The lineup of fantastic off-site venues in Silicon Valley is as varied and intriguing as the big ideas that are conceived in the area.
From a mountain winery to the home of the upcoming Super Bowl 50, planners have many choices to host memorable events away from the group’s host hotel.
The GlassHouse, San Jose
The GlassHouse offers both a sophisticated setting and flexibility of space for group events.
“Upon walking in, guests are captivated by the venue’s beauty,” says owner Gene Campbell. “The GlassHouse is adaptable to many different uses; we are here to help bring your event vision to life.”
The GlassHouse has accommodated corporate parties, cocktail receptions, fashion shows, sit-down dinners, fundraisers and more.
“There is a beautifully inviting entrance that reflects the feel of classic-meets-modern,” Campbell says. “The main room, which holds up to 1,000 people, has sweeping, soaring glass windows. You can see through to the patio, where up to 200 more people can enjoy an outdoor event.”
Mountain Winery, Saratoga
The Saratoga-based Mountain Winery is minutes away from Silicon Valley, but worlds apart in atmosphere, according to Katelyn Studebaker, director of marketing at the venue.
“The view is spectacular, the property expansive, the buildings historic, and our on-site culinary team prepares creative custom menus,” she says, adding the venue annually hosts about 220 corporate events, 208 wine-tasting days and more than 70 concerts. “Our events range from executive dinners and teambuilding activities, including private cooking lessons and a wine-blending challenge, to meetings and private concerts.”
The Mountain Winery can host groups of up to 2,500 people using a combination of spaces on the property.
“Our most remarkable event location is the Chateau Deck, which is backed by the historic Paul Masson home and overlooks panoramic views of Silicon Valley,” Studebaker says.
SoFA Market, San Jose
SoFA Market, a food hall and event venue located less than one block from the San Jose McEnery Convention Center, offers an array of food and beverage options under one roof, including Vero’s Coffee Bar and On The Flip Side, a burger joint.
According to Nate LeBlanc, general manager for SoFA Market, the decor, including reclaimed wood tables and colorful chairs, will best match casual gatherings for groups of up to 25 people.
“SoFA Market features both front and back patio areas, and there is a nice seating area near the Fountainhead Bar that could accommodate a nice cocktail reception,” he says, adding buyouts of the market are also available.
Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara
Levi’s Stadium just opened last year and is ready to host Super Bowl 50 Feb. 7.
When it’s not in use for San Francisco 49ers football games, the facility hosts events of all types, from corporate meetings and happy hours to galas and receptions.
According to Alexis Pinson, stadium sales and service coordinator, there are more than 20 rentable spaces and most of them offer amazing views of the field/stadium and surrounding area.
“We are very different from other venues in Silicon Valley because we are inside of an NFL stadium,” Pinson says, adding the Super Bowl 50 Experience, including a tour of the stadium and 49ers Museum, is now available. “This is the perfect way to be the first to experience the home of Super Bowl 50 with your group.”
Among the spaces for group events at the stadium are NRG Solar Terrace, which sports a bird’s-eye view of the field, and BNY Mellon Club East/Brocade Club, which Pinson calls a “grand space with dark wood walls, a center bar and field patio.”
Great America Pavilion, Santa Clara
Situated just inside California’s Great America amusement park and adjacent to Levi’s Stadium is Great America Pavilion, which offers 18,000 square feet of indoor space featuring hardwood floors, audiovisual capabilities and a floor-to-ceiling fireplace.
“In just its first year, Great America Pavilion has hosted myriad events, including product launches, corporate parties and formal holiday parties,” says Roger Ross, the venue’s communications manager.
He adds patrons are generally surprised at the dynamic catering provided.
“Great America has its own executive chef and food offerings can include carving stations, lobster and shrimp, wine bars, exquisite salad servings and incredible desserts,” he says.
Triton Museum of Art, Santa Clara
The Triton Museum of Art, which showcases contemporary regional works, is one of the most affordable venues throughout Silicon Valley, according to Melissa McKenzie, marketing associate at the museum.
The venue accommodates intimate and large-scale gatherings, from casual cocktail hours and recognition receptions to elegant meal functions.
Among the spaces is the museum’s Rotunda Gallery, which is backed by a glass wall overlooking the museum’s sculpture garden, and the Jamison Brown House, an on-site, circa-1866 Colonial Revival home that’s well suited for smaller occasions.
“The home’s wrap-around porch is rumored to be where Jack London wrote The Call of the Wild,” McKenzie says. “Its brick patio is a great location for summer evening cocktail parties.”
Mountain Terrace, Woodside
Mountain Terrace, which is surrounded by redwoods and offers beautiful views of San Francisco Bay, makes guests feel as though they’ve visited a world away from their fast-paced lives, according to Sarah Hart, sales coordinator for the venue.
“We offer polished service in a country setting, including personalized menu planning and a variety of teambuilding options,” she says, also noting that everything from casual company picnics to upscale dinners with wine tasting are accommodated here.
Amenities include a handsome lodge with a grand antique bar, two stone fireplaces and picture windows to capture views outside.
“Outdoors we have expansive decks as well as a lounge area with Adirondack chairs and a fire pit,” Hart adds. “And we have facilitated many events with teambuilding activities, including rock-climbing walls, trampolines, human hamster balls and more-traditional lawn games.”
Devil’s Canyon Brewing Company, San Carlos
“Devil’s Canyon Brewing Company, designed with a classic yet contemporary look and built with sustainable materials, offers a refreshing change to the carpeted corridors of a standard banquet or meeting room,” says owner Kristiann Dienstbier Garrett.
According to Garrett, features of the space, which accommodates events ranging from intimate teambuilding activities to large corporate meetings, include its performance stage and the adjacent brewery.
“With viewing windows at the rear of the room, guests get a behind-the-scenes look at the brewing process,” she says. “And craft beer, a necessary component of all successful events, is never in short supply.”
Brewery tours and small-batch beer-making can be incorporated into many events.
Kohl Mansion, Burlingame
The circa-1914 Kohl Mansion, an English brick Tudor structure, is an impressive site for group events that is located only seven minutes from San Francisco International Airport, according to Terri Baldocchi, the mansion’s director.
“The mansion has been a host for elegant to casual occasions, such as cocktail receptions, speaking engagements and stately dinners,” she says. “It can be dressed up or kept in its natural state, which is surrounded by lush green outdoors.”
Inside, the mansion’s features include high ceilings, elegant furnishings and a dance floor.
Regular Meetings Focus contributor CAROLYN BLACKBURN considers Mountain Winery a fine host for live music.
