Orange County

Attention All Foodies! The ACCESS Orange County team is pleased to offer up some gastronomically satisfying new programs combining the best of foods and wines at a spectacular facility featuring private event space, beautiful grounds, a wine-tasting cafe, a celebrated Chef (once Robert Mondavi's personal chef) and a powerful and diverse portfolio of wines from Constellation Wines U.S., the largest wine company in the United States.

Formerly the Robert Mondavi Wine and Food Center, this "new" event center, with its sophisticated yet casual "wine country" feel and newly remodeled state-of-the-art demo kitchen, is the perfect venue for guests to savor their culinary creations while sipping expertly paired wine selections. The ambiance is delightful as well featuring local artists' works including sculptures, canvas paintings and dimensional works of art.

The facility lends itself to a variety of group uses - from product launches to teambuilding events with local organically grown fruits and vegetables, to wine-tastings and pairings, hands-on or demonstration-style cooking classes, to 5-course wine pairing dinners and even concerts in the park. Talk to the ACCESS Orange County team about creating a cooking for causes CSR event to round out your conference itinerary and support your corporate social responsibility goals.

Ask about classes on effortless entertaining or hosting the perfect cocktail party through creative use of finger foods or by incorporating unique spins on old favorites, such as Chef Paul Squicciarini's alternative-meat burgers which are paired with complementing dressings, side dishes and wines. (See this month's "Spice it Up" recipe.)

The possibilities are endless and the DMC team at ACCESS Orange County looks forward to designing tastebud-tempting events for you at this multi-purpose facility when your meeting, conference or incentive travel plans focus on Orange County as your destination of choice.

San Diego

Endless Possibilities for an Endless Summer! Around the country the air is turning crisp and the leaves are beginning to display their majestic gold and auburn hues, but in sunny San Diego your guests can still savor the staying power of summer in this coastal paradise where summertime is endless.

Perpetual summertime provides many possibilities for fun-in-the-sun water activities. Explore miles of coastline with more water recreation options than you can imagine. From pleasure sailing to private yacht cruises, to kayaking, surfing and sportfishing, San Diego has it all; the hardest part is selecting from among the many options. Let the team at ACCESS San Diego help you with your choices to design the perfect water adventures for your next meeting, conference or incentive travel program. We are your local experts for developing creative itineraries for your destination management programs.

Here in San Diego you have the rare opportunity for a true America's Cup experience which can be offered in a variety of ways. Configurations can include the schooner America, a replica of the original America (USA1), as the proud spectator vessel in a hands-on regatta of 6-passenger sailing yachts, or combine America with the modern America's Cup racing vessels, Stars & Stripes (USA34) and Abracadabra (USA54) for an America's Cup Sailing Regatta for 100+ passengers, complete with historic Cup trivia teasers. Or...perhaps a relaxing flotilla with the three USA vessels gracefully cruising the sights and sounds of San Diego's "Big Bay" is more to your liking.

Over on San Diego's sparkling Mission Bay, water sport activities abound including boating, jet skiing, catamaran sailing, windsurfing, wakeboarding and much more. Guests can try their hand at surfing at one of several beachfront locations in San Diego where they can experience the crystalline waters of the Pacific Ocean for the "real deal" or they can take on the Bruticus Maximus - San Diego's very own endless wave, the 10-foot FlowBarrel, located in historic Belmont Park in nearby Mission Beach.

Another San Diego favorite is sea kayaking at La Jolla Cove where guests will learn basic kayak seamanship and safety and perfect their paddle strokes while viewing the open waters from a whole new perspective. Or...equip your guests with some "fish stories" to take home with them as they experience one of the year-round San Diego fishing charters while taking in the scenic shoreline views from the deck of top-of-the-line fishing vessels.

For an unforgettable group experience on one of San Diego's best known beaches, a Beach Bash or a California Clambake on the wide, sandy beach at the world-renowned Hotel Del Coronado can't be beat with brightly decorated food stations, fire pits, sand castles, a variety of interactive games and entertainment and, for the grand finale to an evening event, your very own custom fireworks display to light up the nighttime skies!

Not enough time to explore it all? Allow our sales team to assist you in the smart selection of your recreational events and water activities based on your time frames and guest demographics. We can provide activities for those desiring single component water activities or we can "mix it up" for you with some creative combinations. Either way, the DMC team at ACCESS San Diego will provide the local expertise to create a dynamic program of events for your endless summer in San Diego!

Spice it up with ACCESS

Ahi Tunaburger with Wasabi Oil and Cucumber Salad
Enjoy this recipe from Chef Paul Squicciarini of the Orange County Wine and Food Center.

Serves 4

Ingredients:

For tuna burger:
- 1-1/2 pounds fresh ahi tuna
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
- 2 teaspoons scallions, finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For wasabi oil:
- 1 tablespoon prepared wasabi (powdered wasabi with water added)
- 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 egg yolk
- 3/4 cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For cucumber salad:
- 1 Hothouse cucumber, peeled, seeded and sliced thinly
- 1/2 cup seasoned rice vinegar
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 cups Napa cabbage, shredded
- 4 sesame seed buns

Directions:

1. Make the tuna burger: Coarsely chop tuna until it resembles ground meat. Place in bowl with remaining ingredients, season with salt and pepper and mix well. Divide mixture into 4 evenly shaped burgers. Wrap each in plastic and chill for 30 minutes.

2. Make the wasabi oil: Place wasabi, vinegar, egg yolk and sesame oil into a blender. With machine running slowly, drizzle in olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.

3. Make cucumber salad: Place rice vinegar and sugar in a bowl and whisk to dissolve sugar. Add cucumbers and toss well. Refrigerate for two hours. Drain. Keep chilled until ready to serve.

4. To assemble: On a lightly oiled non-stick pan or hot grill, place the tuna burgers on and cook for about 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Place cabbage in a bowl and lightly dress with wasabi oil. Assemble burgers on top of bun and dress with napa cabbage and wasabi oil. Serve with cucumber salad on the side.

Enjoy!