Top California Gala Venues

• Spaces for 100 Guests
• 1 Hotel
• 1 Ballroom

The Embassy Suites Hotel On San Francisco Waterfront is here to take some of the weight of planning this special occasion off your shoulders. The hotel's staff of expert event professionals will create everlasting memories through their attention to detail, impeccable service and skilled orchestration of your event. The property's beautiful Ballroom, waterfront event space, unique Atrium and rich collection of artwork offer the perfect romantic setting for your exciting day. With delectable dining options, the custom wedding packages offer extraordinary menus designed by their highly-skilled and accomplished regional chef. All packages include a complimentary suite for you on the night of your wedding. For your out-of-town guests the hotel offers spacious two-room suites that include a complimentary breakfast and a nightly Manager's Reception. Whether it is an elegant affair or a casual party, Embassy Suites Hotel will cater to your every whim. Meetings and other gatherings: Our largest conference room has a total floor area of 5,185 square feet. Our staff will be pleased to assist you with event planning, meal ideas, and seating arrangements, among other things. Our Waterfront Room has a spectacular view of the San Francisco Bay and is the perfect place to relax. Catering for Special Occasions: Our catering professionals will work with you to create a memorable dinner for your event. - 14,432 sq. ft. total event space - 5,185 sq. ft. largest event space set up - 14,432 sq. ft. total event space - 340 guest rooms Views of the bay near the San Francisco International Airport: Our hotel, located five minutes from San Francisco International Airport, offers views of the bay from a waterfront trail. Our limited-capacity, fee-based shuttle service will get you to SFO. With the neighboring Broadway BART station, you can reach downtown San Francisco, which is only 20 miles away. Enjoy our complimentary made-to-order breakfast each morning as well as our evening reception. Located directly on San Francisco Bay, 2 miles south of San Francisco Airport - SFO and BART, minutes from downtown San Francisco and Silicon Valley.

• Spaces for 75 Guests
• 1 Hotel
• 1 Ballroom

JRDN Restaurant in TOWER23 Hotel is a premier venue and restaurant within San Diego's only luxury, lifestyle hotel on the beach. The exclusive resort community of La Jolla is just north of the hotel, while downtown San Diego, the airport, major business centers and popular area attractions are just minutes away. San Diego's vibrant beach life sets the stage for JRDN Restaurant in TOWER23 Hotel's distinctive architecture and style. The venue has refreshed décor and a reinvented golden coast menu. The look of JRDN is fresh, cool, clean and upbeat. The atmosphere transforms from California casual to West Coast hip as the day advances. Each evening, the dramatic setting sun, for which Pacific Beach is famous, is celebrated by an ambient reflection on a 70-foot long "wave wall" at the back of JRDN Restaurant. Color-changing lighting continues this theatrical effect throughout the evening Teak wood, dramatic lighting, and a 1,000 bottle wine wall make JRDN's secluded dining room special for any occasion. The unique architecture and design of the room is complemented by Mother Nature's sense of style. The entire room opens onto a private patio with spectacular views of the ocean accented by a fire pit. This room is available for both business meetings and special celebrations.

• Spaces for 400-600 Guests
• 1 Event Space

85 Campton Place is the ideal location for a business meeting or a private gathering. In San Francisco's vibrant downtown Union Square District, in the same building as Nike and Giorgio Armani. The Moscone Center is only a few blocks away, as are world-class restaurants and renowned hotels. The theater gives a large city feel that is sure to wow, with state-of-the-art sound, lighting, and visual capabilities. On Peerspace.com, you can book a room right now. Our facility is set up to encourage mixing and mingling. The performance and dance area is surrounded by sultry banquette seating. The chamber is surrounded by modern art and mapping video works. Guests can choose between private and open seating to take private selfies or be seen by other partygoers. We can accommodate up to 600 people for dancing or 400 people with food stations and activities. Our in-house event planning staff can help you customize the venue, brand it, and put interactive activations and intelligent performances in place.

