Top Oakland Experiential Activation Venues

• Spaces for 150 Guests
• 3 Outdoor Spaces
• 1 Event Space

Romantic and charming, Garden Valley Ranch offers an idyllic garden setting for your private event. Let the enchanting beauty of Garden Valley Ranch be the setting for your special occasion. From intimate elopements to milestone celebrations, Garden Valley Ranch is a uniquely charming and unforgettable locale to create lasting memories. Spanning five lush acres, Garden Valley Ranch is a working rose farm and cultivates about 6,000 rosebushes for the local floral trade and rose enthusiasts. Garden Valley Ranch's field-grown roses are exquisite varieties touched by the sun and rain, giving them and unparalleled aroma and character that cannot be found in today's retail setting. Your wedding or special event at Garden Valley Ranch will be framed by their absolutely stunning roses. Garden Valley Ranch's gardens are home to many rare roses collected over decades by their stewards, making Garden Valley Ranch a living museum for many rose enthusiasts. Landscaped plantings at Garden Valley Ranch feature roses on pergolas, columns, tree-climbers, arches and mixed in with local perennials, annuals and bulbs. It is with pride that Garden Valley Ranch makes their gardens available to a very limited weddings and special celebrations each year. Their goal is to provide you with a romantic setting for your event, filled with their beautiful garden roses.

An intimate, luxurious venue nestled in the mountains with a sweeping view of downtown San Jose framed by the rolling hills of Mount Hamilton. It’s lush, verdant, and abundant with decades-old pink peppercorn, almond, & apricot trees. The space is guided and designed around nature, luxury, intimacy, and connection. Has the rustic charm of a home in the hills while still being equipped with the luxury of modern amenities and convenience inside. The space is modern & comfortably equipped with Nest AC/Heating, WiFi, & Google Home so you can say “Okay Google, turn turn off all lights” without leaving the couch. Sip on wine accompanied by a charcuterie board and cozy up in a blanket by the fire pit to relax & unwind with your guests before the event. Wake up the morning after & sip coffee on the porch, watching the cows & goats as you overlook the East Foothills as well as a sweeping view of the city. Enjoy the deer nibbling on the vegetation in the grassy area below and beautiful birds soaring around the property.

• Spaces for 40-300 Guests
• 1 Landmark
• 1 Theater
• 3 Total Spaces

Founded in 1930 with a gift from John D. Rockefeller Jr., International House at UC Berkeley is a historic nonprofit residential and event center located at 2299 Piedmont Ave., adjacent to the UC Berkeley campus in Berkeley, California. The landmark building combines nearly a century of architectural character — including Spanish-style cartwheel chandeliers, arched windows, and hand-painted wooden ceilings — with modern production technology suited for conferences, galas, receptions, lectures, and private celebrations. Three dedicated event spaces accommodate gatherings of all sizes, from board meetings and hybrid conferences for 25 guests to banquets for 240 and lecture-style presentations for up to 380. The flagship Chevron Auditorium features one of the few full-size stages on the UC Berkeley campus, while the Golub Home Room offers an intimate setting with sweeping San Francisco Bay views, and the Sproul Conference Rooms provide flexible configurations for smaller professional gatherings. International House offers full in-house catering through its events team, including customizable menus, professional bartenders, elegant linens, and fine china. Production services — including Meyer Sound, state-of-the-art theater lighting, live streaming, and hybrid meeting technology — are available for all event spaces.

