Grand Events
To learn more about the atmosphere and history of each site, please click on its name below:
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
CONCOURSE EXHIBITION CENTER
CRANEWAY PAVILLION
THE DE YOUNG MUSEUM
THE EXPLORATORIUM
FORT MASON CENTER
THE GALLERIA DESIGN CENTER
HILLER AVIATION
HYDE STREET PIER
OLD MINT
PIER 35
SAN FRANCISCO CITY HALL
TENTS AND UNIQUE SETTINGS
USS HORNET
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
Web: http://www.calacademy.org/visit/plan_an_event/
A four story rainforest, underwater aquarium, living coral reef, planetarium and natural history museum all under one living roof. 12 Stunning settings.
Location: 55 Music Concourse Drive , Golden Gate Park
Accommodates: Intimate weddings to extravaganzas for 3,000 guests
CONCOURSE EXHIBITION CENTER
What was once a railroad warehouse has been transformed into a 125,000 square-foot contemporary glass and steel pavilion in the heart of the city’s design center district and just minutes from downtown hotels.
Imagination and creativity can transform this versatile space into whatever a group desires.
Location: 635 8th Street, San Francisco (South of Market)
Accommodates: Up to 6,000 guests for banquets or 10,000 for receptions.
CRANEWAY PAVILLION
Once a Ford Model A factory, the just-renovated Craneway Pavillion features a soaring, industrial-chic interior, breathtaking waterfront views of San Francisco, Oakland, and Berkeley, and state-of-the-art infrastructure.
The Craneway is located in the heart of the East Bay, minutes from Marin and Berkeley, and features a private wharf for short ferry rides from San Francisco.
The Craneway can accommodate up to 2,100 guests for seated events and up to 5,000 guests for receptions.
Location: 1414 Harbour Way South, Richmond Marina District
Accommodates: Up to 2,100 seated, 5,000 standing
THE DE YOUNG MUSEUM
Web: http://deyoung.famsf.org/about/rentals
Nestled in the heart of Golden Gate Park, the new de Young museum is a fascinating and exciting new venue for special events in San Francisco. Newly reborn after undergoing a dramatic $200M transformation, the new de Young Museum creates great interest for any celebration. From the embossed copper façade with no two panels alike to the collection of priceless works of art, the de Young promises to create an experience unlike any other. Guests will delight in privately touring the newest and most unique event venue in San Francisco while becoming part of the historical reopening of a cultural institution that has been part of San Francisco for over 100 years.
Accommodates: Banquets of up to 500 guests, receptions of up to 2,000 guests.
THE EXPLORATORIUM
Web: http://www.exploratorium.edu/
The Exploratorium is housed in the romantic Palace of Fine Arts, the last architectural remnant of the 1915 Panama Pacific Exposition with its Roman columns and swan lagoon and one of San Francisco’s most photographed venues.
This hands-on science museum brings out the child in us all. It includes hundreds of inter-active exhibits that will keep guests busy for hours exploring sound, motion, color, electricity and how things work.
Location: 3601 Lyon Street, San Francisco
Accommodates: up to 600 guests for banquets and up to 2,500 guests for receptions
FORT MASON CENTER
Web: http://www.fortmason.org/
Perched on historic piers projecting into the San Francisco, Bay Fort Mason’s vast Herbst and Festival Pavilions offer versatile space for large groups.
The former military base, now a national historic landmark and part of the Golden Gate Recreation Area, is a short transfer from downtown hotels.
The Herbst Pavilion can handle a capacity of up to 3000 people and the Festival Pavilion up to 5000.
Location: Main Office, Building A, San Francisco
Accommodates: Up to 5,000 guests
THE GALLERIA DESIGN CENTER
Groups choosing San Francisco Design Center’s Galleria will find themselves in an architectural gem – a four-story atrium with a retractable skylight that opens to the stars – set in the heart of the city’s design district.
Lined with three levels of balconies so guests can observe the action below, the space features polished light maple floors ideal for dancing, a bar and a professional stage for bands. Hundreds of glittering lights add to the ambiance.
Location: 101 Henry Adams
Accommodates: Banquets from 240 up to 1,200 guests, and receptions of up to 1,600 guests.
HILLER AVIATION
Web: http://www.hiller.org/facility.shtml
South Bay- Explore the Skies
The Hiller Aviation Institute, a non-profit organization, brings together historical, educational and technological resources to create programs which increase public understanding of science and aviation and inspire new opportunities.
