From architectural gems designed by 20th century masters to the sophistication of urban theater, the Northern California coast is brimming with cultural, historic and artistic settings that make for inspiring and even awe-inspiring events.
Often set in the region’s astounding natural beauty along the Pacific coast, redwood forests, the Wine Country or in thriving Silicon Valley and the city of San Francisco, these are unique settings that can engage and enliven groups.
Event venues are added each year as museums, cultural institutions, theater companies and others look to expand revenue streams.
“As new venues have come into the landscape, great care has been taken to ensure their physical space lends itself to successful events,” says Lisa Hasenbalg, senior director of arts and culture strategy for the San Francisco Travel Association.
The following are settings with strong cultural ties for those considering Northern California’s coast, from the shores of the Monterey Peninsula north to the redwoods of Humboldt County.
Carmel-by-the-Sea
In the early 20th century this coastal town was renowned as an artist colony, drawing writers, poets and painters, including Jack London and Sinclair Lewis. Carmel’s tree-lined lanes and storybook cottages remain enchanting.
“It’s quite a visual surprise for people to see Carmel and to see the eclectic architecture, small passageways and art galleries,” says Gael Gallagher, who has been leading tours for 31 years.
Gallagher operates Carmel Walks, which offers customized programs working with planners to arrange tours, cocktail receptions and dining at Carmel venues that provide intimate looks at galleries and places where notable artists lived.
Museum of Monterey
The Museum of Monterey, within walking distance of the Monterey Conference Center, Fisherman’s Wharf and downtown hotels, offers a look into the rich history that has shaped Monterey and the entire state of California.
“Upstairs, we have the best nautical museum on the West Coast,” says Larry Chavez, president of the Monterey History and Art Association. “It fills the upstairs gallery. We also have other available galleries, and guests can wander and see exhibits pertaining to Monterey history.”
Among the venues is the 1,600-square-foot Atrium, a 100-seat theater and galleries for receptions and dinners. One gallery, which showcases a functioning rotating lens from the Point Sur Lighthouse, offers harbor views.
Santa Cruz Surfing
Surfing plays a major role in Santa Cruz culture and planners can use that angle to create unique group events, says Max Schultz, director of sales and marketing for the Dream Inn, which has 3,500 square feet of flexible space that can accommodate up to 250.
“We’re within easy walking distance of the Surfing Museum and can connect planners to people who do walking tours that run along West Cliff and include the museum as an option,” he says.
The hotel’s Jack O’Neill Lounge is a tribute to O’Neill, who introduced the sport to Santa Cruz. Below the lounge is a permanent mural adjacent to the site of O’Neill’s Original Surf Shop.
The Surfing Museum, a short walk away, offers in-depth surfing history, including longboards made from local
redwood.
Hiller Aviation Museum
Groups who choose the Hiller Aviation Museum in San Carlos find themselves absorbed in flight. The unique setting includes an atrium and large main gallery with 27,600 square feet of space that can host up to 800 guests.
The Hall of Fame room overlooks the museum’s most popular attraction, a Boeing 747 that first flew in 1971.
A fun twist for a group: Guests can try their hand at piloting aircraft in flight simulators, complete with rudder pedals. The simulators require staff help and accommodate about 40 people per hour at an extra charge.
San Mateo County History Museum
One of San Mateo County’s landmarks is its stately 1910 courthouse in Redwood City, home of the San Mateo County History Museum.
Historic spaces available for groups include the lovely interior rotunda with its stained glass dome. Courtroom A, with a capacity for 400 guests, has been handsomely restored to its century-old appearance. Guests can sit at the judge’s bench, in the witness stand and the jury box where one of the county’s key historical figures, George Buck, served as sole superior court judge for 42 years.
Groups can rent the entire courthouse, the first floor rotunda only, the second floor of the rotunda and courtroom A, or the Atkinson Meeting Room. Planners also can arrange to have individual exhibit galleries open for their events.
American Conservatory Theater
A.C.T., San Francisco’s acclaimed theater company, is making a splash this year with the opening of The Strand Theater in the rapidly transforming Mid-Market District.
The Strand, painted a bright red, offers a variety of unique spaces, including a 283-seat theater, a 120-seat space and a lobby.
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A.C.T. also offers many other venues, such as the historic Geary Theater, costume shops and small performance spaces that the theater company operates.
The Exploratorium
Since opening at its new bay-front location on Pier 15 two years ago, The Exploratorium has zipped to the top of San Francisco’s prime venues.
“We’re still pretty new but we did 130 events last year,” says Chris Koenig, rentals manager at the facility. “It’s been a lot, and we’ve expanded our staff from two to six full-time people to support all the events that we book in all shapes and sizes.”
