Songs have been written about it, football dynasties have called it home, and people come from all around the world to visit this one-of-a-kind city. San Francisco is labeled “The City by the Bay” and rests just west of Oakland, above San Jose in California. This city is known for its rolling hills, cool summers, cable cars, and the infamous Golden Gate Bridge. It's a major commercial and financial center in the US and is the fourth most populous city in California.
Renting a San Francisco event venue has many advantages. Whether you’re looking to tap into the thriving arts culture or just celebrate your occasion in one of the most famous cities in the world, San Francisco, CA has so much to offer to make your day just a bit more special. From private dining rooms to unique event venues, you can find exactly the space that you need. This major city is also home to many events-related service providers, so you'll be able to organize an event without much hassle.
Decor
Whether you need pearl white drapery, golden cutlery, giant beach balls, or a classic theater space, finding the appropriate decor is very important. The right decor can transform a versatile event space into a unique event venue that matches the theme that you envision.
Lighting
The right lighting allows your guests to focus their eyes on the important parts of the event. It also sets the mood of the event. To achieve this, you can either rent the equipment or have someone professionally install it at the venue. Keep in mind, however, that not all event spaces will allow you to make installations, so be sure to ask the venue manager about it.
Sound
A sound system is essential in events, especially when there's music or speeches involved. Depending on the event agenda, you may need microphones, speakers, or a PA system. Many rental companies around the area can assist you with renting and setting up the right equipment for your needs.
Caterers
One way to make your event stand out above the rest is to find a good caterer for the job. In San Francisco, you’ll have no trouble finding the right caterer for your event’s size, theme, budget, and cuisine preferences. Whether you avail in-house catering or rent an entire restaurant, it's a good way to elevate the event's atmosphere and keep your guests satisfied.
Party Planners
Planning a San Francisco event can be exhausting when you take into account all the hats you have to wear, all the pieces to juggle, and all the details to have under your thumb. That’s why it is important to find yourself an event planner to help carry the burden of your next event.
Bands
Does your event space need a bit of live entertainment to bring the party to life? San Francisco is a very artsy city where bands, DJs, and singer/songwriters from any genre are easy to find to fit your vibe. A good band can set the mood, fill time, or be the highlight of the night, whether you're organizing private events, corporate events, or wedding receptions.
Brilliant Event Lighting
Brilliant Event Lighting is a premier San Francisco-based lighting company founded by Scott McBride, who hailed from a family of lighting experts. They can provide lighting services for a variety of events, including weddings, private parties, corporate events, and more. From twinkle lights and chandeliers to pinspot lights and gobos, they have all kinds of lighting rentals to cater to all event needs.
Mandy Scott Events
This award-winning event planner specializes in elegant and high-end productions and has the connections and portfolio to prove their expertise. Mandy has an impressive client list consisting of Vera Wang, Ferrari, Google, Luis Vuitton, Porsche, Lucas Films, and individual families as well. Mandy's team works on weddings, corporate events, charity galas, and private celebrations.
McCalls Catering and & Events
With over 40 years in the San Francisco event catering business, McCalls built its reputation on custom relations and creating memorable events through exquisite dining experiences. The team has been serving countless weddings, galas, and corporate events with carefully crafted menus. Their client list includes Samsung, Facebook, Bank of America, Google, and more.
Ready to hold a shindig in San Fran? While the idea of having a party in a huge, major city is appealing, there are a few disadvantages that you need to think about before finalizing any plans.
Welcoming and Diverse
San Francisco is one of the most welcoming cities for all kinds of folk in all of America. For example, the Castro District is famous for its extravagant pride parades, and North Beach is the home to charming Little Italy.
Public Transportation
Getting people to and from your event space in San Francisco, CA is very simple with the city’s many public transportation options. With options like buses, BART, Muni, rideshares, and GoBikes, this city was built for public transport, so it's not a problem to get to downtown San Francisco.
Dog-friendly
A dog-friendly city is a happy city. There is a good chance that your event space will be dog-friendly which is a plus, should this be fitting for the occasion.
Artsy Community
With tons of art colleges, museums, creative shops, and art exhibits, San Francisco's artist community is one of the richest communities in America. This makes San Francisco a prime location for hosting art exhibits and workshops.
Beaches and Parks
Whether you’re a beach-goer or more of a woodsy type, San Francisco, CA has amazing beaches and parks for you to enjoy including Dolores Park, Muir Woods National Park, Fort Funston Beach, and Kirby Cove.
Weather
When it’s hot, it’s too hot, and when it’s cold, it’s too cold. The weather in San Fran tends to be something one has to adapt to, though some may find that to be an appealing feature.
Fog
Some folks love it, some hate it, but either way, San Francisco is famous for its thick and rolling fog. The fog keeps the air cool, but some people don't like the gloominess that comes with it.
Parking
Too many people, small roads, and the fact that the city was built for bikers, buses, and walkers, are just a few reasons why parking can be very difficult to find in San Francisco.
Cost of Living
The more attractive a city is, the higher the cost of living becomes. San Francisco is one of the most expensive cities to live in in the whole world, which means that venue rentals and services are on the pricier side, too.
Cost of Gas
With the high cost of living comes expensive gas prices, which can surprise your guests who are from out of town. Hiring a shuttle service for your guests can help them save on costs from individually paying for gas money.
Golden Gate Bridge
One of the most recognizable sights in the world, the Golden Gate Bridge is certainly one of San Francisco's most visited spots. This big red structure is visited by millions of cars every year, and just nearby is the beautiful Golden Gate Park, which has many different gardens worth exploring.
Alcatraz
Once one of the most famous prisons in the world and housing some of the world’s most hardened criminals, Alcatraz is now a major tourist attraction. By riding a ferry, you can visit the old maximum security prisons located on an island in the middle of San Francisco Bay.
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
SFMOMA satisfies the art lover in everyone. Immerse yourself in tons of exhibits and spark your artistic inspiration. If you don’t feel like paying to get in, they offer an “Always Free to See” exhibit for guests.
City Lights Books
Home of the famous ”Beat Poets”, City Lights Bookstore is one of the most famous independent bookstores in the world. Drawing thousands of visitors every year, City Lights welcomes poets, literary lovers, and hipster beatniks from all over the world.