A wide range of activities, including wedding receptions, concerts, talks, conferences, and meetings, are held in our Main Sanctuary for the benefit of the entire community. The majestic and well-known dome of the Temple crowns the building's soaring interior. The chandeliers in black and gold, as well as the two gorgeous stained glass windows that shine on either side of the room, provide a soft glow to the space. The Martin Meyer Sanctuary is located adjacent to the Main Sanctuary. This facility, which is popular for wedding ceremonies, musical events, and lectures, is equipped with a state-of-the-art sound system, a theatrical lighting system, and acoustics that are well regarded. What ever event we plan, you can be sure it will be one that will be remembered for a long time. Weddings Congregation Emanu-El is committed to making each wedding an authentic reflection of your Jewish religion and dedication to one another. We aim to achieve this goal with every wedding. In the sacred places of our Main and Martin Meyer Sanctuaries, we welcome people of all Jewish faiths and denominations to worship. All of the couples meet with the rabbi or cantor of their choosing to discuss the ritual and significance of the construction of a Jewish home in general. No matter what your religious affiliation, our rabbis and cantor are available to officiate at weddings for Jewish and interfaith couples of either gender. Interfaith couples must agree to meet the Temple's requirements for interfaith marriage before the ceremony can take place.

The idea of getting married under the stars in a romantic European country villa sounds like something out of a fairytale. Il Cielo, located on the outskirts of Beverly Hills, has fashioned its own true European cottage in the midst of a Tuscan palette; for more than 30 years, our gardens have served as the setting for more than 3000 wedding ceremonies. Il Cielo has established a reputation as the premier wedding and reception venue in Los Angeles, offering the ideal balance of atmosphere, sophistication, flavor, and service to create the most memorable of occasions. According to our philosophy, we want our engaged couples to feel as if they are personally inviting their wedding guests into their home for the reception. With meticulous attention to detail, we personally choreograph each wedding from dawn to dusk; from twilight to nightfall; and we provide as little or as much service as our clients require along the way. Using the Il Cielo aesthetic, we have created a versatile environment that can be used for a variety of different applications. Our lives should be filled with joy, excitement, and care on the occasions that are significant in our lives. When hosting a birthday party or a life celebration, we not only create an atmosphere of intimacy, but we also create an environment in which each guest feels as if they are the guest of honor at your event. Our magnificent venue offers a variety of different rooms, configurations, and custom menus for your private party. Please contact us for more information.

• Spaces for 5,000 Guests

Craneway Pavilion, set on 25 waterfront acres, offers a breathtaking view of the Bay, San Francisco cityscape, and surrounding areas, rivaled only by the stunning architecture and high-end amenities accessible within. Our open, airy design makes this the ideal location for world-class corporate meetings, product launches, speaking engagements, concerts, film or photo shoots, and any other type of celebration. Our experts will assist you in creating a one-of-a-kind, high-end experience that guests will remember for years. Our crew will inspire your boldness, excite event programming, and support everybody involved to think creatively, dexterously, and with a holistic vision of success, thanks to our comprehensive production capability and broad network of great vendor partners. At Craneway Pavilion, our success is inextricably linked to the success of our clients. We encourage you to let your imagination run wild. Craneway Pavilion is a 45,000-square-foot venue with a 20,000-square-foot open-air terrace that seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor spaces. It is housed in an award-winning, aesthetically noteworthy Ford Assembly Plant that dates back to 1931.