• Spaces for 175 Guests
• 1 Restaurant

Hello, and thank you for visiting our website! We are an Oakland-based incubator kitchen with a mission to help local food producers. We rent our large Ivy and tree-lined venue to support that purpose by hosting a variety of outstanding events. Our entire location is 6000 square feet and contains a cafe, full commercial kitchen, conference room for additional preparation space, and a big outside patio with gentle hanging lights, ideal for larger seated meals and parties. This rental is for the entire downstairs space, as well as our upstairs office, which can be used as a staging/dressing room. Seated - 175 guests, Standing - 400 guests. Weddings, dancing, birthday and graduation parties, offsite company meetings, picture shoots, live music (always welcome until 10pm), and local beer and wine are just a few of the events we have held. Spaces included: Huge outdoor courtyard with warm bistro lighting (seats up to 175) Cafe with custom hardwood bar Huge light filled commercial kitchen. It is ideal for caterers, but it is also lovely enough to be included in the event for attendees. We are a 10-minute walk from the BART station, and we are in a secure and welcoming neighborhood with several local makers and small businesses. Please contact us if you have any additional questions; we are looking forward to seeing what you come up with in our area! Details: -Street parking available, as well as several paid garages within 2 blocks -Additional meeting/dressing room space is available as an add-on below -Close proximity to great after-party bars for all you party animals -Live music welcome until 10pm -Several different indoor and outdoor spaces included to create a more interesting/dynamic event

• Spaces for 12-385 Guests
• 1 Theater
• 3 Event Spaces
• 2 Meeting Spaces

The Oakland Asian Cultural Center (OACC) is a 15,000-square-foot cultural venue located in Pacific Renaissance Plaza in Oakland's Chinatown neighborhood. Founded in 1984 and operating in its current facility since 1996, OACC builds community through Asian and Pacific Islander arts and cultural programming — offering event spaces available for private rental alongside its ongoing exhibitions, performances, and educational offerings. Six distinct spaces accommodate gatherings of varying sizes and formats. The 3,180-square-foot Auditorium, with its raised stage, professional theater lighting, full sound system, and two dressing rooms, hosts banquets for up to 162 guests or theater-style events for 275. Conference Rooms 4 and 5 can be opened into a combined 1,760-square-foot meeting hall for up to 100 attendees, while the smaller Conference Rooms 2 and 3 serve intimate gatherings of up to 20. A 825-square-foot Dance Studio with hardwood floors, floor-to-ceiling mirrors, and large southeast-facing windows rounds out the offerings, along with a 1,488-square-foot Lobby suitable for receptions of up to 85 guests. The facility is ADA accessible, located adjacent to a parking garage, and provides catering coordination through its commercial kitchen. Events professionals and nonprofits are welcome, with discounted rates available for certain users.

• Spaces for 65-250 Guests
• 1 Landmark
• 1 Outdoor
• 3 Total Spaces

The Faculty Club was established "to encourage mutual acquaintance and companionship among officers of education and governance of the University," and it acted as a grand successor to the University Dining Association cottage, which served the faculty during the 1890s. The Faculty Club is a fantastic venue for both personal and business gatherings. From modest private luncheons to lavish weddings and receptions, we host and serve a wide range of events. The Faculty Club is a fantastic venue for both personal and business gatherings. From modest private luncheons to lavish weddings and receptions, we host and serve a wide range of events. The Faculty Club is now regarded as an architectural treasure of Craftsman design and is regarded as one of the best examples of the type worldwide. Maybeck's knowledge of a distinct northern California aesthetic is shown in the carved beams, fireplaces, and stained glass windows. In March 1982, the structure was added on the National Register of Historic Places.

• Spaces for 300-500 Guests
• 1 Historic Space
• 1 Estate
• 1 Mansion

Starline Private Events is located in the Starline Social Club, a dynamic and historic location that offers three unique event spaces for private events. With pleasant, professional service and cutting-edge audio/visual technology, we can arrange in-house food, beverage, and entertainment packages. The Starline Social Club is a bar, restaurant, and performance venue in Uptown Oakland, housed in a historic three-story Victorian edifice. Our one-of-a-kind and historically significant structure is a true Oakland gem. We offer a flexible location with three separate rooms for private rentals, as well as in-house food and bar service, audiovisual services, and production and styling options. We provide a wide variety of different and creative events, available to all ages, ranging from traditional to edgy, easygoing to formal, 30 people to 450 people. Some parties are held in the second-floor ballroom, while smaller groups prefer the Explorers Club's dim romantic speakeasy atmosphere. Before dinner, some people have a cocktail hour in the downstairs bar. We are pleased to offer both traditional wedding parties with sit-down dinners and a first dance, as well as less traditional wedding parties with music and food, or those who wish to reconsider what a commitment ceremony can be all together. Some couples marry on the Starline stage in front of their adoring family and friends, while others hold weddings in the many gorgeous parks, hills, mountains, beaches, and forests that surround Oakland, and then dance the night away at the Starline. There are numerous ways to use the facility, and we are always open to new suggestions.

