Murrieta, California at a Glance
Location: Situated between Los Angeles and San Diego
Access: Carlsbad Airport, Santa Ana Airport, Ontario/San Bernardino airports, San Diego or Los Angeles International airports; Interstate 215, State Route 15
Major Meeting Spaces: Holiday Inn Express and Suites, Residence Inn by Marriott, Courtyard by Marriott and Murrieta Community Center, Old Town Meeting Room
Hotel Rooms: 560
Off-Site Venues: Europa Village Wine Resort, Robert Renzoni Vineyards, 8 Bit Brewing Company, Backyard Bottleshop and Taproom, Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve
Contact Info:
Explore Murrieta
951-677-7916
exploremurrieta.com
With 250 days of sunshine, a thriving winery scene and plentiful outdoor opportunities, Murrieta is Southern California’s playground.
Tucked between San Diego and Los Angeles in California’s Temecula Valley, Murrieta is an ideal location for groups looking for affordable meeting options. Murrieta boasts 250 days of sunshine a year, is surrounded by wine country and stunning natural landscapes, and is easily accessed by three regional and two international airports, and via Interstate 214 or State Route 15.
“We have a lot of options in Murrieta and the surrounding areas,” said Patrick Ellis, president and CEO of Explore Murrieta. “We’re a great fit for groups looking for the same amenities you’d get in a city. We have world-class beer, wine, and outdoor recreation, and we offer this for an affordable rate. We’re very creative in finding opportunities where groups can use venues you wouldn’t normally think of.”
Murrieta’s hotels and resorts offer space designed to accommodate meeting groups, from reliable standbys like Holiday Inn Express and Suites, Residence Inn by Marriott and Courtyard by Marriott to all-encompassing resorts that have on-site meeting spaces and activities. The city also recently invested $3 million in Town Square Park, which offers a stage with A/V capacity, and Heritage Hill, a local venue with panoramic views. Additionally, the Murrieta Hot Springs Resort, a favorite of starlets in Hollywood’s golden age, recently changed ownership and is getting a facelift — including meeting spaces.
There’s no shortage of things to engage attendees in Murrieta. Historic Old Town is host to community events from concerts to car shows.
The area is also popular with outdoor lovers. Hikers of any skill level can find something to suit their fancy, from Tenaja Falls to the challenging Cole Canyon Trail. Murrieta is a hotspot for some of the region’s most scenic and varied mountain biking — Engelmann Oak Loop Trail is known for its breathtaking views, while La Alba offers single and double tracks.
“The Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve has something for everyone,” said Ellis. “Once you’re up there, you feel like you’re completely away from civilization. We’ve started to become a foodie destination, too. We’ve always been a destination for wineries and breweries, but in the past five years, we’ve seen Murrieta creating new opportunities especially for those who want to incorporate food experiences in their meetings.”
Groups can whet their whistles at any of the area’s wineries or breweries. Wineries like Wilson Creek Winery, Vitagliano Vineyards and Winery, and Robert Renzoni Winery each offer diverse experiences. Local breweries like Inland Wharf Brewing Co. and 8 Bit Brewing Company offer games, recreation spaces and, of course, good beer.
Murrieta Community Center
Boasting a 3,600-square-foot multipurpose room, a kitchen, theatrical stage and space for 250, the Murrieta Community Center is a favorite local gathering place. In addition to the variety of rooms to rent, it offers athletic facilities, picnic areas and recreation space. The property is also home to the Murrieta Museum: A Center for Culture and History, housed in a historic farmhouse, the Hunt House. In addition to its exhibits about the area, its spaces are available for events, classes and group rentals.
South Coast Winery Resort and Spa
Twelve miles from downtown Murrieta, South Coast Winery Resort and Spa is situated on 63 acres of rolling hills covered in lush vineyards. It offers more than 30,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space, including a 7,025-square-foot ballroom and an outdoor amphitheater. There are more than a dozen meeting rooms with unique configurations and varied capacities. Many have unique features, like being in the barrel room of a wine cave or on a spacious garden patio. In addition, they offer wine tastings; an in-house restaurant, the Vineyard Rose; and a world-class spa.
Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve
Just minutes from Murrieta, the 7,500-acre Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve is a nature lover’s haven full of undisturbed oak woodland, chaparral, vernal pools, native grassland and historic adobe structures. It is home to a range of unique flora and fauna and makes a great destination for team building or as an after-hours option. With its miles of trails, the reserve is a popular destination for both hikers and cyclists (and includes options for road and mountain biking alike). Other activities include interpretive exhibits at the visitor center, horseback riding and guided hikes led by a naturalist.
Old Town Meeting Room and Coworking Connection
Murrieta has two unique coworking concepts. At Old Town Meeting Room, two spaces can accommodate four or 16, including a whiteboard and A/V equipment, an all-access kitchen in a historic building. At Coworking Connection, the fully equipped conference room accommodates up to six, while the training room seats up to 45. The space includes a full kitchen and a lounge area. These coworking spaces can be used for networking, workshops, training, or collaborative work days.
