International Airport (OAK) is the second largest airport in the San Francisco Bay Area, offering over 300 daily passenger and cargo flights. • • SACRAMENTO • • Sacramento is the star on the map of California – where you will find cul- tural attractions to inspire you, cut- ting-edge cuisine to impress you, his- tory to enrich you and surprises to put a smile on your face. Venture out in any direction and you'll see why locals are so fond of saying, "California begins here." The city's facilities, venues, hotels and restaurants, and unsurpassed con- venience all mingle side by side to deliv- er a truly unique meeting experience. Sacramento's downtown SAFE Credit Union Convention Center reopened in the spring of 2021 after a stunning renovation and expansion. The new Convention Center offers 240,000 sq. ft. of meetings and event space, along with a new outdoor activities plaza to take full advantage of Sacramento's ideal climate. You'll find 2,000 hotel rooms within walking distance of the Convention Center, and 2,000 more within just 3 miles. Sacramento International Airport, located just 15 minutes from down- town, offers direct or convenient con- necting flights to more than 50 cities. WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Visit Sacramento – (800) 292-2334 http://www.visitsacramento.com Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce (916) 231-0416 https://sacblackchamber.org/contact-us/ B M & T ••• November/December 2021 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 46 AREA GUIDES N O R T H E R N C A L I F O R N I A Oakland Convention Center • • • STATS • • • HOTEL ROOMS Oakland Marriott City Center 500 Hilton Oakland Airport 363 Holiday Inn & Suites Oakland Airport 145 Days Inn Hotel by Wyndham Oakland Airport Coliseum 140 Ramada by Wyndham 64 EXHIBITION FACILITIES Oakland Convention Center Total Exhibit Space 100,566. sq. ft.. Meeting Rooms 37 WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Visit Oakland – (510) 839-9000 www.visitoakland.org Oakland African American Chamber https://oaacc.org/contact-us/ (510) 268-1600 Photo Credit: Oakland CVB