Livermore valley AVA
san Francisco Bay Area, CA
our venue: Garré Vineyard and Winery
Surrounded by the beautiful scenery of the historic Livermore Valley Wine Country
Garré Vineyard & Winery offers the spectacular natural backdrop of panoramic views to enjoy while attending the Impact Partner Summit. It will be our homebase Tuesday and Wednesday, offering a retreat-like environment where attendees can relax, learn, and have the amazing conversations away from the day-to-day urgency of serving mission-driven organizations. It also serves as a great launch pad into all the fun of the Livermore Valley! Check out just some of the ideas below:
HOTELS IN THE Livermore VALLEY
There are several hotel options for attendees, no matter what hotel group membership you’re part of, what amenities you want, and what your budget accommodates. Here are a few ideas, but the choice is up to you!
Purple Orchid Wine Country Resort & Spa | 4 min drive | Closest to venue and a true wine country escape! Onsite Spa, Restaurant, Olive Groves, and pool.
Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Livermore Wine Country | 13 min drive | Just outside of Historic Downtown Livermore, this all-suite hotel is also walking distance to restaurants and shops. (pro-tip: try the fresh baked cinnamon roll or Ube pancakes at Denica’s Real Food Kitchen across the street!)
Residence Inn by Marriott or Homewood Suites by Hilton | 19 min drive | If you’re a Marriott or Hilton member, this is for you! These newly built hotels offer many amenities like pool, fitness center, and breakfast bar, but the biggest perk is it’s right next door to the San Francisco Premium Outlets (yes, they’re in Livermore!).
Courtyard by Marriott or Home2 Suites by Hilton | 15 min drive | 2 more Marriott and Hilton options, a bit closer to the venue.
Best Western Plus Vineyard Inn | 7 min drive | A budget-friendly option close to the event venue, with a pool and a nearby coffee shop.
FUN IN THE Livermore VALLEY
There’s so much to do in the Livermore Valley! Here’s some of our insider tips should you want to enjoy your stay even more
Hiking & Biking: Del Valle Regional Park, Sycamore Grove Regional Park, and Brushy Peak Regional Preserve are all great for hiking (be sure to pack lots of water and sun protection), or take advantage of the great biking trails and even rent an e-bike.
Wineries & Breweries: Consider this your personal invitation to explore California’s most welcoming World Class Wine Region. In Livermore Valley, it’s not unusual to find the winemaker behind the tasting room bar. That’s because we take a more personal approach to crafting wines that rank among the finest in the world. You can even hop on the Livermore Wine Trolley for a tour. And if wine’s not your fermented beverage of choice, did we mention we have a Beer Trail, too? Some of our favorite beer halls in town are Hops & Sessions (a diverse-owned self-pour tap room) and Tap 25 (an LGBTQ+ owned craft beer bar in Livermore’s historic Blacksmith Square).
Golf at Poppy Ridge Golf Course, The Course at Wente Vineyards, Las Positas Golf Course - they’re all in Livermore, and there are many more options throughout the Tri-Valley.
From Horseback Riding to Ice Skating to Go Karts Racing to Painting Parties to Tennis & Pickleball, there’s something for everyone here in the Livermore Valley and beyond.
Relax at Joya Yoga, the Spa at Purple Orchid, and LIV Beauty, offering a wide array of options to get grounded, whether you’re in the mood for yoga, massage, facials, and more.
Restaurants & Tastiness: Try Range Life (Bib Gourmand!), Sabio on Main (LGBTQ+ Owned in Pleasanton), Azotea (best view and only rooftop restaurant in town), and for bites Wingen Bakery, Cheese Parlor, Cured Fish Bar.
You can also find incredible coffee at Rosetta Roasting or Story Coffee, and frozen treats at Ululani's Hawaiian Shave Ice, Somi Somi or Meadowlark Dairy, and boba tea at Li Cha Tea/T4 Livermore, TeaZenTea, or Honey Tea.
Special Events Happening AROUND THE SUMMIT
Come a little early, stay a little late, and enjoy some very special events happening in conjunction with the Impact Partner Summit
Livermore Valley Craft Beer Festival, May 11 | This community loves to give back and have fun! Last year they generated a $20,000 donation to the Las Positas College Fire Service Technology program. This year they’re going even bigger and will anticipate over 40 NorCal breweries taking part, with local favorite food vendors, five great live bands, and games.
“Uncharitable” Screening and Q&A with Dan Pallotta, May 15, Bankhead Theater | Join us for a screening of the documentary "Uncharitable" by Dan Pallotta, followed by an insightful, in-person presentation from Mr. Pallotta himself. This documentary, directed by Stephen Gyllenhaal, features key philanthropic leaders and challenges conventional views on charity and nonprofit effectiveness. It's based on Dan Pallotta's influential book and TED Talk, which have sparked global discussions on redefining philanthropy.
Livermore Downtown Street Fest, May 18-19 | Right before the Summit, so come a little early to enjoy hundreds of artisan vendors, live music, and wine and beer tasting.
Wine Wednesdays | May 22, Darcie Kent Estate Winery | Just next door to our venue are our friends at Darcie Kent Estate Winery, and the last day of the Summit happens to coincide with them being the Winery of the Week. Keep the conversations going next door after we wrap our Closing Reception at 5pm (and be sure to plan your flight for May 23 or later)!
frequently asked questions
How do i get to livermore, CA?
Livermore, CA, is centrally located in the San Francisco Bay Area with easy access to 3 international airports: Oakland, San Francisco, and San Jose. While BART does go from both Oakland and San Francisco airports to Dublin/Pleasanton, we recommend car rental as the easiest way to get around the Livermore Valley. (Lyft and Uber are also options.) Pretty much all parking is complimentary in the region (with the exception of some parks).
What meals will be provided?
All meals on Tuesday, May 21, and Wednesday, May 22, are included in your registration. May 22’s final meal will be our Closing Reception with heavy apps. The Welcome Meet-Up on May 20 is no-host, but you don’t want to miss it!
Is there a hotel block?
We are not offering a hotel block this year so attendees may choose what hotel best suits their needs.
What is the attire?
There is no dress code for the Summit! This event skews more casual retreat than business conference. Let go a little and bring your whole self (or, dress how you will be comfortable in wine country)! The venue will have climate control, but expect the weather to be warm and sunny, with average highs around 80 and lows around 50. Be sure to bring a jacket and sun protection.