Top Oakland Experiential Activation Venues

• Spaces for 300 Guests
• 1 Event Space

Forager is a proving ground for the Culinary + Arts. While we are constantly evolving to bring this reality to life in new ways, we are steadfast in giving you the best locally sourced foods and beverages the Bay Area has to offer. One of our priorities is to discover and source produce and products of the highest quality to share with our community. Much like the hummingbird, we are in continual flight on a never ending search for quality sustenance within the tightest geographic radius possible. Join us on this adventure and you will encounter a sense of belonging that harkens back to a simpler time when all of human civilization lived more simply and beautifully in community as foragers. Located in downtown San Jose just a few blocks from local breweries, restaurants, hotels, and the McEnery Convention Center, Forager provides the perfect location for your special event. Parking and Public Transportation are available near by.

• Spaces for 142-144 Guests
• 1 Theater

Starbright Theater is a fully equipped performing arts venue in Campbell, California, located in the heart of Silicon Valley. The theater seats 142 guests and is available for a wide range of events, including plays, musicals, concerts, dance performances, ballet recitals, film festivals, independent film screenings, corporate meetings, seminars, lectures, and more. The space features professional-grade production capabilities throughout — a built-in lighting system, full sound system, and digital projection system are available for rental, alongside experienced technical staff including a venue manager, lighting technician, and sound engineer. The fully enclosed soundstage provides a quiet environment with overhead rigging, trap doors, and scenic automation. Optional equipment such as wireless microphones (16 available), followspots, a Yamaha Clavinova piano, and hazer equipment can be added to any rental. Starbright Theater offers both community/non-profit and standard rental rates, with packages available by the hour with a six-hour minimum. Tours are available by appointment.

• Spaces for 1,000 Guests

The hotel is connected to the San Jose McEnery Convention Center. Discover 550,000 square feet of space — including ballrooms with soaring ceilings, meeting rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, and indoor-outdoor venues.

Abbot’s Passage is a winery and mercantile located in the heart of Glen Ellen. We’re inspired by the paths less traveled. We celebrate processes and products that embrace the exceptional. Whether you’re new to our valley or a seasoned explorer, here’s to something unexpected, but just what you were looking for. Nestled between rows of 100-year old vines and surrounded by the storied hills of Sonoma, finding Abbot’s Passage means you are both lost and found. Our eclectic collection of Rhône-style wines inspires a winery and curated mercantile experience that challenges convention. Whether coming to taste, shop, play or celebrate, our collective invites friends and family to come often and stay awhile. private events Our beautiful property, nestled amongst 100-year old vines with classic Sonoma charm, is an ideal location to host your wedding or special occasion. To learn more about Abbot’s Passage as a private event space, please contact events@abbotspassage.com. To inquire about weddings, please contact weddings@abbotspassage.com.

• Spaces for 300-400 Guests
• 1 Historic Space
• 1 Estate
• 1 Mansion

The San Jose Woman's Club occupies a 1929 California Mission Revival landmark in downtown San Jose, designed by the Wolfe & Higgins architectural firm and listed as Landmark #32 on the City of San Jose Historic Register. The building's tiled features, crafted by ceramicist Albert Solon, and its original 3,000-square-foot ballroom floor reflect nearly a century of careful preservation. The venue accommodates up to 200 guests across a selection of rooms that clients choose and combine to suit their event — whether a ceremony, reception, buffet, or multi-room celebration. The ballroom includes a stage with opening and closing curtains and supports a full range of seating and setup configurations. Clients coordinate their own caterer, giving each event flexibility in food and budget. Rooted in the community since 1894, the San Jose Woman's Club makes the building available for weddings, social events, and fundraising gatherings, offering a historic setting that few venues in the South Bay can match.

• Spaces for 200 Guests
• 1 Outdoor

Located on the Campbell Historical Museum grounds, Ainsley House is owned and administered by the City of Campbell in the name of the public trust. Through innovative and relevant activities, the museums interpret the history of the Campbell area, from its pioneer roots to the present day. We encourage you to come and explore our museums, where you will learn about the past and future of the Orchard City. Located in the middle of downtown Campbell, the Ainsley House and Garden is a wonderful old mansion with a stunning garden. An elegant backdrop for a wedding, anniversary party, baby shower, birthday celebration, or company party may be found in the 3200 square foot garden. We are an a la carte location, which means that you can create a unique experience for your guests. In order to ensure that your event runs successfully, our competent and courteous crew will be on hand during the duration of your event. Due to the fact that we are an outdoor venue, the garden is only accessible for rental from May to October. It is possible to accommodate up to 200 people for a ceremony and a seated meal in the garden. Site tours of the Ainsley House Garden can be arranged with prior request. Reservations for the year 2022 are now being accepted. Please be advised that the Campbell Library will be closed during the summer of 2022 while construction is taking place. The Ainsley House will remain open, however parking may be limited as a result of the closure.

