Oakland Museum of California

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Oakland Wedding Location
1000 Oak Street
Oakland, CA 94607
Contact: Special Events
Phone: 510/238-2920
www.museumca.org
Request a proposal for your event from Oakland Museum of California

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Why We Like This Place

Since it opened in 1969, the Oakland Museum of California has been one of the city’s most distinctive landmarks. Its dramatic tiered architecture and exhibits highlighting the rich diversity of California’s geography and culture make it obvious that this is no stuffy, antiquated museum fit only for elementary school field trips.

The Oakland Museum of California is built on three levels, with stairs and walkways leading the visitor through the building’s intriguing maze of courtyards, terraces and gardens. A koi pond full of well-fed fish, water lilies and papyrus plants graces the first level. Sculptures and artifacts, such as a replica of an Early California wagon and giant contemporary metal artworks, dot the grounds. The Great Court Gardens, a spacious lawn shaded by deodar cedars, sweet gum and alder trees, is a lovely setting for a wedding, reception, corporate picnic or similar event. Just beyond the Gardens is Rishell Court, an intimate space for smaller gatherings. Concrete pillars topped by planters form two sides of the courtyard; creeping-fig-covered walls form the other two sides. The air is perfumed by swags of Japanese honeysuckle interspersed with mounds of blue cape plumbago and purple lantana. Sunlight pours through the open roof, and a stately blue Atlas cedar provides shade.

Other outdoor venues include the Terraces, which look out on the Gardens, and the Patio, a sunny space that’s enclosed by red and yellow lantana and overlooks the koi pond. Another terrace has a view of Lake Merritt and the Oakland hills. If you happen to be wandering around the Museum grounds and see a perfect spot but don’t find it listed for rent, ask about it. The Oakland Museum will let you reserve almost any of its exterior spaces.

For indoor functions, consider the Museum’s restaurant, which forms a “bridge” over one of the Museum’s main stairways. Two floor-to-ceiling windows allow you to view the koi pond from one side or the bustling Museum patrons from the other; rotating art exhibitions add a homey touch to the walls. The James Moore Theatre and the Lecture Hall are suitable for business meetings and seminars. The theater is used for a multitude of events, such as concerts, theatrical performances and movie screenings.

Most people don’t think of a museum as a potential wedding site, but where the Oakland Museum is concerned, they should. Here, you really can have a garden wedding: Exchange vows under a shady tree canopy surrounded by blooming flowers, and dine al fresco on a terrace with Lake Merritt views. The lake also makes a wonderful backdrop for photos, especially at sunset when the sky is painted with color. As you can see, the Oakland Museum of California offers all sorts of unexpected possibilities.

Capacity

Ceremony

Reception/Special Events

Meetings

Max. Seated Indoors: 120
Max. Seated Outdoors: 2000

Max. Seated Indoors: 160
Max. Seated Outdoors: 2000
Max. Standing Indoors: 225
Max. Standing Outdoors: 2000

Max. Seated: 275

CEREMONY CAPACITY: The Great Court Gardens accommodate up to 2,000 seated or standing guests. The Terrace and Patio areas combined hold 200 seated or 500 standing.

EVENT/RECEPTION CAPACITY: For the Gardens, Terrace and Patio areas, see figures above. The museum restaurant holds 160 seated guests, or 120 with a dance floor and small stage.

MEETING CAPACITY: The James Moore Theatre accommodates 275 seated theater-style; the Lecture Hall holds 100.

Fees & Deposits

To reserve your date, a refundable cleaning/damage deposit plus half of the anticipated total is required. The remaining balance is due 30 days prior to the event. Rental fees for a 4-hour block range $800–2,800 depending on the space reserved. There is a $500 fee for use of the kitchen. Security and other services are an additional charge. The museum garage, with a 175-car capacity, can be rented after regular hours.

Availability

Year-round, daily, 8am–11pm. The museum restaurant is available all day Monday and Tuesday, and after 4pm Wednesday–Sunday, except for the first Friday of each month. The outdoor Terraces and Garden are seasonal areas, available May–October as weather permits.

Catering

BYO

Alcohol

Provided

Sites Uses

Ceremonies
Wedding Receptions
Special Events, Parties
Business Functions/Meetings
Rehearsal Dinners

Services/Amenities

Catering: BYO, licensed and insured
Kitchen Facilities: fully equipped
Tables & Chairs: provided
Linens, Silver, etc.: through caterer
Restrooms: wheelchair accessible
Dance Floor: CBA, extra fee
Bride's Dressing Area: CBA
Meeting Equipment: full range
Parking: museum garage, extra fee
Accommodations: no guestrooms
Telephone: pay phones
Outdoor Night Lighting: CBA or BYO in gardens
Outdoor Cooking Facilities: no
Cleanup: provided or caterer
View: Lake Merritt from upper level
Other: some event coordination provided

Amplified Music

Indoors
Outdoors

Wheelchair Access

Wheelchair Accessible

Site Views

Fountain/Water Feature
Garden
Garden Patio/Courtyard
Hills
Lagoon/Pond
Lake
Landscaped Grounds

Site Type

Museum
Banquet/Events Facility

Restrictions

Alcohol: provided, no BYO
Smoking: outside only
Music: amplified OK
Wheelchair Access: yes
Insurance: required
Other: no rice or birdseed

Contact: Special Events
510/238-2920
www.museumca.org
Email or request a proposal for your event from Oakland Museum of California

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