Not all meetings are best held in meeting rooms. Whether you're looking for a cruise on the bay, a black box theater experience, a day at the game, an exotic outing amid wild animals, a night at a 21st Century space and science center or a quaint repast at a19th Century Victorian showplace, Oakland has what you need for your special gathering.

	Chabot Space & Science Center   map it 10000 Skyline Blvd (510) 336-7300 Website Capacity: 1,800 This fascinating museum high in the hills has exhibition halls, a tented dining area, a cafe, and catering.

	Kaiser Roof Garden 300 Lakeside Drive (510) 384-7874 Website Capacity: 1,500 The garden includes a large reflecting pool with numerous small fountains, a wooden bridge, undulating lawns, a curvilinear path system, benches, and an extensive plant palette including 42 mature specimen trees, extensive shrubs, ground covers, and herbaceous plantings.

	Dunsmuir Historic Estate 510 615-5555 Website Capacity: 3,000 Set in the East Bay hills, the estate comprises a mansion and 50 acres of lush grounds, which contain a gazebo, garden pavilion, duck pond, and carriage house.

	Oakland Museum of California   map it 1000 Oak Street (888) 625-6873, (510) 238-2200 Website Capacity: 2,000 Rent all or part of the museum, including the Great Court Gardens—a splendid plaza filled with cedar, oak, and redwood trees the museum restaurant the James Moore Theater and individual galleries.

	Scottish Rite Temple   map it 1547 Lakeside Dr (510) 832-0819 Website Capacity: 1,500 This Masonic facility is perfect for banquets, classes, or meetings. Catering is available.

	Children's Fairyland   map it 699 Bellevue (510) 452-2259 Website Capacity: 3,000 This whimsical outdoor fairy-tale park is available for weddings, parties, meetings, and more. Birthday-party packages are available in one-hour blocks.

	Paramount Theater   map it 2025 Broadway (510) 893-2300, (510) 465-6400 Website Capacity: 3,000 The lobby and theater of this beautiful art deco building located downtown are available for events by both commercial and noncommercial organizations. Food service is available.

	Oakland Zoo Snow Building/PeopleSoft center for science and environmental education 9777 Golf Links Rd. (at the Oakland Zoo) (510) 632-9525 Website Capacity: 250 Snow 140 PeopleSoft Center The zoo offers birthday-party packages and special-event facilities. The Snow Room has a kitchen, a fireplace, a show stage, a patio, and a great view of the Bay. The PeopleSoft Center offers the Marion Zimmer auditorium and classrooms.

	Preservation Park   map it Martin Luther King Jr. Way at 13th St. (510) 874-7580 Website Capacity: 1,000 Indoor rental facilities in this historic, landscaped neighborhood near downtown include the Ginn House, the Nile Hall, and small classrooms. Outside, guests enjoy the Pavilion and the Fountain Circle.

	Temescal Beach House   map it Temescal Regional Park (510) 540-0220 Website Capacity: 130 This charming lakeside house in the hills offers meeting facilities, including a full kitchen. A phone line and fireplace are available for an additional cost.

	USS Potomac 510 627-1215 Website Capacity: 100 reception, 30 dining Board Franklin Delano Roosevelt's presidential yacht for a history or a leisure cruise or a dockside reception.

	Oakland Asian Cultural Center 388 Ninth St., Ste. 290 (510) 637-0455 Website Capacity: 325 This cultural center's auditorium comes with lighting and sound systems, a baby grand piano, and a spinet piano. There is also a commercial kitchen and four conference rooms, plus a performing arts studio. Menu planning and catering are available.

	Celebrations on the Bay 3000F Danville Blvd., Ste. 103, Alamo (510) 499-4229 Website Capacity: 150 Themed menus and charter packages are featured on this riverboat that cruises the San Francisco Bay. The boat has a full bar and a state-of-the-art sound system.

	Joaquin Miller Park   map it 3590 Sanborn Dr (510) 482-7849 Website Capacity: 300 This 8,000-square-foot, rustic wood-framed building, tucked into a picturesque redwood grove, has assembly rooms, an alcove with a fireplace, decks, a commercial kitchen, and conference and breakout spaces.

	Jack London Aquatic Center 115 Embarcadero (510) 208-6066 Website Capacity: 400 You'll find meeting rooms and reception areas here on the Oakland Estuary waterfront, plus spaces for corporate and private events and outdoor weddings.

	Everett & Jones Barbeque   map it 126 Broadway (510) 663-2350 Website Capacity: 300 Casual meetings and parties are well-suited for this venue with a relaxed lounge atmosphere and catering from the adjoining award-winning restaurant.

	Camron-Stanford House   map it 1418 Lakeside Drive (510) 444-1876 Website Capacity: 300 This grand Victorian on Lake Merritt —the last of its kind— has five lavishly decorated period rooms suitable for all types of events.

	Lake Merritt Hotel & Apartments 1800 Madison St. (510) 903-3600 Website Capacity 200 The Terrace Room at the Lake Merritt Hotel features a semicircular hardwood dance floor, and a sizable mural along one wall depicting Lake Merritt as it appeared over 40 years ago. A shiny black grand piano and Art Deco fixtures are nice finishing touches. In addition to its great location along Lake Merritt, the hotel provides a wide range of services, many of which can be specifically tailored to your special event.