• Spaces for 250-500 Guests
• 1 Hotel
• 1 Ballroom

Weddings & Occasions Dream weddings are not something that just happens; they are meticulously planned. Marriott Certified Wedding Planners are well-versed in providing assistance. Once they have completed the rigorous study, each Marriott Certified Wedding Planner is competent to arrange weddings of all kinds, including ethnic and military weddings. Marriott Certified Wedding Planners can assist you in determining an overarching vision for your wedding and assisting you in executing each aspect based on their expertise, training, tradition, and good old-fashioned intuition, among other things. Establishing an event budget; selecting a cuisine; setting up table arrangements; and booking florists, photographers, bands, and other entertainment for the big day are all part of the planning process. About the Venue: - Get in touch with our fantastic wedding planning staff so that we can assist you in organizing your dream wedding. - Learn more about our specialized catering services, which can help you create the perfect supper for your reception event. - You can have your dream wedding at the California Ballroom, which can be turned into the perfect setting! - Special packages are offered to make the process of preparing a wedding or other event more convenient for you. Meetings & Events About this Venue: - Catering by our professional crew will ensure that your guests have a delicious dinner that is perfectly produced. - Choose any of our 13 distinct meeting rooms, which together provide over 16,000 square feet of event space! - Wireless Internet access is available in all meeting rooms at no additional charge. - Take use of high-quality audiovisual equipment to make your presentation stand out from the crowd.

• Spaces for 600 Guests

The Carson Center for the Performing Arts — formally the Luther F. Carson Four Rivers Center — anchors the cultural life of downtown Paducah, Kentucky, at the confluence of the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers. Opened in 2004 and operated as a nonprofit 501(c)(3), the building serves a diverse population from a four-state region and functions as a centerpiece of Paducah's downtown revitalization, drawing up to 140,000 visitors each year. The facility offers a majestic 1,806-seat main theater alongside five dedicated rental spaces — from the glass-windowed Ingram Room and the panoramic Myre River Room to the sweeping two-staircase Paxton Family Lobby and an outdoor balcony terrace overlooking the rivers. Together these spaces host weddings, receptions, dinners, corporate conferences, and private performances of nearly any scale. A state-of-the-art Clair Brothers line array sound system, professional theatrical lighting, and a full production team make the Carson Center one of the most technically capable venues in western Kentucky.

• Spaces for 150-250 Guests
• 1 Outdoor
• 1 Barn
• 1 space at this venue

Cayucos Creek Barn is a country coastal event rental set on 25 acres in Cayucos, California, just off Highway 1 and one mile from the beach. The centerpiece is a century-old redwood barn that has been carefully preserved by owner Dave Ottenberg since 1998, with enhancements that honor its original character. Surrounded by organic farms, rolling hills, oak trees, avocado groves, and the sound of a whispering creek, the property offers a distinctly pastoral setting along the Central Coast. The barn's 2,500-square-foot interior and 12,000 square feet of outdoor areas accommodate up to 150 guests for weddings, receptions, parties, concerts, art shows, film shoots, fundraisers, and business conferences. Rental includes chairs, tables, lighting, tents, parking, three-day property access, and an onsite manager. The venue is available seasonally from May through September.

