The Case Management Conference is a hearing at which the status of the case is reviewed.  You will need to complete a Case Management Conference Questionnaire before the hearing.  It is a court form which asks questions such as what discovery needs to be completed; estimated time for completion of discovery; have all parties been served; date complaint was filed; type of case, etc.  Plaintiff and defendant can file a joint Case Management Conference Questionnaire or the parties can file separate Case Management Conference Questionnaires.  File it with the court before the hearing.  The local rules may vary throughout California, but you may only need to file it with the judge's court clerk before the hearing.  The hearing (Case Management Conference) will probably only last a few minutes during which the judge reviews the Case Management Conference Questionnaires.