Rockefeller Lodge • San Pablo • CA

Have you always wanted to do something a bit different? Maybe have a Victorian theme in one room and French lace and balloons in another? Or perhaps treat your guests to milk and cookies baked on the spot? Whatever your fantasy, the lodge's proprietors would love the challenge of making your special event a reality.

Tucked within a quiet, treelined San Pablo neighborhood, the historic, two-acre garden lodge is named for famed industrialist John D. Rockefeller who purchased the property around the turn of the century and turned it into his private hunting lodge. The brown-shingled building and its spacious interior retain a rustic dignity, thanks to hardwood floors, hand-hewn ceiling beams, and a noteworthy fireplace: Rockefeller had it constructed of burnt bricks recovered from the 1906 earthquake. These days, receptions and company parties enjoy the venue's cozy comfort all year round.

During its illustrious past, the property had once been a Japanese Buddhist temple and the current owners, the Marshall family, have retained the retreat's fragrant, woodsy serenity. Indeed, it's the lush grounds that attract most wedding couples. Winding brick paths and wisteria-covered arbors invite leisurely strolls, and splashing fountains lull guests into relaxed contentment. Wedding ceremonies are held on a red-bricked patio, with the couple saying their vows in a gazebo framed by redwoods. A separate patio area can host the reception, or during warmer months why not dine in the twinkle-lit gardens beneath a moonlit sky?

With its diverse past, versatile rooms and enchanting grounds, the lodge can accommodate a wide range of creativity. As it turns out, the Marshalls also run Party Time Catering, so they're just the folks to help you pull it all together no matter what you envision.