• Spaces for 1,000 Guests
• 1 Country Club

Delight your guests and celebrate in style. Make your special day even more extraordinary at The Clubhouse at Peacock Gap. Whether you’re looking for an intimate setting or spacious venue, The Clubhouse provides the ideal location for your social event. From our welcoming lobby to our spacious salons, a beautiful outdoor terrace featuring warm, inviting firepits and breathtaking views of Marin County’s stunning rolling hills, we have everything your special day needs just 25 minutes north of San Francisco. With gorgeous indoor space that can accommodate more than 1,000 guests, a lovely outdoor terrace that accommodates 1,050 more, and an intimate Clubroom that comfortably fits 80, The Clubhouse is an ideal setting for occasions large and small. We’ll help you tailor our venue so that your special occasion is all that you imagined and more. Furnished with a warm and inviting fireplace, private lounges, and beautiful outdoor areas, the amenities at The Clubhouse are unparalleled. Our exceptional staff is here to help from start to finish with all your needs, from assisting with creating your menu to entertainment options, rentals, hotel accommodations, and anything else you may need. From small intimate gatherings and corporate meetings to large weddings and private dinners, what you imagine will come to life at The Clubhouse at Peacock Gap. Catering Expertise Our experienced planning and catering staff will help you create the flawless dining experience your guests deserve. Craft a customized menu featuring our world-class cuisine, always prepared on site. It is also our pleasure to accommodate any special menus and dietary requests prepared by our amazing Chef. Indoor or Outdoor Create your perfect indoor/outdoor wedding at The Clubhouse. Our wall of windows provide romantic views of Marin County, or stretch out onto the rooftop terrace and lush event lawn to experience the breathtaking landscape firsthand. Cozy firepits, luxurious groom and bridal suites, and tailored dining options are just the beginning. Facility Fees Range from $500 to $6,000 depending on your date selected, the time you book and the demand for that particular date. Your facility fee at the clubhouse includes a 5 hour rental of the space you are contracted for. In some instances, i.e. ceremonies, an additional hour may be added to accommodate your event. So long as your event does not exceed our operating hours, you can work with your sales manager if you require additional time for your event. Use of the clubhouse for setup and or breakdown may be subject to additional facility fees and availability. The facility fee includes use of our china, glassware, silverware, tables, standard banquet chairs, setup and break down for your event.

• Spaces for 75-350 Guests
• 3 Museums
• 1 Outdoor
• 3 Total Spaces

CuriOdyssey is a science playground and zoo located at Coyote Point in San Mateo, California, set against a panoramic backdrop of the San Francisco Bay and surrounded by California redwoods and eucalyptus groves. The venue offers a distinctive setting for weddings, corporate events, private celebrations, and special gatherings — where guests explore interactive science exhibits and encounter live animals alongside the festivities. Three event spaces accommodate groups of all sizes, from intimate gatherings to full-facility buyouts hosting up to 350 seated guests. Redwood Hall, an 8,000-square-foot indoor space built from reclaimed wood and spread across four distinctive tiers, serves as the centerpiece for receptions and seated dinners. Bay Labs offers 1,450 square feet of modern, versatile meeting and event space with views of the Bay. The outdoor Bay View Grove seats up to 170 guests beneath eucalyptus trees with panoramic water views, and is a popular setting for wedding ceremonies. Rental fees at CuriOdyssey directly support early childhood education and animal conservation initiatives. All packages include access to the museum, zoo, parking, staffing, and tables and chairs. The events team works with renters on custom floorplans and connects clients with a roster of preferred caterers and vendors.

• Spaces for 50-400 Guests
• 1 Museum
• 1 Outdoor
• 1 space at this venue

Heritage Square Museum sits on approximately 10 acres in the Arroyo Seco, just north of Downtown Los Angeles off the 110 freeway, and is home to eight landmark Victorian-era structures rescued from demolition across Los Angeles. The buildings, constructed during the late 1800s and early 1900s, represent the everyday architecture and culture of early Southern California — from the ornate William Perry Mansion to the Longfellow-Hastings Octagon House. As a private event venue, Heritage Square specializes in boutique weddings of 50 guests or fewer, private celebrations, corporate gatherings, and film and photography productions. Ceremonies and receptions unfold on landscaped grounds surrounded by historic architecture, offering a one-of-a-kind backdrop rarely found in the city. Ample on-site parking and accessibility for large vehicles make logistics straightforward, and professional museum staff serve as in-house site representatives throughout every event.

• Spaces for 250 Guests

Shasta Weddings is a secluded mountain wedding venue situated at high elevation in Northern California's Trinity Alps area, approximately 20 degrees cooler than surrounding towns during the summer months. The property books as an exclusive-use venue — one wedding party occupies the ceremony site, reception site, cabin accommodations, and surrounding grounds for the entire weekend. Events run from June through mid-October, when the mountain landscape is most accessible. The venue includes an outdoor ceremony site and reception area, a community house, kitchen, bridal room, party patio, private swimming holes, hiking trails, and campfire areas. Cabin lodging accommodates up to 50 guests on the property. Tables and chairs are provided along with an in-house sound system. Outside caterers are welcome, and the venue maintains a list of local vendor contacts for catering, flowers, and other services.

