Top Orinda Venues

• Spaces for 300 Guests

The Lawrence Hall of Science is the public science center of the University of California, Berkeley, perched on the hills above campus at 1 Centennial Drive with sweeping views of the San Francisco Bay. One of the nation's few science centers affiliated with a top-tier public research university, it has been a hub for science education and discovery for more than five decades. The center features a range of interactive exhibit spaces, a planetarium, a 3D theater, an Animal Discovery Zone, and expansive outdoor grounds anchored by the landmark DNA molecule sculpture. Its hillside setting and distinctive Brutalist architecture make it a striking backdrop for events of all kinds. The 'ammatka Cafe offers on-site dining, and the venue is wheelchair accessible. Events can draw on the center's unique combination of indoor gallery and theater spaces alongside open outdoor areas with panoramic Bay Area views.

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 220-250 Guests
• 4 Hotels
• 4 Ballrooms
• 1 Outdoor

The Lafayette Park Hotel & Spa seamlessly blends the perfect San Francisco East Bay location with modern style and thoughtful services and amenities. The Lafayette Park Hotel & Spa is perfect for meetings, weddings and milestone events. The venue offers more than 5,000 square feet of exquisitely designed space, gracefully accommodating up to 220 guests indoors or 250 outdoors. The Lafayette Park Hotel & Spa's team of professional meeting and event planners will handle all the details, from room blocks for out-of-town-wedding guests to exceptional customized catering.

• Spaces for 200 Guests

Amazing is the only way to describe a wedding reception at the Berkeley City Club. With stages and grand pianos for live music, beautiful fireplaces, courtyards, and lots of space for dancing, our Berkeley, CA wedding venue is the ideal location to express your love for your future spouse. Our primary event rooms, the Ballroom and Terrace, are located on the second floor and are rich in history and beauty, making them ideal for organizing a spectacular wedding reception. This floor also has our Member's Lounge, which is open to all members. With variable socially distant room layouts that can accommodate every wedding, as well as varied seating plans, we can accommodate any event. The Berkeley City Club's event spaces are among the most visually arresting in the entire city of Berkeley. Whether you are planning a modest gathering or a lavish wedding, we have an event space that combines a classic vintage setting with top-notch modern amenities.

• Spaces for 350-400 Guests
• 1 Resort

Wildwood Acres Resort is one of the most spectacular outdoor event sites in the Bay Area, nestled in a lush, wooded canyon in Lafayette, CA. The shaded drive in the hills above Burton Valley, located less than 20 miles from the Bay Bridge, will lead you out of a suburban sprawl and into the calm hideaway of Wildwood Acres Resort. The Jegers family has been operating and beautifying Wildwood Acres for three generations, since it was founded in 1954. Weddings and private gatherings of various styles are catered to by us. From Spring through Fall, we specialize in outdoor wedding ceremonies and receptions, as well as interior celebrations all year. We encourage you to come by and experience the magic of Wildwood Acres Resort for yourself. Wildwood Acres Resort offers services for a wide variety of events including: Weddings, Receptions, Anniversaries, Birthday parties, Holiday parties, Family Reunions, Class Reunions, Fundraising Benefits, Business Dinners, Business Events, & Business Trainings Wildwood Acres Resort Facility Capacities: Lodge capacity: 200 standing, 150 seated Outdoor capacity: 400 standing, 350 seated Parking capacity: 100 cars Contact us to set up a time to visit Wildwood Acres and discuss your event with us. As part of our service packages, Wildwood Acres Resort offers the following amenities: On-site Catering (Meals prepared on site) Buffet Style meal service Licensed Beverage Provider Tailored Beverage Services (non-alcoholic to full bar) Beautiful Gardens Tree covered canyon setting Terraced Dining 1000 sq. ft. dance area Day & Evening setting Indoor and Outdoor Available year round

• 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 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.

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 50-100 Guests
• 1 Event Space

Civic Park Community Center is nestled among oak and redwood trees and features immediate access to large grassy areas. A large, lovely gazebo is also available.

• 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 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 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 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.

