CEREMONY/RECEPTION

Sam’s Chowder House

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Half Moon Bay Wedding Venue
4210 North Cabrillo Highway
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
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Contact: Director of Special Events
Phone: 650/712-0245
www.samschowderhouse.com

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Why We Like This Place

Oh, Sam’s Chowder House in glorious Half Moon Bay, how do brides love thee? Let us count the ways! They love thee for your warm, welcoming atmosphere and waterfront setting; they love thee for your fresh, delicious cuisine; they love thee for your savvy, unpretentious service and versatile, oceanview event spaces. (Pssst…if you haven’t met Sam’s yet, be prepared to be swept off your feet!)

Perched on a beachside bluff, this sublime restaurant, with its Cape Cod-style façade and hearty menu that’s more surf than turf, was inspired by the traditional seafood houses of New England. Yet Sam’s also evokes a California-casual sensibility that makes even refined celebrations feel relaxed and cheerful. The interior is decked out with wood and windows that frame scenic snapshots in all directions: seabirds soaring over the blue Pacific…sailboats moored at the neighboring harbor…sweethearts strolling hand in hand along the shore. A ramble of banquet rooms and refreshing sea-scented terraces (all with windbreaks and heaters) provide an array of mix-and-match event options.

The private Harbor View Room boasts a dark hardwood floor and a fireplace, especially cozy during the cooler seasons. It opens onto its own terrace, lined with Adirondack chairs and fire pits, offering a comfortable vantage for sipping cocktails and admiring sunsets. The South Beach Bar is a private, two-level patio with an informal, beach-shack vibe and built-in bar. While it sports café tables with colorful umbrellas, this festive space has room for long banquet tables, too—and it’s also dog-friendly if you tie the knot here and happened to bring your pup along to serve as ring bearer. Planning a large bash? Then consider buying out the entire restaurant, including the Main Dining Room with its marble-topped oyster bar and row of picture windows.

Yet another reason brides love Sam’s is for its private Beachfront Lawn, a sand-skimming meadow outfitted with umbrellas, strings of lights, and appropriate event accouterments. The staff will set up your wedding arch for picturesque “I do"s right on the beach, with the gentle whoosh of the waves enhancing the naturally romantic ambiance. Guests then dine at long tables, arranged family-style, on the lawn.

Sam’s super-scrumptious menu focuses on sustainable and locally sourced ingredients. With so many culinary temptations to choose from, we have a hot tip: Opt for Sam’s famous three-course Lobster Clambake, prepared right in front of your guests. Whole Maine lobsters, clams, mussels, Andouille sausage, red potatoes and fresh ears of corn layered with seaweed are steamed in authentic New England-style wooden boxes, and served along with clam chowder and other tasty accompaniments. Add a raw seafood bar and margaritas to your cocktail hour, and let the flavorful aroma of the cooking feast create mouth-watering anticipation. Mmmmm…

Amazingly, all of this food and fun is value priced—there are no rental fees, just food and bever-age minimums. Sam’s Director of Special Events will help you sort it all out to match your wed-ding vision. By the way, wedding couples aren’t the only ones that have fallen for Sam’s. Since its opening in 2006, the award-winning restaurant has garnered an impressive string of accolades. Which just goes to prove our point that to know Sam’s is to love Sam’s, for oh so many reasons.

Already found the perfect spot for your celebration? Sam’s ChowderMobile, the mobile gourmet catering version of Sam’s Chowder House, can also bring a seafood feast right to your location!

Capacity

Ceremony

Reception/Special Events

Meetings

Max. Seated Indoors: 60
Max. Seated Outdoors: 200

Max. Seated Indoors: 200
Max. Seated Outdoors: 100
Max. Standing Indoors: 200
Max. Standing Outdoors: 150

Max. Seated: 200

CEREMONY CAPACITY: The site can accommodate 60 seated indoors and 200 seated outdoors. Indoor ceremonies are not recommended.

EVENT/RECEPTION & MEETING CAPACITY: Indoors, the entire restaurant holds 200 seated or standing guests, private room Mavericks holds 20 seated, the Ocean Terrace room holds 40 seated, and the Harbor View Room holds 60 seated. Outdoors, the Beachfront Lawn area holds 100 seated or 150 standing, and Sam’s South Beach Bar holds 60 seated or 80 standing.

Fees & Deposits

An event date can be held for 4 days without a deposit. 50% of the estimated event total, a signed contract and credit card authorization are required to reserve your date. The balance is due on the day of the event. There is no room rental fee, but food and beverage minimums apply and vary depending on space rented. Lunch and dinner range $35–75/person. Tax, alcohol and a 20% service charge are additional.

Cancellation charges will be applied if notice is given 30 days or less before the confirmed event date.

Availability

Year-round daily, 11am–10pm, except major holidays.

Catering

Provided

Alcohol

Provided

Location Uses

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

Services/Amenities

Catering: provided
Kitchen Facilities: n/a
Tables & Chairs: provided
Linens, Silver, etc.: provided
Restrooms: wheelchair accessible
Dance Floor: CBA
Bride’s Dressing Area: yes
Meeting Equipment: CBA, extra charge
Parking: large lot, valet CBA
Accommodations: no guest rooms
Telephone: emergency use only
Outdoor Night Lighting: provided
Outdoor Cooking Facilities: yes
Cleanup: provided
View: harbor and Pacific Ocean
Other: cakes, flowers, music CBA, event coordination

Amplified Music

Indoors
Outdoors

Wheelchair Access

Wheelchair Accessible

Site Views

Coastline
Ocean/Bay
Panoramic

Venue Type

Banquet Hall/Events Facility
Restaurant
Waterfront/Beach Location

Restrictions

Alcohol: provided, full bar, no BYO
Smoking: not allowed
Music: amplified OK
Wheelchair Access: yes
Insurance: not required

Wedding Venues > Northern California Wedding Venues > Peninsula Wedding Venues

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