	Leona Lodge 4444 Mountain Blvd. (510) 238-3187 Website Capacity: 212 Nestled in the woodsy Oakland Hills, this lodge features a large outdoor barbecue pit off the kitchen.

	The Bellevue Club 525 Bellevue Ave. (510) 451-1000, (510) 832-0219 Website Capacity: 175 Enjoy the seclusion and elegance of a private social and fitness club nestled by scenic Lake Merritt. Various room sizes are available, suitable for groups from 18 to 85, as well as commodious overnight lodging.

	Woodminster Amphitheater   map it 3300 Joaquin Miller Road (510) 531-9597 Website Capacity: 2,000 This outdoor theater is available from May through October.

	The Rotunda Building 300 Frank H. Ogawa Plz. (510) 655-7766, (510) 410-6002 Capacity: 975 575 seated This stunning, recently renovated beaux arts building, with its soaring dome, can accommodate everything from large corporate events to small, intimate affairs. Separate dining area.

	Shoreline Center, The Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline at Doolittle Dr. (510) 540-0220 Website Capacity: 100 On the shores of San Leandro Bay at the southern tip of Oakland Estuary near the airport, this center's facilities include a full commercial kitchen.

	Sequoia Lodge   map it 2666 Mountain Boulevard (510) 238-3187 Website Capacity: 150 This commodious lodge has a deck, a stone fireplace, and a playground. A kitchen and parking are available.

	McAfee Coliseum and Oakland Arena   map it 7000 Coliseum Way (510) 569-2121, (510) 762-2277 Website Capacity: 60,000 stadium, 1,000 function The coliseum and arena complex, located near the airport, offer six venues for receptions, meetings, luncheons, conferences, and parties.

	Mills College 5000 MacArthur Blvd. (510) 430-2145 Website Capacity: 500 The Alderwood Conference Center, located on the college's beautiful, 135-acre campus, has a year-round, full-service conference program. It's an ideal spot for outdoor picnics and indoor banquets.

	Morcom Rose Garden 700 Jean St. (510) 238-3187 Website Capacity: 200 This beautiful rose garden, just a short distance from downtown, is a stunning setting for any event. Bloom season is late April through October.

	Oakland Masonic Center 3903 Broadway (510) 653-3353 Capacity: 550 This austere center has two luxurious lodge-style rooms as well as two banquet rooms for meetings and special events.

	Bjornson Hall 2258 MacArthur Blvd. (510) 531-9882 Website Capacity: 250 This historic Sons of Norway hall is located in central Oakland, near Interstate 580. It has complete kitchen facilities. It is excellent for one day or recurring meeting activities.

	Cal State East Bay, Oakland Professional Development and Conference Center 1000 Broadway (510) 208-7001 Website Capacity: 125 This downtown, fully equipped space offers several classrooms and multimedia labs for group meetings and conferences.

	California Ballroom 1736 Franklin (510) 834-7761 Website Capacity: 500 Original Art Deco chandeliers hang from the soaring ceiling. Burgundy draperies and carpet, gold detailing above the doors and mirrors and a disco ball complete the festive decor. The California Ballroom's impressive stage can be used for your head table or to feature a band, DJ or keynote speaker. This is truly Oakland's most elegant and unique location for special events.

	County of Alameda Conference Center 125 12th St., Ste. 400 (510) 272-6467 Capacity: 100 Located in the Lake Merritt area, this center has 11 meeting rooms, as well as a foyer for exhibitions and receptions.

	Historic Sweets Ballroom   map it 1933 Broadway (510) 835-1073 Website Capacity: 900 Step lively in the classic ballroom where the Benny Goodman orchestra made its West Coast debut or host a meeting in the conference rooms. The ballroom can accommodate a variety of events, including dances, weddings, and fund-raisers.

	Holy Names College   map it 3500 Mountain Blvd (510) 436-1000 Capacity: 400/120 The college's Valley Center of Performing Arts has two theaters for events and meetings: the Regent's Theater and the Studio Theater.

	Holy Redeemer Center 8945 Golf Links Rd. (510) 635-6341 Capacity: 400/120 The college's Valley Center of Performing Arts has two theaters for events and meetings: the Regent's Theater and the Studio Theater.

	Lake Merritt Sailboat House 568 Bellevue Ave. (510) 238-3187 Website Capacity: 150 This two-story boathouse's event facilities include a kitchen. There is elevator access to the upstairs rooms.

	Lakeside Park Garden Center 666 Bellevue Ave. (510) 238-3187 Website Capacity: 300 The center has three rooms, two with adjoining kitchens and stages. The Garden Room opens onto a Japanese garden with a koi pond. The Vista Room opens onto a patio surrounded by redwood trees.

	Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts 1428 Alice St. (510) 238-7526 Website Capacity: 400 This beautifully restored 1920s building in downtown Oakland offers a theater, five dance studios, meeting rooms, and rehearsal spaces for art events, meetings, and other activities.

	Maxwell's Restaurant & Lounge 341 13th Street (510) 839-1549 Website Capacity: 250 Located in Downtown Oakland, this upscale venue boasts a state-of-the-art sound system, raised stage and open floor plan that's perfect for seminars, meetings, luncheons and company mixers. Catering is available.