• Spaces for 200-300 Guests
• 1 Museum
• 1 Landmark

Are you looking for a location for your next event? Make a reservation at The Nat for a memorable experience for your guests. Because of its location in beautiful Balboa Park, just minutes from downtown San Diego's business district, the San Diego Natural History Museum provides a unique and memorable setting for any event. In addition to private corporate and non-profit events, such as weddings and proms, film screening and meetings are held at the venue on a regular basis. Multi-level exhibition and event spaces provide you and your guests with the opportunity to explore galleries that bring the natural world to life while also having an unforgettable evening out. If you are planning a seated dinner for 100 people or an open-air reception for 1,800, we will transform the Museum to accommodate your vision. Through research, education, and exhibits, the Nat is a non-profit organization dedicated to interpreting and interpreting the natural world. When you book your event at The Nat, you are assisting us in our mission to inspire a respect for nature and the environment in all people everywhere. If you have any questions, would like to book an event, or would like to receive an event planning guide that includes detailed information about our venue, please fill out our contact form or send an email to events@sdnhm.org. We will respond as soon as possible. Speeches and Lectures Nat Talks, made possible by support from presenting sponsor The Downing Family Foundation and media partner KPBS, feature museum staff and outside experts speaking on a variety of topics, including the latest in scientific research, history, conservation, and the natural world. The program is produced by the National Geographic Society. The Climate Change Series is a collection of essays on climate change. The National Geographic Society and the Climate Science Alliance are collaborating to offer a series of evening talks and daytime lessons on climate change in 2021, which will be the first time. These events, which take place once a quarter, delve into the complex topic of climate change and its consequences. The more information we have, the better we will be able to respond to what is taking place. Become a member and feel empowered. Purchase tickets for each event by clicking on the link that corresponds to it. Visit our YouTube playlist to watch re-enacted presentations and lectures. Please keep in mind that all presentations are offered in Pacific Standard Time (PST/PDT).

• Spaces for 60 Guests

L'Auberge Carmel is a historic boutique hotel and Relais & Châteaux property set in the heart of Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. Built in 1929 by Allen Knight and designed by architect Albert Farr in a Bohemian style inspired by the romantic architecture of Prague, the property has been thoughtfully restored to preserve its historic character while introducing modern comforts. Its 20 individually designed guest rooms reflect European-style elegance and a philosophy of highly personalized hospitality. At the center of the property is Aubergine, a two-Michelin-star, five-Forbes-star restaurant that anchors the hotel's reputation for culinary distinction. Special events at Aubergine bring together the restaurant's acclaimed cuisine with an intimate setting that has earned recognition among the finest dining experiences on the Monterey Peninsula. The hotel is located just blocks from Carmel Beach, placing guests within easy reach of the village's galleries, shops, and coastline.

• Spaces for 24-400 Guests
• 4 Restaurants
• 2 Outdoor Spaces
• 3 Gardens

Cecconi's, located on the corner of Melrose Avenue and Robertson Boulevard, is a modern-day classic Italian restaurant that serves hand-made pasta, seafood, and dishes from Italy made with the freshest ingredients available. In order to keep our guests and employees safe, we are complying with the most recent government mandate on vaccine status, and we want to provide you with clear guidance on what to expect when you come to visit. This policy applies to all members of our team, as well as our guests and visitors. Please keep in mind that beginning on Thursday, October 7, all guests over the age of 18 will be required to show proof of at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccination, as well as a valid form of photo identification. Beginning on Thursday, November 4, all guests over the age of 18 will be required to show proof of complete COVID-19 vaccination. After completing the entire recommended series of an authorized vaccine, full vaccination is defined as occurring two weeks after the completion of the entire recommended series. Documentation examples include the following: vaccination card (physical or photocopy) from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or international equivalent (e.g. NHS Pass) an individual's digital COVID-19 vaccination record issued by the State of California We do not accept any animals out of consideration for our other guests. The exception is any animal that has been approved by the ADA and has been individually trained to do or perform tasks for the benefit of someone who has a disability.

