Unexpected Joy in Oakland

As a person who attends 10-12 conferences and events a year I will be the first to say, no one wants to spend three straight days moving from ballroom to ballroom, fueled entirely by coffee and conference snacks.

Today's attendees are truly looking for more. They want unique, meaningful, and lasting experiences. The ones they tell their colleagues and friends back home about. They want opportunities to connect, and moments that allow them to recharge. That's why wellness has become one of the fastest growing trends in meetings and events and do not plan yours without it.

Studies show incorporating wellness activities into conferences and events improve focus, increase productivity, reduce stress, enhance networking opportunities. It even improves information retention and attendees who feel better perform better.

When it comes to Oakland, it doesn't require a spa robe or a green juice. Here, wellness is woven into our daily culture, the community, and the landscape itself.

Here are my top three local ways to bring wellness into your next Oakland event.

Keep It Moving: Pickle Athletics

If pickleball isn't already part of your event agenda, add it, now is the time!

Pickle Athletics is Oakland's premier indoor social club, where fitness and connection come together under one roof. With four indoor courts, a fitness studio, sauna, lounge, kitchen, and wine bar, it's designed for groups looking to step away from traditional networking and create authentic connections through shared experiences.

Whether your attendees are seasoned players like my mother,  or first-timers, Pickle Athletics offers classes and court reservations for every skill level. Sessions are capped at eight people per court, creating an intimate environment where conversations happen naturally and relationships develop organically.

And that sauna experience, EPIC. After a long day of meetings, presentations, and networking, it's exactly the kind of reset attendees didn't know they needed.

At Pickle Athletics, games become gatherings. This is wellness that works double duty supporting both physical activity and social connection.

The Nature Fix: Redwood Regional Park

Just minutes from both downtown Oakland or the airport district, Redwood Regional Park feels like an entirely different world.

Spanning more than 1,800 acres of towering redwoods, the park offers your attendees an opportunity to disconnect from screens and reconnect with themselves, their colleagues, and nature.

Whether your group opts for a 30-minute walk between sessions or a three hour hike, the benefits are undeniable. Fresh air, stunning scenery and multiple trails to choose from, time spent outdoors has been linked to reduced stress, increased creativity, improved concentration, and enhanced mental well-being.

The beauty of Redwood Regional Park is that everyone can participate at their own pace. Some attendees may be looking for an invigorating hike, while others simply want a quiet moment beneath the canopy of ancient trees. It is dog friendly, kid friendly and on any given day you see people of all ages enjoying. 

It is important to note that service on the trails is limited so staying together as a group or preordering Ubers before you start is recommended but there is wifi available closer to the entrance by the parks office. Parking is available at the park in multiple locations.

This is one of Oakland's best-kept treasures and one of the most impactful wellness experiences you can offer.

Wellness Through Community: Lake Merritt

If you’ve ever read the book, the giving tree, Lake Merritt embodies the tree that gives you everything you need at every stage of life! From Childhood to adulthood Lake Merritt continues to serve me and my family  in multiple ways. If you ask an Oaklander, they’ll tell you , everything in the town starts and ends at the lake.

Known as the Jewel of Oakland, Lake Merritt is much more than a scenic destination. As an Oaklander I can tell you, there’s nothing like the sun glistening across the lake at sunset or the signature string lights that add so much charm. But I can also say the lake where the city's energy, diversity, and sense of community come to life.

Lake Merritt isoffers something for everyone. It's a place where attendees can move their bodies, clear their minds, and experience Oakland the way locals do.On any given day you'll find people walking, running, biking, roller skating, rowing, practicing Tai Chi, dancing, picnicking, and simply enjoying the outdoors. The lake's 3-plus-mile pathway creates the perfect setting for walks, runs, networking meetups, team-building activities, or simply an opportunity to stretch your legs between sessions.

Surrounding landmarks like the Terrace Room, Grand Lake Theatre, Henry J. Kaiser Center, Children's Fairyland, and numerous restaurants and cafés make it easy to build wellness experiences directly into your event itinerary. 

The result isn't just healthier attendees, it's more engaged attendees.

These are just a few of the many ways Oakland helps our visitors recharge, reconnect, and return to the meeting room energized and inspired.

When people feel their best, they engage more deeply, network more authentically, and leave with memories that last long after the event ends.

We’d love for you to enjoy it for yourself and see the kind of experience Oakland delivers.