• 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 130 Guests
• 1 Hotel
• 1 Ballroom

FIND YOUR PASSION IN WALNUT CREEK The Renaissance Walnut Creek Hotel, positioned across from the BART station for quick travels into downtown Oakland or San Francisco, will pique your interest. We are also an excellent starting place for wine excursions in the Napa Valley. Request recommendations or a tour from our Navigator. The Citrus Fresh Café Grill offers everything from smoothies to freshly squeezed juices, as well as a lunch and dinner menu that focuses on California fresh cuisine. With 75" TVs for your favorite sporting event, the dining area has been turned into the ideal environment for after-work food and drinks. Take advantage of complementary fitness classes and our Junior Olympic-sized pool at R Spa, which is part of our hotel's vast fitness facility. Our contemporary event space has two interior spaces and an outdoor patio, as well as skilled event planners. Our upscale hotel rooms have quality linen, flat-screen TVs, an open work desk, and free Wi-Fi. For a separate living area, upgrade to a suite. Weddings About this venue: Nearly 4,000 square feet of exquisite venues are available at our Walnut Creek hotel, making it ideal for modern weddings. In our Renaissance Room, which can accommodate 130 wedding banquet guests, plan an elegant reception. Collaborate with the hotel's culinary team to create mouthwatering wedding celebration menus. From venues to technology, certified wedding consultants can assist you in planning your Walnut Creek event. Our deluxe spa and outstanding full-service fitness center will wow out-of-town wedding guests. Inquire about special accommodation prices for your wedding guests at our Walnut Creek hotel. Events and Meetings: About this venue: For conferences, trainings, and board meetings, book one of our downtown event rooms. Custom catering from our Walnut Creek restaurants will give your guests a taste of California. Close the offer by holding a meeting or giving a presentation near area companies like IBM and Verizon. Modern AV equipment and complementary Wi-Fi are included in all meeting areas, as well as an on-site technician. Use our business center's copy, print, and fax services to get ready for your Walnut Creek event. When you book 10 or more rooms in downtown Walnut Creek, you will receive special group prices.

• Spaces for 300 Guests
• 1 Country Club

Berkeley Country Club is the appropriate venue for your event, whether it's a major wedding, a small business gathering, or a medium-sized celebration. Berkeley Country Club, only 20 minutes from downtown San Francisco, making you feel like you're miles away from the metropolis. Our three banquet rooms provide some of the best views in the San Francisco Bay Area. The views are extensive and stunning, from the San Francisco skyline and Golden Gate Bridge to the Marin Headlands and Mount Tamalpais. Our warmly illuminated banquet rooms create an equally spectacular setting for all of our country club parties and weddings in California once the sun sets over the Bay. The clubhouse, designed by renowned Bay Area architect W. H. Ratcliff in the 1920s, is a magnificent example of English Tudor Revival architecture. Berkeley Country Club also offers world-class cuisine and is happy to make special arrangements for groups with certain dietary requirements.

• 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 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 175-350 Guests
• 1 Boat

Weddings: Choose one of our 6 luxury yachts as a unique venue for your perfect Wedding, Milestone Anniversary or Vow Renewal event … Imagine, the City-by-the-Bay as the perfect backdrop for your nuptials! Our Wedding Specialist will plan the celebration of your dreams, down to the minute detail, on a budget that you can afford. Make it memorable for you and your guests at Commodore! Corporate Events: Commodore is the greatest bargain for anything from entertaining clients to organizing a company outing, holding a business conference to introducing new products, and more. Give your group more than a boat for a comparable price; give them a luxury yacht with fine cuisine, live entertainment, impeccable service, and spectacular skyline views while cruising. Any function that can be held in a regular event room can be held on a Commodore Luxury Yacht while taking in the sights of the Bay. Year round, let us host your corporate and holiday event in the unique, opulent setting of a luxury yacht. We are professionals in what we do at Commodore Cruises & Events. Allow our years of successful experience to work for you and handle the planning, preparation, and execution of your event so you can relax and enjoy it. All Occasions: Commodore will make your special occasion genuinely unique. Enjoy fresh, inventive meals made on board. Commodore, as the world's most recognized wine fleet, can give a personal Sommelier for your special event upon request, allowing our staff to construct your customized menu. Commodore is a one-of-a-kind location for: - Birthday parties - Bar / Bat Mitzvahs - Quinceañeras - Retirement Celebrations - Graduations - Family Reunions - Dinner Cruises - Booze Cruises - Senior Outings - Religious Groups - Album Release Party - Dance Party - Any Special Occasion!

• Spaces for 200 Guests

Sequoyah Country Club is a private, member-owned country club set in the Oakland hills of Northern California, tucked among redwoods and rolling terrain just outside the city. Founded in 1913 and housed in a Spanish Colonial-style clubhouse, the club offers a timeless setting for weddings, corporate gatherings, milestone celebrations, and private events of all kinds. With over 8,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space, Sequoyah Country Club accommodates gatherings ranging from intimate celebrations to large receptions of up to 350 guests. Elegant indoor rooms with vaulted ceilings and sweeping views pair with an outdoor lawn overlooking the golf course and surrounding landscape. In-house catering and full-service bar are available for all events. An experienced events team — including a dedicated Catering & Events Manager and Clubhouse Manager — guides clients from planning through execution, offering access to tables, chairs, linens, flatware, glassware, A/V equipment, and parking on site.