• Spaces for 40-180 Guests
• 2 Historic Spaces
• 2 Gardens

Hakone Estate and Gardens is one of the oldest residential-style Japanese gardens open to the public in the Western Hemisphere, established in 1915 on 18 acres in Saratoga, California, at the edge of the Santa Cruz Mountains overlooking Silicon Valley. The estate combines authentic Asian gardens, historic buildings, and a serene natural setting that sets it apart from conventional event venues in the Bay Area. Three event spaces accommodate gatherings of varying sizes, from intimate dinners to outdoor receptions of up to 180 guests. The Madrone Mound, an outdoor reception area tented from late fall through mid-spring, hosts evening events for up to 180 guests. The Cultural Exchange Center seats up to 50 guests for dinner and opens onto an outdoor viewing deck, while the Lower House (Dry Garden House) offers a more intimate setting for up to 40 guests. Ceremony and reception areas are wheelchair accessible. Hakone welcomes weddings, receptions, corporate events, and special occasions. Outside caterers are permitted with approval, and guests enjoy full access to the surrounding gardens throughout their event.

• Spaces for 650 Guests
• 1 Ballroom

Villa Ragusa is a full-service banquet hall in downtown Campbell, California, offering 12,000 square feet of flexible event space in a setting distinguished by European-inspired architecture. Marble columns, a granite foyer, mahogany bars, and natural woodwork define the interior, while a wraparound balcony provides views of the surrounding neighborhood and is accessible through French doors. Opened in 2002, the venue accommodates gatherings of 2 to 650 guests across configurable room arrangements, making it a fit for intimate celebrations and large-scale events alike. The surrounding area of downtown Campbell adds a small-town character and walkable boutique district to the experience. Villa Ragusa provides onsite catering with customizable menus covering breakfast, lunch, dinner, and hors d'oeuvres, and also welcomes outside caterers — one of the few banquet halls in the area to offer that flexibility. The in-house team includes experienced events managers, catering professionals, and serving staff. The venue hosts weddings, corporate events, fundraisers, holiday parties, reunions, anniversaries, and birthday parties.

• Spaces for 480-8,000 Guests
• 2 Ballrooms
• 2 Meeting Spaces
• 7 Convention Centers

The San Jose McEnery Convention Center is the first convention center in Northern California to be GBAC STAR accredited, which is recognized as the gold standard in the worldwide cleaning industry for providing a safe, preventative, and responsive meeting space. Location in the heart of Downtown, with its own parking garage, the Convention Center offers 372,754 square feet of total floor space, is connected to two hotels, and is within walking distance of five additional hotels, as well as multiple visual and performing arts facilities, as well as an abundance of restaurants. Several modes of public transportation, including Light Rail, Caltrain, and a free downtown shuttle service, connect the Center and its surroundings. It is also the site of popular public events such as Fanime, the Silicon Valley Auto Show, and the Harvest Festival, among others. Explore the San Jose Convention Center and the surrounding area using our Interactive Meeting Planner Tool. To reserve a space at the Convention Center, submit an RFP or get in touch with Team San Jose.

• Spaces for 30-250 Guests
• 1 Restaurant
• 5 Hotels
• 8 Total Spaces

Lodge at Marconi sits on 62 acres of historic parkland along the east shore of Tomales Bay in West Marin County, California — about an hour north of San Francisco. The property occupies the grounds of the former Marconi Wireless Station, a California State Historic Park now managed as a modern coastal retreat and hotel offering both lodging and private events. Eight distinct indoor and outdoor event spaces accommodate gatherings from intimate meetings of 30 in the Lodge Lobby to outdoor celebrations of up to 250 on Tower Hill, the park's highest vantage point with sweeping views of Tomales Bay, Point Reyes, and Inverness Ridge. Other spaces include Buck Hall — the largest indoor venue with high ceilings and bay views — along with the Courtyard, Amphitheatre, McCargo Hall, Cypress Hall, Pine Hall, and Mable's Restaurant. In addition to event facilities, the property offers 45 guest rooms, complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, on-site dining at Mable's Restaurant, and outdoor recreation including hiking trails, volleyball, basketball, and Tomales Bay water access.

• Spaces for 110 Guests

The Golf Club at Rio Vista is a golf course and event venue located at 1000 Summerset Drive in Rio Vista, California, set along lush green fairways with views of the surrounding landscape. The property features the Monarch Grill restaurant alongside dedicated event spaces designed to host gatherings of all sizes — from intimate banquets to full wedding receptions. Two primary event areas serve private events: a spacious outdoor patio and a large private dining hall, both of which can be configured to create a custom experience for each group. The venue accommodates a range of occasions, including weddings, corporate outings, charitable fundraisers, and private banquets. On-site catering is provided through the Monarch Grill, with food service options ranging from casual box lunches to formal dinner service. Complimentary parking is available on the grounds.