The Hiller Aviation Institute is dedicated to the dreams of flight – looking back into aviation’s history while exploring its future. The experience is educational and entertaining casting new light onto the technical innovations. Before you leave, you’ll be transformed from visitor to explorer.
The mission of Hiller Aviation is to stimulate and engage our communities to discover the past, celebrate the present and imagine the future of aviation with a focus on unique technological innovations and innovators
The Museum has an open design with vintage and futuristic aircraft, prototypes, photographic displays, and models on display, which makes it easier to pull off a great themed party.
Located: 601 Skyway, San Carlos
Accommodates: Up to 1,300 Guests
HYDE STREET PIER
Steep yourself in SF’s maritime history along the picturesque bay at the foot of Russian Hill. At the historic Hyde Street Pier, a worthy assortment of old-time wooden ships creates the authentic Barbary Coast setting.
The most impressive is the square-rigged Balclutha, which rounded the Horn many times throughout its illustrious history.
OLD MINT
Web: http://www.themintproject.org/rent_the_mint.html
Accommodates: Up to 600 Guests
South of Market- The Granite Lady
Recent preservation work has restored the historic fabric of this National Landmark, enabling groups to take advantage of its raw form, currently unencumbered by exhibit environments and artifact cases.
In just the last 12 months, more than 20 organizations have held great events throughout the Mint’s unique historical spaces. Comfortable capacities range for as few as 10 people for intimate gatherings to up to 400 guests for large events. Whether you’re looking to host a memorable dinner, a cocktail party, or a corporate meeting, your guests will enjoy an exceptional and unique atmosphere that embraces the history and culture of the San Francisco Bay Area.
Mint Plaza
For larger groups, additional rental space is available in Mint plaza, adjacent to the Old Mint Building. The Mint Plaza is easily accessible through the ground floor entrance if The Old Mint and can be used in conjunction with events in the building, providing an additional outdoor option in the heart of the city.
Located: Fifth and Market, San Francisco
PIER 35
Gateway to cruise ship visitors, Pier 35 sits along the Embarcadero and provides a unique setting with an unobstructed view of the bay, Treasure Island and the Bay Bridge. The main floor and an upstairs venue are both used for events.
At night, lights from the city and Telegraph Hill twinkle in the distance adding magic to the atmosphere.
Location: Pier 35, The Embarcadero, San Francisco
Accommodates: Between 200 and 499 guests for banquets and up to 1000 for receptions
SAN FRANCISCO CITY HALL
Web: http://sfgsa.org/index.aspx?page=983
The 24-carat gleaming gold dome of City Hall shines above the Civic Center district welcoming guests to what is arguably the city’s most impressive venue for events.
The spectacular 1915 Beaux Arts national historic landmark boasts a breathtaking marble grand staircase leading into a rotunda surrounded by two stories of balconies. Soft lighting illuminates the architectural highlights and sheds a glow on all those below. The Rotunda seats up to 642 for banquets and handles up to 1240 for receptions.
The North and South Light Courts are also available, accommodating 430 and 420 guests for banquets and 870 and 840 for receptions.
Location: 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco
Accommodates: 200 to 800 guests for banquets and up to 2,500 for receptions.
TENTS AND UNIQUE SETTINGS
Create your own space wherever you wish to have your event. By the water, in a scenic field, on a whole city block. It’s like building your own city in such locations as Crissy Field, Pier 32, Grace Cathedral, or the Rodin courtyard of the Palace of the Legion of Honor.
Versatile, create whatever statement you wish to make, opaque, clear or translucent walls and ceilings, take light beautifully. A sense of occasion and privacy. From intimate to as large as 10,000.
USS HORNET
Web: http://www.uss-hornet.org/
Step aboard this 17-story floating national landmark and become a part of history. The eighth in a line of distinguished U.S. naval vessels, the Hornet served the U.S. in the Pacific during World War II.
Today it serves as one of the Bay Area’s most unique venues for theme parties and events. Guests can dance the night away on the flight deck or enjoy a banquet in a hangar bay or a more intimate dinner in the officers’ quarters.
Location: Pier 3, Alameda Point, Alameda
Accommodates: 30 to 2000 guests for banquets in the hangar bay, 150 in the officers’ quarters.