• Spaces for 300 Guests

Preservation Park is a collection of 16 turn-of-the-century Victorian buildings set in the heart of downtown Oakland, California, two blocks from the 12th Street/City Center BART station. The park traces its roots to the 1870s, when the site flourished as an upscale residential neighborhood of elaborate Victorian homes. By the 1970s, many structures had fallen into disrepair and a proposed freeway threatened what remained. The City of Oakland responded with a public-private partnership that relocated endangered buildings and restored them for commercial use — preserving the facades, period-appropriate landscaping, Victorian-era park benches, and street lamps that define the property today. Together, the buildings offer 55,604 rentable square feet of space for weddings, corporate events, nonprofit gatherings, private celebrations, and meetings. Managed by the East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation (EBALDC), Preservation Park brings together historic architectural character and modern event amenities in a setting that has earned praise for its scenery, natural light, and photogenic backdrops throughout the Oakland community.

• Spaces for 60-125 Guests
• 1 Outdoor
• 1 Waterfront
• 1 Park

Shoreline Center is a mid-century modern waterfront venue at the Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline in Oakland, California. The building's distinctive angular roof and floor-to-ceiling windows face the San Leandro Bay, delivering panoramic views of the water and the East Bay hills from every seat. A 700-square-foot outdoor deck wraps around the structure, extending the event footprint onto the waterfront and offering guests an open-air space amid the 741-acre regional park. The main room accommodates up to 60 guests for seated dinners and up to 125 for standing receptions. A fully equipped commercial kitchen supports catering for events of every scale, and tables, chairs, and wireless internet are included with each rental. The venue is ADA accessible and features flexible layout configurations suited to weddings, celebrations, bridal and baby showers, corporate gatherings, fundraisers, and galas. Reservations are handled through the East Bay Regional Park District, with events typically including a 9-hour rental window that covers setup, the event itself, and cleanup.

• Spaces for 50-300 Guests
• 3 Outdoor Spaces
• 3 Historic Spaces
• 3 Total Spaces

Dunsmuir Hellman Historic Estate occupies 50 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds in a crescent-shaped valley near the southeastern edge of Oakland, California. At its heart stands a 37-room Neoclassical Revival mansion built in 1899, surrounded by sprawling lawns, duck-filled ponds, and gardens whose design was informed by John McLaren, the landscape architect best known for shaping San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. The estate is owned and operated by the City of Oakland's Parks, Recreation & Youth Development department and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Four distinct outdoor and indoor event spaces accommodate gatherings ranging from intimate ceremonies of 50 guests on the Mansion Veranda to receptions and corporate events of up to 200 guests in the Garden Pavilion. The estate is available for weddings, receptions, birthday parties, anniversary celebrations, corporate retreats, seminars, and family reunions. Every event at the estate is supported by a reservations clerk who oversees planning details from booking through event day, with an on-site event coordinator present during the event itself.

