About Sonoma
Sonoma is a city in California that is most famous for its wine. This town is known as the actual birthplace of California wine, and here you can find the oldest winery in the whole state; the Buena Vista Winery. Sonoma also holds the title for most American Viticultural Areas in the region with 18 in total. In this city alone you can find more than 60 different varieties of grape, including Merlot, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir just to name a few.
The city’s main sources of income include tourism and the exportation of wine. There are 62,000 acres of vineyards in Sonoma, which bring in an estimated $1.2 billion yearly in tourism and even more in wine sales. But there is lots to do in this city other than touring vineyards. If you aren’t into wine, Sonoma also offers great beer and cider, and you can participate in some fun outdoor activities like golfing, kayaking or hiking in the beautiful natural landscapes.
With all there is to see and do, a Sonoma meeting space is a great idea!
Meeting Options in Sonoma
Meeting spaces are typically used as gathering spots for people in a group. Here you can make decisions and discuss priorities. If you are planning to meet in Sonoma, there are lots of great venues but there are also some things that you will need to plan before your gathering.
- Food
Depending on what time you are meeting or how long the gathering will last, you may need to feed your team. It could be nice to hire a professional catering company to supply snacks for your meeting space in Sonoma.
- Equipment
To direct your meeting in an efficient way, you may need some supplies or equipment. Consider buying some pens and paper or supply laptops for your group to take notes, or rent a projector and speakers from an audio and visual company.
- Transportation
When deciding on your meeting space in Sonoma, you’ll want to have a venue that is accessible to all. Providing transportation is always a perk to ensure timely attendance.
Meeting Companies in Sonoma
It may seem like there is a lot to do to prepare for a meeting space in Sonoma, but luckily there are professional companies located nearby that can help you out.
- Mary’s Pizza Shack
There are lots of catering companies that can be found in Sonoma. You can choose to order from a gourmet catering company, or a family-owned restaurant like Mary’s Pizza Shack. They offer pizza delivery as well as catering and party trays. Made from scratch fare and trusted recipes ensure delicious food.
- The Rental Space
If you are looking to rent equipment for your meeting space in Sonoma, take a look at The Rental Space. This company offers rentals for almost anything, including some devices that could be suited for a meeting space like projectors, podiums and speakers.
- Bright Event Rentals
Bright Event Rentals is a company located in Sonoma that offers rentals for all sorts of events. Their catalog includes chairs, tables, tabletop decorations as well as lighting fixtures and other appliances. You can definitely find all that you need to decorate the perfect Sonoma meeting space here. Events and meetings of any size can be accommodated.
Pros and Cons of Meetings in Sonoma
Sonoma is a lovely place to travel to and host events. However, as with any location, there will be some advantages and disadvantages. Here are some points that you may not have considered about Sonoma.
Advantages
- High quality of life
Although Sonoma, along with most of California’s other counties, can be a bit expensive to travel to, you'll get what you pay for. The quality of life in Sonoma is said to be amazing; from the beautiful scenery, well-kept neighborhoods and variety of activities to attend, you’ll enjoy every moment in this city.
- The alcohol
Of course, one of the advantages of visiting Sonoma is having the opportunity to try the spectacular beer and wine made here. If you are traveling to this city and enjoy tasting different alcohols, this is definitely a plus. It’s the perfect after-meeting outing.
- Favorable weather
As with most cities in California, Sonoma experiences fairly nice weather throughout most of the year, with the exception of some very hot summer days. This means that you will be able to participate in outdoor activities during the meeting, such as team-building exercises.
Disadvantages
- Traffic
The traffic in Sonoma is said to be congested if tackled by car and quite crowded if you are taking public transit. This shouldn’t be too much of an issue for your meeting space in Sonoma, but you should take it into consideration if you are planning to be moving around the city a lot.
- High cost of living
Although Sonoma is a city with a cost of living ranked on the lower side of the National California average, it can still be very expensive. Compared to other cities in the state, it costs less for groceries, transportation and utilities in Sonoma, but keep in mind that you will have to budget for a California venue.
- Overpopulation
California has a reputation for being a great place to live, and this has attracted lots of inhabitants as well as tourists. Because of this, many cities can feel a bit crowded. Namely more popular California cities like LA and San Francisco are the most overpopulated, but Sonoma can be busy too.
Famous Locations in Sonoma
- The Buena Vista Winery
This famous winery is the oldest in California, having been established in 1857. You have the opportunity to taste the wine while you visit the Buena Vista Winery, which is still manufacturing alcohol today. Take a tour of this landmark, or book a nearby winery house and tasting room in Sonoma for your meeting space.
- Sonoma Plaza
This old Spanish mission village, which is considered a National Historic Monument, is found in the town’s center and is lined with over 100 different shops and restaurants. The site also offers a playground for kids to enjoy while parents are window shopping or sipping on wine in one of the location’s 20 tasting rooms.
- Sonoma Coast State Park
The Sonoma Coast State Park is a 20-mile long area located off the coast of the Pacific Ocean. Here you can experience many beautiful views of the ocean, from the sandy beach to the rough coastline. Swimming is not recommended here due to the strong waters, but there is still lots to do like walking along the beach, searching for shells or wandering through the trails found around the park.