• Spaces for 50-500 Guests
• 1 Meeting Space

Take a moment to imagine your perfect wedding day taking place in a breathtaking natural outdoor setting complete with fresh breezes, natural creeks, and towering redwoods. Your wedding will be a full-service affair that you and your guests will thoroughly enjoy from beginning to end. Our all-outdoor venue has everything you could possibly want: breathtaking natural beauty, a convenient location, and mouth-watering catering options to choose from. Allow our catering team to put together the perfect menu for your special occasion! Our comprehensive catering services make the catering process simple and delicious! Working with our team at Saratoga Springs, you will be able to plan a day that you and your guests will remember for a long time to come. Allow us to create a customized agenda for your event while you relax. Ultimately, we want to provide your group with an experience that fosters tremendous team building, increases morale, and re-energizes employees. Taking advantage of our all-inclusive packages will make planning your next event a breeze! Your private picnic grove, unlimited beverages, corn hole games, and other extras are included in all catered packages. On weekends when we have 350 or more guests booked in the park, we open our Fun Zone to the public for everyone's enjoyment. More information about the Fun Zone can be found in the Gallery section below.

Villa Montalvo is a beautiful venue for weddings, parties, business meetings, company or family retreats, and more! We are currently filling our 2021 and 2022 calendars, but there are still plenty of opportunities to hold your wedding or other event with us. We are following all current health mandates in order to offer you and your party a safe and memorable experience.

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, notably known for being the winery that won the Cabernet Sauvignon competition in the famous 1976 Judgment of Paris, was founded in 1970, and is considered a Napa Valley first-growth estate. In 1969, The founder of Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars first tasted with Nathan Fay, whose scenic vineyard below the rocky promontory of the Stags Leap Palisades, so named because of the legend of the stag who successfully eluded hunters by leaping to freedom across the district's landmark peaks, was the first planting of Cabernet Sauvignon in what later became the Stags Leap District. In 1970, The founder purchased the 44 acre property, which was primarily a prune orchard, next to Nathan Fay's vineyard, named the property Stag's Leap Vineyards, and replanted it to Cabernet Sauvignon and a little bit of Merlot. Stag's Leap Wine Cellars was born. In 1972, The first vintage of S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon is produced. In 1973, The first winery building is completed, and the now historic 1973 S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon becomes the first wine made in the new red wine facility. In 1974, The first vintage of CASK 23 is produced after consulting winemaker Andre Tchelistcheff, while tasting through the lots of wine from this vintage, decided that one lot, which was in the large wooden cask numbered 23, was so beautiful and deliciously distinct that it should be bottled separately. In 1976, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars won the Cabernet Sauvignon category in a blind tasting staged by Steven Spurrier, an English wine merchant in Paris, among French wine experts between American and French wines. This later became known as the famous Judgment of Paris. In 1986, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars purchased FAY vineyard from Nathan Fay. In 1989, The Stags Leap District in Napa Valley was established as an American Viticultural Area. In 1990, The first bottling of FAY Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon was produced from Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars. In 1996, A bottle of the history-making 1973 S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon was placed in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian’s national Museum of American History. Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars begins the excavation of its wine caves. In 2000, The Napa wine caves were completed with an entrance called The Arcade, designed by Barcelona-based architect Javier Barba. There are over 34,000 square feet of tunnels, and one of only about 50 Foucault pendulums in the world, which suspended from the ceiling, marks the passing of time and the aging of wine. In 2001, The first vintage of ARTEMIS Cabernet Sauvignon, named for the Greek Goddess of the Hunt, was produced. In 2007, A partnership between Ste. Michelle Wine Estates and Marchesi Antinori proudly accepted the stewardship of Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars and its legacy. In 2013, The iconic 1973 S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon was named one of the Smithsonian's "Objects that Made America". In 2014, Designed by Barcelona-based architect Javier Barba, the must-see FAY Outlook & Visitors Center opens, allowing visiting guests to take in beautiful panoramic views of FAY Vineyard while experiencing the top-notch Stag's Leap Wine Cellars hospitality.