• Spaces for 300-600 Guests
• 1 Event Space

OUR HISTORY: SINCE 1926, OAKLAND'S ART DECO BALLROOM The Roaring Twenties were a time when everyone enjoyed a good time. The 7,500-square-foot California Ballroom, which was built in 1926, features a majestic high gold leaf ceiling, as well as a large stage with curtains and lighting, as well as a spacious dance floor for large gatherings. Getting an invitation to this stunning Art Deco masterpiece — which is located just a few blocks from the lovely Lake Merritt — is a rare and exciting opportunity. Weddings & Celebrations: A TIMELESS SETTING FOR A UNIQUE NIGHT In addition to hosting weddings, quinceaeras, bar/bat mitzvahs, milestone birthdays, and anniversaries, the California Ballroom provides beautiful facilities and amenities for all types of gatherings. The venue can accommodate 300 people for a banquet-style supper and 600 people for a standing reception. You will feel linked to the great moments that have taken place here over the previous 100 years as you celebrate with your guests during your event. TAILOR THE SPACE TO YOUR PERSONAL STYLE: THE SKY'S THE LIMIT You may construct the party of your dreams by using only your imagination!. Because there is so much possibility and so few limits in this high-value environment, we encourage and support any and all ideas while also providing you with guidance on vision and execution. There are no preferred vendors required for our kitchen and bar, and our flexible rental times allow you to keep the celebration going until 1:00am or even later. PERFECT FOR ALL KINDS OF GATHERINGS, PRIVATE EVENTS An wonderful choice for corporate events, holiday parties, fundraisers, wrap/after-parties, ceremonies, and other gatherings of many kinds.. Inquire about our special rates for non-profit organizations!

• Spaces for 500-730 Guests
• 1 Hotel
• 1 Ballroom

Weddings About this venue: - In the magnificent venues of our downtown Oakland hotel, host a spectacular wedding or an intimate reception. - For a reception banquet, our spectacular Grand Ballroom setting can accommodate up to 800 guests. - From the floor-to-ceiling windows of our Skyline Ballroom wedding venue, take in views of Oakland. - Work with our wedding consultants at our Oakland hotel to plan your celebration, from venues to catering. - Trust our culinary team to create wedding reception menus that are tailored to your preferences. - For wedding-related activities such as rehearsal dinners and showers, smaller hotel venues are appropriate. Meetings The Oakland Marriott City Center, one of the top hotels near the Oakland Convention Center, has been entirely rebuilt, providing a new location for meetings in downtown with more than 36 event spaces. Our position is immediately across from BART, with local freeways nearby and about 20 minutes from OAK International Airport. The staff is dedicated to make your event simple, memorable, and inspirational. About this venue: - When you reserve one of our 37 Oakland meeting rooms for your event or conference, you will be setting yourself up for success. - The Exhibit Hall and Grand Ballroom at our Oakland hotel can accommodate up to 7,900 people. - Plan a banquet or corporate gathering for 150 people in our Skyline conference area, which has a view of Oakland. - Our culinary crew at our Oakland hotel will wow conference attendees with excellent, personalized meals. - Working with specialized event planners to prepare your meeting's specifics, from room setup to AV equipment, is a great way to save time and money. - The Oakland Convention Center is directly connected to our hotel, making it simple to attend events.

Host your event in the Pauley Ballroom, which is highly sought after. The ballroom, the East Bay's second largest venue, features prestigious oak paneling, a 30 foot high ceiling, and a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows with spectacular views of Sather Gate and the Campanile. For smaller gatherings or breakout seminars, the Pauley Ballroom can be divided into two halves. East Pauley makes up 1/3 of the ballroom, while West Pauley makes up 2/3. Please note that in order to meet personnel, catering, and/or logistical demands, a reservation request for Pauley Ballroom must be made at least 30 days in advance. If you are hosting or preparing a Major Event, please see the Campus's Non-Departmental User Procedures for requesting access to campus facilities. This guideline also defines what constitutes a major event. If you have any issues concerning this policy, please contact the LEAD Center at lead@berkeley.edu for Student Groups. If you have any questions concerning this policy as a non-campus affiliate, please contact Risk Services at risk@berkeley.edu. A planning consultation with an Event Coordinator is included in your rental. The meeting should be held 60 days before to the event. Please bring accurate times, set-up requirements, and catering requirements. During this meeting, three room designs depicting the layout of your event are created. Each additional diagram costs $77. 3 business days prior to your event, room diagrams are finalized. Kerr Lobby can be included in your Pauley Ballroom rental at no additional cost. The lobby, with its wood paneling, is ideal for registration and handout tables.

