Surround an event with exotic plants, wild animals, ancient history, or contemporary art. Museums, galleries, aquariums, and zoos are interesting and educational settings for events, and San Francisco has a wide variety of different places to choose from.
Aquarium of the Bay
415-623-5300
Pier 39, Beach Street, San Francisco
Aquarium of the Bay is a 65,000 square feet non profit marine nature center with over 20,000 aquatic animals. The aquarium offers children’s birthday party packages, sleepovers for youth groups, and day programs for kids. The Aquarium can be rented for events with up to 550 people. The Farallon Room is available for smaller events.
Asian Art Museum
415-581-3500
200 Larkin Street, San Francisco
The Asian Art Museum features a collection of over 17,000 works of art spanning over 6,000 years. The museum offers group rates and private group tours. The museum has indoor and outdoor spaces available for events. Samsung Hall accommodates events with up to 350 people. The North and South Courts each accommodate up to 300 people. Logia is a u-shaped balcony that accommodates up to 175 people. The Peterson Room accommodates up to 60 people. The Fisher Room accommodates up to 25 people. Outdoor tents can be used for events with up to 2,000 people.
The California Academy of Sciences
415-379-8000
55 Music Concourse Dr, San Francisco
The California Academy of Sciences is located in a 412,000 square feet green building with a 3 ½ acre living roof, a solar canopy, walls insulated with recycled blue jeans, and a water reclamation system. The museum’s exhibits include a coral reef exhibit and a 4 story tropical rainforest with live animals. The museum has 12 different settings available for events and can accommodate up to 3,000 guests.
The California Historical Society
415-357-1848
678 Mission Street, San Francisco
The California Historical Society is located in the Yerba Buena Gardens area of San Francisco. The museum houses a collection of artwork and artifacts from California’s past. The museum is available to rent for meetings, conferences, receptions, and other events.
Cartoon Art Museum
415-227-8666 / 415- CARTOON
781 Beach Street, San Francisco
The Cartoon Art Museum is located in the Yerba Buena district around the corner from the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. The museum houses over 6,000 pieces of original art, animation, and cartoons. The museum is available to rent for events with up to 226 people.
Chandler Fine Art and Framing
415-546-1113
145 Natoma Street, San Francisco
Chandler Fine Art and Framing is located in the SOMA area of San Francisco, next door to the St Regis Hotel. Chandler’s small art gallery is available to rent for events.
Chinese Cultural Center
415-986-1822
750 Kearny Street, San Francisco
The Chinese Cultural Central is located in downtown San Francisco at the Hilton Hotel. The Center is 20,000 square feet with a 299 seat auditorium, 2,935 square feet gallery, a book shop, classrooms, and offices. The auditorium is available for events with up to 400 people. The Wells Fargo Room accommodates events with up to 26 people.
The Chinese Historical Society of America
415-391-1188 x101
985 Clay St, San Francisco
The Chinese Historical Society of America Museum is located in a historic building in San Francisco’s Chinatown. The two level museum has multiple spaces available to rent for events. The 10,000 square feet gallery floor accommodates up to 200 people. The 400 square feet Learning Center accommodates up to 60 people.
Conservatory of Flowers
415-831-2090
100 John F. Kennedy Drive, San Francisco
The Conservatory of Flowers is a living museum of rare and exotic plants located in Golden Gate Park. The Conservatory is available for weddings and other events. The 2,500 square feet Orchid Gallery accommodates standing events with up to 300 people or seated events with up to 150 people. The front lawn accommodates standing events with up to 500 people or seated events with up to 250 people. The Potted Plants Gallery is available for ceremonies with up to 50 people.
Contemporary Jewish Museum
415-655-7800
736 Mission St., San Francisco
The Contemporary Jewish Museum is a modern 63,000 square feet facility that incorporates features from the 1907 Jessie Street PG&E Power Substation. The museum has spaces available for special events such as wedding receptions, bar mitzvah celebrations, performances, parties, and banquets. The 5,200 square feet Koret-Taube Grand Lobby accommodates receptions with up to 375 people or seated events with up to 150 people. The 2,100 square feet Stephen and Maribelle Leavitt Yud Gallery accommodates receptions with up to 150 people or seated events with up to 100 people. The 3,500 square feet Richard and Rhoda Goldman Hall accommodate receptions with up to 235 people or seated meals with up to 180 people. The 1,200 square feet Sala Webb Education Center Classrooms accommodate up to 80 people.
De Young Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco
415-750-3600
233 Post Street, San Francisco
The De Young Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco is a 293,000 square feet Art Museum with additional outdoor sculpture gardens. The museum has several spaces available to rent for events including an auditorium, galleries, and gardens. The museum can accommodate events with up to 2,000 people.
Exploratorium
415-528-4444
Pier 15 at Green Street, San Francisco
Exploratorium is an interactive museum that allows visitors to explore science, art, and perception. The museum offers party packages and has facilities available to rent for events. The entire facility can accommodate up to 2,500 guests or seated dinners for up to 400 guests. The Mezzanine Level can accommodate events with 50 to 400 guests. The McBean Theater seats 125 people and features a stage and projection screen.
Haas-Lilienthal House
415-441-3000 x14
2007 Franklin Street, San Francisco
The Haas Lilienthal House is an 1886 Queen Anne Victorian that offers tours and serves as a museum.
The house is available to rent for receptions with up to 150 people or seated meals with up to 100 people.
Hang Art
415-434-4264
567 Sutter Street, San Francisco
Hang Art is a contemporary art gallery located in the Union Square area of San Francisco. The gallery is available to rent for events with up to 75 guests.
Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts
415-821-1155
2868 Mission Street, San Francisco
The Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts is dedicated to preserving, promoting, and developing the Central and South American, Chicano, and Caribbean art and cultures. The Center has facilities available to rent for events. The 2,162 square feet theater seats up to 150 people and has a 950 square feet lobby. The center also has two galleries, a café, a meeting room, and studios.
Museum of the African Diaspora – Mood
415-358-7200
685 Mission St, San Francisco
The Museum of the African Diaspora is a museum that celebrates the history, culture, and art of the African people. The museum is located next to MoMa and the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. The museum facilities are available to rent for events.
Randall Museum
415-554-9600
199 Museum Way, San Francisco
Randall Museum is a museum for children and adults to explore wildlife, the arts, and science. The museum offers birthday party packages for kids.
Root Division
415-863-7668
1131 Mission St., San Francisco
Root Division is a art community space with classes, workshops, and galleries. The facility has a 2,000 square feet gallery with a small stage and a kitchen available for events.
S.S. Jeremiah O’Brien
415-544-0100
45 Pier, San Francisco
The S.S. Jeremiah O’Brien is a Liberty ship that was constructed and used during World War II and currently serves as a museum. The ship is available to rent for dockside events and private cruises. The entire ship accommodates up to 800 passengers or up to 300 people indoors.
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
415-357-4000
151 3rd Street, San Francisco
The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art features a collection of 26,000 works of art, photography, and design. The museum provides a sophisticated setting for events. The 6,500 square feet Haas Atrium accommodates standing events with up to 650 people or seated events with up to 350 people. The 3,400 square feet Schwab Room accommodates standing events with up to 250 people or seated events with up to 200 people. The 1,500 square feet Café Museo Expansion accommodates standing events with up to 150 people or seated events with up to 100 people. The Phyllis Wattis Theater seats up to 278 people.
San Francisco Zoo
415-753-7080
Sloat Blvd., San Francisco
The San Francisco Zoo is a fun place to hold weddings, receptions, parties, picnics, and other events. The Bernard Osher Great Hall is a large room with a stone fireplace that accommodates up to 300 people. The Leaping Lemur Café is an octagon shaped room that accommodates up to 175 people. The Lemur Private Event Room accommodates up to 60 guests. The Carousel Building features a 1920 carousel and accommodates up to 150 guests. Classrooms 1 and 2 each accommodate up to 50 guests. The Playfield Lawn accommodates outdoor events with up to 2,000 people. The Event Tent is available for events with up to 400 people. The African Savanna is available for receptions with up to 150 guests.
SF Camerawork
415-487-1011
1011 Market Street, San Francisco
SF Camerawork features photography exhibitions and education. The 3,200 square feet Gallery and the 640 square feet Education Center are available to rent for parties and events.
The Society of California Pioneers
415-957-1849
300 4th Street, San Francisco
The Society of California Pioneers is a museum and library focusing on California’s history. The Society’s 1,160 square feet Joseph and Mildred Rolph Moore Gallery is available for standing events with up to 125 people or seated meals with up to 48 people.
SOMArts Cultural Center
415-863-1414 x 105
934 Brannan St, San Francisco
SOMArts Cultural Center has facilities available for events including exhibition, performance and rehearsal space, meeting rooms, and classrooms. The 3,200 square feet Bay Gallery has 4,000 square feet of wall space plus movable walls that can be configured for exhibitions. The 1,890 square feet black box theater has 140 chairs and can accommodate additional seating. Theater rental includes use of the kitchen and lobby. The Patio and Grounds are also available for events.
Terra Mia
415-642-9911
1314 Castro St, San Francisco, CA
Terra Mia is a decorative art studio where people can create functional works of art. The private party room is available for groups with up to 14 people. The main studio can accommodate groups with up to 55 people.
Walt Disney Family Museum
415-345-6800
104 Montgomery Street, San Francisco
The Walt Disney Family Museum is located in the Presidio of San Francisco, a former military base. The museum consists of three historic buildings. The Main Building’s lobby, café, and porch can accommodate events with up to 200 people. The theater seats 114 people. The Riley Building’s Special Exhibition Hall can accommodate events with up to 250 people.
Wax Museum at Fisherman’s Wharf
886-223-4240
145 Jefferson Street, San Francisco
The Wax Museum at Fisherman’s Wharf is a four story, 100,000 square feet museum with over 200 wax figures. The museum makes a unique setting for private parties and events with up to 400 people.
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
415-978-2700
701 Mission Street, San Francisco
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts includes two buildings with galleries, a film screening room, and a theater. The Center has several venues available to rent for events. The 6,700 square feet Forum accommodates up to 850 people and opens into the East Garden which can be rented with the Forum. The 2,200 square feet Grand Lobby accommodates up to 350 people. The Novellus Theater seats 757 people and features a proscenium stage. The Theater Terrace lobbies accommodate up to 400 people. The 952 square feet Screening Room seats up to 94 people and features an 11/x15’ screen, a stage, and film and video projection equipment.
Children’s Creativity Museum
415-820-3320
221 4th St, San Francisco
The Children’s Creativity Museum is an interactive, educational, and fun museum for children. The museum offers birthday packages with use of a private birthday room and museum admission for up to 20 people. The museum can accommodate events with up to 500 people. Event spaces include the Main Gallery, the Animators’ Studio, the Karaoke Production Lab, the Digital Workshop, Studio Z, the Rooftop Terrace, and the 200 seat theater.