The most in-demand bookings are evenings, taking advantage of the waterfront views. The Observatory Terrace can be tented and rented with the adjacent Bay Observatory, which uses the vistas as the basis to explore humans’ impact on the bay.
“Depending on space needs, galleries can be rented individually or bundled together. Each gallery has its own unique, interactive exhibits such as those focusing on social sciences or physical sciences. A lot of the exhibits are about using your senses,” Koenig says.
Marin Civic Center
One of Marin County’s most striking landmarks is its Civic Center, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
“There’s a lot of people who love Frank Lloyd Wright and modern architecture. He was such a visionary that groups come here and find inspiration because it’s such a great building,” says Libby Garrison, marketing and communications manager. “We have a variety of spaces and venues, including two theaters, exhibit spaces and outdoor areas where you can do things like have races.”
The dramatic building is part of a larger complex: There is also a 14-acre lagoon, four acres of level lawns, walking paths and gardens that can accommodate 6,000 people.
Falkirk Cultural Center
One of Marin County’s most beautiful historic estates, Falkirk, is available to groups. The Queen Anne Victorian, on the National Register of Historic Places, is owned by the city of San Rafael. Eleven acres of gardens include lawns and a rose garden. The handsome wood-paneled rooms inside accommodate 100 for receptions and 60 for sit-down dinners.
“History can be covered during the event,” says Risa DeFerrari, curator and program coordinator. “We’re well equipped to do historic tours of the house and the gardens.”
Attendees can also pick up Falkirk history fact sheets and tour on their own during an event, taking in the photos and historical information on display. There are three gallery rooms upstairs and a main parlor used for larger events.
Charles M. Schulz Museum
Groups can get inspired while enjoying the creativity and art of Charles M. Schulz, the creator of Peanuts, at the museum devoted to his life and work in the heart of Sonoma County.
The museum’s event spaces can accommodate up to 300 people, including The Great Hall and its dramatic mural created with 3,588 Peanuts images on individual tiles. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook an outdoor courtyard. A 106-person theater also is available.
Venues are available only to museum members and the minimum membership amount is $1,000 for Golden Legacy membership or corporate Supporting level.
The museum welcomes new members “and we share the life and Schulz’s work with guests at their event,” says Renee Donmon-Chaussee, membership and group tours manager. “This is such a unique venue. We’ve done some amazing events here.”
222 Paul Mahder Gallery
The Sonoma County town of Healdsburg is known for its art galleries and, in September 2014 the biggest yet opened: 222 Paul Mahder Gallery. At 8,500 square feet, it’s the largest of its kind in California.
“There are other galleries that have multiple floors, but we’re the largest all on one floor,” says Paul Mahder, the owner.
The venue, with art displayed in 30-foot-high ceiling rooms with skylights, is just half a block from Healdsburg Plaza, which is lined with tasting rooms and restaurants.
The space can accommodate about 300 for receptions and up to 200 for sit-down dinners. Artists who are exhibiting are available to give presentations and discuss their work, Mahder notes.
Mendocino Center for the Arts
The Mendocino Center for the Arts, steps from the rugged Pacific coast, is a retreat-like setting that has been home to artists since 1959.
Galleries spotlight the work of artists in a variety of expressions, making a unique and inspiring setting for groups, says Celia Shelden, administrative director.
“We’ve got sculptors, ceramicists, painters and jewelry makers,” Shelden says. “We have a couple of large studios where we’ve done private events and meetings for upwards of 50 people. There are smaller rooms and galleries for smaller groups.”
Shelden adds that planners can arrange for artists to discuss their work and artistic process: “We have a large base to draw from.”
Redwood Grove
A historic estate designed by noted California architect Julia Morgan is available to groups in southern Humboldt County.
“Redwood forests are our neighbors,” says co-owner Alison Huegel. “People love coming here and learning about the history of the house and how local artisans spent almost three years building it.”
Unique events include afternoon tea and scone receptions featuring a tour of the 6,500-square-foot main house, which was commissioned in 1926 by San Francisco hotel heiress Margaret Stewart.
Architect Morgan was asked to build the estate, known as Redwood Grove, as part of a resort community built by the Benbow family, which owned the neighboring Benbow Inn.
Accommodations are available for small groups at Redwood Grove; larger groups can stay at the Benbow Inn, a five-minute walk. Tours can be arranged with the estate’s artist-in-residence or master gardener.
Freelance writer LAURA DEL ROSSO is a life-long resident of the Northern California coast who finds there's much of the coast still to explore.