• Spaces for 300 Guests
• 1 Hotel
• 1 Ballroom

Waterfront Hotel in Oakland offers more than a sweet-spot location on the waterfront and within Jack London Square, with the marina at our back door. Our hotel has one of the most popular coffee shops in the region, as well as a heated outdoor pool, fitness facility, and friendly staff who are always willing to assist you in planning your Oakland experience. Waterfront Hotel is one of Oakland's most popular meeting and event sites, thanks to its natural light and bay views. For meetings of up to 300 people, flexible indoor and outdoor facilities, competent event planners, and personalized services ensure success. We're here to make your wedding preparation as simple and stress-free as possible, from bespoke wedding menus to recommendations for the best flowers, limousine services, and bridal stores in the Oakland region. Hotel and event professionals with years of experience and dedication are here to assist you. Allow your guests to stay in one of the 145 hotel rooms and suites, some of which have excellent views of San Francisco and the harbor.

• Spaces for 98-200 Guests
• 1 Restaurant
• 2 Hotels
• 4 Total Spaces

Lodge at Marconi offers one of the most romantic and gorgeous wedding venues in Northern California. Framed by stately trees, this 62-acre hillside nature retreat provides picturesque backdrops, onsite accommodations, locally sourced menus, and uncompromising service. With a total of 8 indoor and outdoor spaces, you are able to customize your wedding package to fit any budget. Enjoy special rates when you book a full and private buyout of the entire property. Tailor your dream wedding with our selection of eight unique indoor and outdoor event spaces, each designed to offer everything you need for a truly engaging and unforgettable celebration amidst the serene beauty of Tomales Bay. Full buyouts are available for up to 200 guests. We take pride in offering a catering experience that features locally sourced food, highlighting the rich flavors and fresh ingredients of the region. Celebrate the bounty of the West Marin community, making your special day both delicious and sustainable. Set up your dinner in Buck Hall & Patio or The Courtyard (Event Tent). Ensure a seamless and stress-free experience by staying close to the occasion. Just steps away from our venues, these comfortable accommodations offer the perfect blend of accessibility and retreat, allowing everyone to fully immerse themselves in the celebration and the beauty of the surroundings. Bridal and hospitality suites are available.

You have just found Oakland’s best kept secret. The Terrace Room is known to many as a little gem, tucked inside The Lake Merritt Hotel with panoramic views of the mesmerizing Lake Merritt. The beautiful, Art Deco building was built in 1927. Then it was a trendy hot spot, featuring Big Bands and dancing, including Count Basie. Today we welcome you to come visit this historic room while enjoying fresh, local and seasonal items.Oakland’s Most Enchanting Wedding & Celebration Venue Our panoramic view encompasses the blue-green of Lake Merritt and the lush Oakland hills. A special treat for evening events is the Necklace of Lights, which is a chain of lights on ornate Victorian light poles that surround the entire lake. We provide all food & beverage. Our menu features an upscale Californian cuisine and is reasonably priced. A variety of menus are available, or our Executive Chef will gladly create a custom menu to suit your needs. To reserve The Terrace Room for your private function please contact us by clicking on the red “Request Venue Information” button above and to the left. The Terrace Room is available on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays for larger events. Wedding Ceremonies can be held indoors at an hourly rate. The Terrace Room is also available for smaller events throughout the week. Please inquire about our availability.

• Spaces for 225-350 Guests
• 1 Outdoor
• 1 Event Space
• 1 Garden

Fairview Metropolitan is a wedding and event venue set on the grounds of Metropolitan Golf Links in Oakland, California — a public golf course with sweeping views of the San Francisco skyline and East Bay hills. Located at 10051 Doolittle Drive, the property pairs a scenic outdoor ceremony site adjacent to the fairways with a fully enclosed reception pavilion, accommodating gatherings from 50 to 225 guests. The pavilion features wall-to-wall carpeting, a built-in dance floor, and floor-to-ceiling windows that frame views of the golf course and Bay Area sunsets. All-inclusive wedding packages range from foundational to premium tiers, covering catering, DJ/MC services, invitations, centerpieces, hosted bars, and a dedicated event coordinator — allowing couples and hosts to customize from a single, integrated offering rather than managing multiple vendors. Spanish-language services are also available on-site. Beyond weddings, the venue hosts social events and private celebrations, with flexible package options designed to fit a range of group sizes and occasion types.

