Sequoyah Country Club 4550 Heafey Road • Oakland • California 94605

It's easy to miss this very private venue, hidden high in the East Bay Hills amid rolling greens and gardens and the husky rustle of the giant sequoias—or sequoyahs, as the Native Americans called these massive redwoods.

Once the chic enclave of a privileged few, today this delightfully sequestered setting is open to anyone with the presence of mind to book it for a special celebration. Tuxedoes and evening gowns are no longer de rigueur here, but the style and panache that has distinguished the club since its inception remains. The graceful Spanish Colonial-style clubhouse, situated prominently above budding olive trees and bright beds of flowers, still plays host to spectacular parties.

At the top of the clubhouse steps, the front Patio seems the perfect place for guests to congregate. Its comfortable furnishings, several fire pits, and panoramic vista make it well suited for standing cocktails and passed hors d'oeuvres, but you may prefer to kick things off inside where other inspiring options await.

As you walk down the long Terrace Hallway, you can't help but appreciate the high, beamed ceiling; arches and columns; and lantern-style chandeliers—a combination of features that reflect the architectural charm of the building. The hallway opens onto the Terrace Room, a grand space that has clearly been designed with balls and extravaganzas in mind: Its vaulted, beamed ceiling, tremendous wrought-iron chandeliers, and wall of gleaming, wood-framed glass terrace doors convey an effortless elegance and refinement. The Terrace Room opens to a patio and pool, so guests can step outdoors on a moonlit evening and take in the cool night air.

The Terrace Room is bookended by the Terrace Bar and Boardroom (the groomsmen will love its woodsy feeling) and the fashionably bright and uplifting Sequoyah Room. These, like the larger Bay View Room across the hall, reflect the club's classy yet welcoming ambiance. There's even a cozy private chamber upstairs with a sitting area just outside. Here the country club's practiced and ultra-courteous staff can serve up a nerve-calming glass of champagne or quick bite for the bride and her entourage. This room can double as a pretty children's playroom, too.

For outdoor ceremonies or gatherings taking place on one of the East Bay's many sunny days, we suggest the picturesque Terrace Lawn. It's superlative spot for celebrants to bask in the property's stunning surroundings.

Indoors or out, Sequoyah Country Club provides an environment where you and your fortunate guests can flow smoothly from one event space to the next with ease, enjoying every moment to the fullest.