• Spaces for 100-200 Guests
• 1 Outdoor

WEDDING CELEBRATIONS Why limit yourself to one day when you may enjoy yourself for the entire weekend? Venture is the ideal site to say "I do" and make it a celebration to remember, with several ceremony and reception locations and warm rustic accommodations for your guests. Why venture retreat center? - Get married in the midst of ancient redwoods and magnificent night skies! - More time with your guests: Spend more time with them! Guests are welcome to spend the entire weekend on-site, saving money on hotels and Airbnbs. - Less stress: Everything can be done in one lovely location. Your ceremony, reception, rehearsal dinner, Sunday brunch, and other events can all be held at our site. Did we mention that your visitors would be able to stay on-site? - No curfew: Unlike other venues that close at 10 p.m., Venture allows you to party with your family and friends into the wee hours of the morning! - BYOB: We do not have any limits on what you can drink (hard alcohol is allowed.) Bring your favorite drinks to save money! - Splash around in our pool, unwind in our hot tub, and play games on our meadow in the sun! - S'mores and campfires: Join us for late-night food and camaraderie over our campfire. Sample Wedding Package: - Exclusive use of the entire retreat facility during your stay - Friday checkin at 3pm, Sunday checkout at 11am - Indoor accommodations for up to 50 overnight guests - Outdoor camping accommodations for 50+ overnight guests - Multiple areas in our meadow & sun deck for your ceremony & reception - Commercial kitchen for you & your catering company to use - Full use of our pool, hot tub, and fire pit (firewood included)! - Depending on your package & needs, you can use our tables, chairs, string lighting, wine barrels, and more.

Our large party menus are a delicious and easy way to entertain groups of up to 150 people. We can also build customized menus for your event if you let our Special Events organizer know what you want. What can we do to make your special occasion one to remember? We cater to your every need for all types of events, including: - Anniversary - Rehearsal dinner - Birthday - Bridal or baby shower - Bar or Bat Mitzvah - Sweet 16 or Quinceañera - Class or family reunion - Prom - Fundraising gala - Retirement dinner - Corporate conference, meeting, and celebration Event Planning Services: Whether you are hosting a large gathering or a small gathering, The GrandView restaurant offers unrivaled service and a breathtaking view. Our devoted staff has the knowledge and experience to meet your needs and provide you and your guests with the personalized attention they deserve. A unique pre-fixe menu will be required for bookings of more than 12 people. - A tradition of excellence - Dedicated, professional staff with meticulous attention to detail - Menu selections with the best of local seasonal ingredients - A world-class ambiance of elegance and fine dining - A spectacular view from the top of Mt. Hamilton How we go about doing it. Share your ideas with us, or allow our specialists provide recommendations based on the type of event you are planning. We are dedicated to creating an event that completely meets your desired style and budget. From event planning to event execution, our San Jose event location provides a tailored experience to help you realize your event goals.

• Spaces for 165-200 Guests
• 1 Event Space

The Vacaville Opera House ballroom has recently been restored and updated to reflect the ambiance of the era in which the Opera House was built along with all of the modern conveniences. The Vacaville Opera House is located adjacent to the historic Downtown Vacaville Bridge and lovely Andrews Park, perfect for photo opportunities. The Vacaville Opera House can accomodate any type of special event. There is plenty of parking around the facility and many hotels nearby to accommodate you and your guests. The Vacaville Opera House offers numerous event services for your celebration including: candy buffets, favors, timeline & checklists, invitation & RSVP management, vendor referrals, final confirmations & instructions for vendors, floor plan design & seating arrangements, and much more.

information on private dining and events in general PRIVACY AND PRIVACY ROOMS We have two private dining rooms available for parties of 8-12 guests. Please see below for more information. The first is located on the second floor of the historic main restaurant, with a view of the culinary gardens on the first floor. There's also The Board Room, our newest private dining space, located in the annex building and featuring a 140-year-old tree that was transformed into a dining table by a local carpenter. The Board Room is located on the ground floor, directly across from our newly remodeled courtyard, and is easily accessible. TABLE WITH BAY LAUREL TREE It is possible to have up to 6 guests at the Bay Laurel Tree Table, which is a semi-private al fresco dining experience. This table can be found in the courtyard, beneath our historic bay laurel tree, on the right. From April to October, this table is available on a seasonal basis.

• Spaces for 17-200 Guests
• 2 Hotels
• 2 Ballrooms
• 2 Outdoor Spaces

At Bardessono, located in the heart of Napa Valley, Bardessono's approach to providing the finest of the good life is combined with a well-known admiration for the local community of craftsmen, chefs, and winemakers. Bardessono, which places a high priority on mindful living, serves as a model of hospitality via enduring expressions of land and family that have nurtured and nourished the original Bardessono family homestead. Luxury that is "deep green" with a subtle aesthetic, seclusion, and graciousness provides guests with a revitalized curiosity and a sense of purpose, lending true meaning to the term "mindful luxury." Whether intimate or grand, every event is one-of-a-kind. Our conference and event facilities, which can accommodate between 10-120 guests, provide a lovely setting for your next event. Excite your taste buds. Allow your senses to be indulged. In terms of look, texture, scent, and taste, Lucy's dining experience is extraordinary. Our gardens provide us with inspiration for new and interesting dishes on a daily basis. And the wine itself is a source of great joy and laughter. Lucy will be a hit with you.

• Spaces for 200 Guests