• Spaces for 58-400 Guests
• 1 Landmark
• 1 Outdoor
• 5 Total Spaces

Mills College, located in the foothills of Oakland, California, on the east bank of the San Francisco Bay, provides a stunning setting for weddings and wedding receptions, as well as community activities and conferences. The Mills College Chapel provides a serene and unique venue in which to commemorate life's milestones. The Chapel is made of warm cedar and rough-brushed aggregate, with leaf-dappled sunshine streaming in through glass doors that open onto outdoor patios, bringing it to life. A sculptural backdrop is provided by a stunning brushed stainless steel pipe organ. The Chapel is a spherical structure designed by Callister and Payne and completed in 1967. The emphasis is drawn to a center slightly raised altar by four curving redwood pews. Behind the gorgeous pipe organ is a little choir loft. Reinhardt Alumnae House, located in a tree grove in a quiet portion of the Mills College campus, can be rented for wedding receptions, meetings, birthday celebrations, and other special occasions. Its tranquil environment will ensure that your occasion is remembered.

• Spaces for 120 Guests

The USS Potomac is Franklin D. Roosevelt's historic presidential yacht — a 165-foot vessel docked at 540 Water Street in Oakland, California, on the shores of San Francisco Bay. Built in 1934 as a U.S. Coast Guard cutter and converted into FDR's floating White House in 1936, the ship served the 32nd president through the Great Depression and World War II before becoming a National Historic Landmark. Following a fourteen-year restoration, the Potomac opened to the public in 1995 and has since welcomed more than half a million visitors. The vessel offers private charters for groups of up to 120 guests for standing cocktail-style receptions, with reduced capacity for seated dining. Charter options include two- to three-hour cruises on San Francisco Bay — with departure and return from Oakland, or remote docking in San Francisco or Sausalito — as well as stationary dockside charters at the Oakland berth. Every charter includes full access to the ship, a Coast Guard-licensed five-person crew, and two to three docents available to lead historical tours. The Potomac is well suited to anniversaries, weddings and receptions, corporate events, retirement parties, and other private celebrations. Live bands and DJs are accommodated, and a preferred caterer list is available. Guests should note that, as a 1934-era historic vessel, the ship features narrow doorways, raised thresholds, and multiple decks without elevator access.

• Spaces for 16-3,000 Guests
• 7 Museums
• 7 Landmarks
• 7 Total Spaces

The USS Hornet Sea, Air & Space Museum is a National and State Historic Landmark anchored in Alameda, California, just 20 minutes from San Francisco. Moored on San Francisco Bay with sweeping views of the city skyline and the Bay Bridge, the historic aircraft carrier USS Hornet — a veteran of World War II, the Vietnam War, and NASA's Apollo 11 and Apollo 12 recovery missions — serves as one of Northern California's most distinctive event venues. Complimentary parking for more than 500 vehicles is located directly across from the pier. Seven distinct event spaces aboard the ship accommodate gatherings from 16 to 3,000 guests, ranging from the 90,000-square-foot Flight Deck for large-scale picnics and concerts to the intimate Captain's Conference Room where ship captains and presidents once convened. The 44,500-square-foot Hangar Deck (Hangar Bays 1, 2, and 3) supports multiple stages, large seated dinners, trade shows, and conventions, while Hangar Bay 3 alone seats up to 650 for formal dinners and presentations. Events aboard the Hornet can be enhanced with ship tours, a state-of-the-art flight simulator on the Hangar Deck that seats up to 15, docent-led tours of historic locations including the Engine Room and Combat Information Center, fireworks displays, and scavenger hunts. A curated list of preferred catering and production vendors is available through the museum's events team.