Chabot Space & Science Center

Chabot Space & Science Center is an unforgettable wedding venue in Oakland, set high in the Oakland Hills on 13 wooded acres bordering Joaquin Miller Park. Surrounded by towering redwoods with sweeping views of the San Francisco Bay, the city lights, and the surrounding forest, this science museum offers couples a setting unlike any other in the East Bay, blending modern architecture, panoramic scenery, and a sense of cosmic wonder for both ceremony and reception.

The centerpiece of a Chabot wedding is the Planetarium, where couples can exchange vows on a spot-lit stage beneath a 70-foot dome filled with a star-strewn night sky, a rising moon, or a swirling nebula while guests look on from comfortable tiered seating. The Observatory provides intimate space with bay views, while the outdoor Pleiades Courtyard, with its garden, amphitheater, and central plaza, makes a charming backdrop for ceremonies, cocktail hours, and al fresco receptions. Astronomy Hall and the museum's exhibit floors offer additional room for dining and dancing, giving guests the chance to wander the galleries between courses. With flexible rental packages spanning a range of price points, the center accommodates everything from intimate gatherings to large celebrations of several hundred guests.

As a nonprofit institution, Chabot directs event revenue toward science education and field trips for local schoolchildren, so couples celebrating here support a meaningful cause. The venue provides ample complimentary parking, a preferred caterer list, accessible facilities, and an experienced events team that guides couples through planning. Just minutes from downtown Oakland and a short drive across the bridge from San Francisco, Chabot Space & Science Center delivers a memorable, one-of-a-kind wedding experience where guests can dance beneath a rocket, gaze through telescopes, and celebrate under the stars.

What couples say

• Couples repeatedly describe Chabot as a fun, unique venue that exceeded their expectations and felt like the coolest wedding their guests had ever attended.
• The planetarium ceremony beneath the 70-foot dome of stars is a standout that many couples name as their favorite part of the day.
• Reviewers praise the events team, including staff like Alex, Chelsea, and Rasheda, for clear, responsive communication and well-organized planning.
• Guests love being able to roam the exhibits, see the planetarium show, and socialize around the museum's spaces throughout the celebration.
• Many couples feel the venue offers strong value with flexible rental packages, made even better by knowing their money supports a nonprofit science mission.