• Spaces for 50-250 Guests
• 1 Historic Space
• 1 Art Gallery
• 1 Waterfront

SF Camerawork is a nonprofit art gallery and photography organization founded in 1974, located at Fort Mason Center for Arts and Culture along San Francisco's Marina waterfront. Housed in Building A at 2 Marina Boulevard, the gallery overlooks the Golden Gate and has spent five decades championing experimental, socially engaged, and genre-hybrid photography that commercial venues often cannot support. The gallery's event space accommodates up to 50 guests and is available for private rentals. During events, guests enjoy the gallery's rotating exhibitions — works by artists whose careers SF Camerawork has helped launch, including photographers who have gone on to international recognition — alongside sweeping views of the bay. The historic Fort Mason setting adds a distinctive architectural backdrop to any gathering. Beyond rentals, SF Camerawork's programming includes critiques, workshops, lectures, and curator-led tours, making it a lively gathering point for San Francisco's photography and arts communities.

• Spaces for 150 Guests
• 1 Outdoor
• 2 Boats
• 2 Waterfront

Channel Islands Boat Cruises operates two private event vessels — the Scarlett Belle and the Starlight — docked at Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard, California. In operation since 2008, the company specializes in all-inclusive private party packages for weddings, corporate events, birthdays, anniversaries, reunions, and themed celebrations. The Scarlett Belle is a paddlewheel riverboat that accommodates up to 150 guests across two spacious decks. It cruises slowly through the calm, protected waters of Channel Islands Harbor, offering panoramic harbor views throughout the event. The Starlight, a larger vessel with three levels, stays docked and accommodates up to 150 guests as well, providing a stable setting with flexible space arrangements across its decks. Both vessels are fully enclosed, weather-protected, and wheelchair accessible at the main deck level. All-inclusive packages cover catered dining, a full-service bar, DJ, and linens in multiple color options. Standard events run three hours; weddings typically four. The setting's protected harbor waters keep both vessels steady and calm, making them suitable for guests of all ages.

• Spaces for 99 Guests
• 1 Meeting Space
• 1 Park

The Griffith Park Visitor Center Auditorium is situated in the heart of Park Center within Griffith Park, one of the largest urban parks in the United States. Located at 4730 Crystal Springs Drive in Los Angeles, the auditorium provides a casual, welcoming setting for meetings, receptions, and special events, accommodating up to 99 guests. Just outside the building, a beautifully landscaped native garden offers additional outdoor gathering space, complete with picnic tables and barbeques. The garden is also home to a striking ceramic mural that traces the history of Griffith Park and pays tribute to two trailblazing Park Rangers who shaped the park's legacy. The auditorium is managed by the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, making it an accessible and established choice for private events, community gatherings, and milestone celebrations in the heart of Los Angeles.

• Spaces for 40-50 Guests
• 1 Restaurant

Newhall Refinery is a gastropub and private event venue located on Main Street in the historic Newhall district of Santa Clarita, California. Known as the Santa Clarita Valley's first gastropub, the restaurant combines farm-to-table American cuisine with twenty rotating craft beers on a custom draught system and handcrafted cocktails, all served in a warm, rustic setting with Edison lighting and wood-paneled ceilings. For private gatherings, Newhall Refinery offers a dedicated private dining room accommodating up to 40 guests, as well as a full restaurant buyout for events of up to 110 guests — spanning the main dining room and private dining room combined. The venue is well suited for birthday celebrations, corporate events, and bridal showers, with customized menu planning available for each event.