Fall Baby Shower Venue
Hi! I'm looking to host a baby shower for my sister in early November for ~30-35 people. I moved away from the area a couple of years ago and COVID turned everything upside down, so I'm having trouble finding something low key and affordable that can support this amount of people (seems too many for small venues and not big enough for larger venues). The Temescal beach house is an ideal scenario for reference, but they are unfortunately booked. Fern Cottage may be an option. I also have an ask out to the Gardens at Heather Farms, and Leona/Sequoia lodge. We'd ideally stay somewhere between Oakland and El Cerrito, time of day is flexible, and it needs to be kid friendly. I don't want to count on the weather in early November and just reserve a park picnic spot, though that is really the vibe we're going for. Any ideas based on current intel or recent experience is appreciated! Thanks!
Parent Replies
What's your budget? Sequoia Lodge is probably too big/expensive for this. (That's where I got married, with 100 guests.) I agree that's kind of an awkward number of people. Do you have to include children? Otherwise I would work with your sis to pare down the guest list to 15-20 and beg, borrow, and steal a private home for hosting, with plans to do it in a backyard if weather permits but easy to move inside if needed. Ask the guest with the nicest house and tell them that will be their gift, and you will handle all the food/decorations/table and chair rentals. If you end up renting a venue, the cost soars. My final thought is perhaps the Galileo Club in Richmond early on a weekend, there's bowling. :/
If it’s not booked, the Garden Center at Lake Merritt sounds perfect for your needs. Book through City of Oakland—they have a large, though simple, room that opens onto a beautiful garden patio. We also had a shower at the Lake Chalet for about that number years ago, but that was pricier (a generous gift from family). It was a nice space, though.
You could reserve a picnic area AND the clubhouse at Arlington Park in El Cerrito (via the city recreation site). If the weather is bad you can decorate and use the clubhouse and if weather is good can pivot to outside (I do this for my child's winter birthday). It's very bare bones though so you'd need to decorate to liven it up.
With a huge caveat that I haven't personally hosted an event here myself: Ocean View Brew Works in Albany might be a good option given the vibe you're looking for. They do private events, have indoor / outdoor space, and may even have outdoor heaters. I haven't been in a bit, but generally love this place and the owners here.
I always suggest that people look at area yacht clubs; I got married at Berkeley Yacht Club. It's on the water, lovely setting, plenty of parking, kid friendly. I don't see the rates on their website, but it was reasonable back in the day compared to other options. The website says weekends are booked through the end of the year, but weekdays are available. Other yacht clubs outside of your Oakland to El Cerrito geography that you could check include Encinal and Oakland yacht clubs in Alameda, and Richmond YC in Point Richmond.
Check out places like the Brazil Room at Tilden--structures that are part of parks, so you have an indoor option but they are pretty affordable since they're city owned.