California Academy of Sciences 55 Music Concourse Dr • San Francisco • CA 94118

Your rental at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco includes private use of the spaces you book after the museum closes to the public, a wedding-ready room starting at 5pm, basic A/V with an A/V technician, on-site security, coat check and custodial staff. You'll pay separately for catering from the Academy's approved list, tables, chairs and linens through your caterer, a professional coordinator (required), the Music Concourse Parking Garage, and extras like A/V upgrades, docent interactions or behind-the-scenes tours.

Yes, you can do both at the Academy. Couples have said their vows in the Coral Reef Theater, on the Piazza, outside the Rainforest and in Tusher African Hall, then moved on to cocktails in the Main Lobby or Aquarium and dinner in African Hall or the Swamp. African Hall seats up to 280 for dinner, and the open-air Piazza is set aside for fair-weather events. Ceremonies and receptions can start as early as 6:30pm.

You'll need a caterer from the California Academy of Sciences' approved list, which includes Betty Zlatchin Catering, Foxtail Catering and Events, McCalls and Taste Catering, all focused on sustainable practices. Alcohol is served through your licensed caterer. You'll also need a professional coordinator, and the Academy can recommend one. Your other vendors are welcome, as long as each one does an on-site walk-through before your event.

Rental at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco runs $15,000–$25,000, depending on which spaces you reserve, from a single hall to the full Academy. That fee doesn't include your caterer, who must come from the approved list, or your required professional coordinator, and tables, chairs and linens come through your caterer. Parking in the Music Concourse Garage is separate too. Academy members don't get event discounts, since all event proceeds support the Academy's mission.

Your celebration at the California Academy of Sciences can start as early as 6:30pm, after the museum closes to the public, and events run until midnight. Your wedding-ready room opens at 5pm, and wedding party photos on the Living Roof happen 5:30–6:30pm. Amplified music is allowed indoors with some restrictions, and basic A/V is included. Events can be held every day except Thursday.

The California Academy of Sciences lets you celebrate inside a natural history museum in Golden Gate Park after hours, with the spaces you book all to yourselves. You can say your vows in the Coral Reef Theater or outside the Rainforest, sip cocktails by the Aquarium, take photos on the Living Roof and have dinner in African Hall. With 15 event spaces, it works for an intimate dinner or a very big wedding, and every event supports the Academy's science and sustainability work.