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San Francisco Zoo

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San Francisco Wedding Venue
One Zoo Road
San Francisco, CA 94132
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Contact: Tastes of the Wild at the SF Zoo
Phone: 415/753-7236
www.sfzoo.org
  Request more information from San Francisco Zoo
if you would mention that you found San Francisco Zoo on the Here Comes The Guide website.






San Francisco Zoo


Why We Like This Place

Visions of children, giraffes and kettle corn spring to mind when most of us imagine a city zoo, and you’ll certainly find all these things here. But the San Francisco Zoo is not just a great hangout for kids and animals. These days, the 75-year-old, 100-acre zoological park has developed a reputation as a charming and upscale location for a variety of special events—especially weddings!

Exposed wooden beams and a giant fireplace add a rustic, inviting quality to the Great Hall in the Education Center, the zoo’s most popular place to host cocktails or a sit-down dinner with dancing. Large pillars made of knotty logs support the high, peaked ceiling, while several smoked-glass chandeliers light up the space. Along the walls, brass lamp fixtures in the shape of koala bears are a fitting touch. The adjoining wetlands patio, which wraps around the building, offers a relaxing taste of nature. Cocktails are often served here, and guests can flow freely indoors and out. The patio also works well for small ceremonies.

If you have a large group and the sky’s the limit, consider hosting your event in the Event Tent. Peaked, white and spacious, it can be transformed into your very own wonderland.

For a fanciful pre-dinner cocktail reception, the historic Dentzel Carousel building is an inspired choice. The round, freestanding structure houses the recently restored Dentzel Carousel, a working merry-go-round with dozens of colorful hand-carved horses and a menagerie of other animals. Guests are encouraged to hop on and take a ride during an event, and the authentic calliope music adds to the whimsical atmosphere (you can also bring in your own CDs if you prefer).

If getting married in the great outdoors suits your fancy, the well-groomed grounds of the park provide a number of ceremony options. The most sought-after site is right in the middle of the expansive African Savanna, one of the zoo’s newer exhibits. Here, you not only have privacy after zoo hours, but your guests enjoy the company of zebra, kudu, ostrich and other African animals. Another, larger location is the broad Playfield Lawn, which stretches between the Children’s Zoo and playground. This wide-open space is bordered by trees and flowering bushes.

Would you like to socialize with some of the local residents? Request a private giraffe feeding (you get to hand-feed them!) or an “Animal Encounter,” a unique program that lets you get up close and personal with a selection of wildlife. Trained staff will bring owls, hawks, ferrets, snakes, baby alligators or other small critters to your festivities, giving your guests a chance to do something really “wild.” This is a great conversation starter and leaves a lasting impression.

Everyone will also be impressed with Taste of the Wild Catering Co., the exclusive on-site caterer behind every event at the San Francisco Zoo. They’ll design a celebration to match your needs, be it a BBQ buffet or an elegant dinner. Their creativity, excellent customer service and great food will ensure that your event makes the most out of this extraordinary setting.

Capacity

Ceremony

Reception/Special Events

Meetings

Max. Seated Indoors: 250
Max. Seated Outdoors: 300 		Max. Seated Indoors: 220
Max. Seated Outdoors: 320
Max. Standing Indoors: 300
Max. Standing Outdoors: 500 		Max. Seated: 300

CEREMONY CAPACITY: The Zoo holds up to 300 guests seated indoors or outdoors.

EVENT/RECEPTION CAPACITY: Indoors, the Zoo accommodates up to 220 seated or 300 standing guests; outdoors up to 320 seated or 500 standing guests

MEETING CAPACITY: Meeting spaces hold up to 300 guests seated theater-style.

Fees & Deposits

50–100% of the facility rental fee is the deposit required to reserve your date. The balance is due 5 days prior to the event. Rental fees range $1,500–5,000 depending on the venue(s) selected and time rented. Meals range $32.50–65/person. Tax, alcohol and a 20% service charge are additional.

Availability

Year-round, daily, 8am–11pm (or until midnight for an extra fee).

Catering

Provided

Alcohol

Provided
BYO w/ Corkage Fee

Location Uses

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

Services/Amenities

Catering: provided
Parking: on street
Kitchen Facilities: fully equipped
Accommodations: no guestrooms
Tables & Chairs: some provided
Telephone: pay phones
Linens, Silver, etc.: CBA, extra charge
Outdoor Night Lighting: yes
Restrooms: wheelchair accessible
Outdoor Cooking Facilities: CBA
Dance Floor: yes
Cleanup: provided
Bride’s & Groom’s Dressing Area: CBA
View: landscaped grounds, park, garden
Meeting Equipment: CBA, extra charge

Amplified Music

Indoors

Wheelchair Access

Wheelchair Accessible

Site Views

Forest/Wooded Area
Garden
Garden Patio/Courtyard
Lagoon/Pond
Landscaped Grounds
Park

Venue Type

Banquet Hall/Events Facility
Park
Other

Restrictions

Alcohol: provided or BYO with corkage fee
Wheelchair Access: yes
Smoking: outdoors only
Insurance: not required
Music: amplified OK indoors
Other: no rice, birdseed, glitter, balloons or confetti


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