Birthday Celebration in San Francisco Bay Area

July 7, 2006 10:11 AM

I need a good idea for a birthday celebration in the San Francisco Bay Area - my house is under construction so I can't host - about 30 people attending.

I really love throwing fun birthday bashes - this year, I get to organize my own birthday. Ordinarily we have it at our house where we can provide food and drink, as well as entertainment and a comfortable setting, all without spending TOO much money.

This year, our house is undergoing major renovations and as such, we're not able to host this year.

So, I'm looking for an idea to help celebrate my the conclusion of my 27th year on the planet. I want people to be comfortable, I want to be able to pay for their food and drinks without spending a fortune, and I want people to be able to have a good time.

HELP!?! I have two weeks.

posted by cubedweller to Food & Drink (8 answers total)

Sometimes you can rent a museum for an evening event. I have no idea how much it costs, though. I think places like the Asian Art Museum, the de Young, the California Academy of Sciences and the Exploratorium do this. They might be able to provide catering too. Your guests will get the run of the museum, or a good portion of it, without crowds.

Or just set up a picnic in Golden Gate Park. Or how about a picnic at Stern Grove during one of their concerts?
posted by Quietgal at 10:20 AM on July 7, 2006

A friend once rented one of those fake cable car bus thingies and had it transport all her friends, nattily clad in groovy 70s attire, from bar to bar all evening. There is a legendary afro-related story from that night, though I can't recall it at the moment.
posted by shifafa at 10:20 AM on July 7, 2006

Oh, yeah, Quietgal has it. You can arrange a picnic space in GG Park (a few near 25th Ave) or just head out there and grab an unreserved spot. The farther out in the Sunset you go, the easier it is to find a spot. There's a meadow area near North Lake (pond, actually) that's great for frisbee and sunshine. There's a Petanque court over by the dog run, which could be fun.

I also remember a bachelor party where we all met at Fisherman's Wharf on a sunny day and took the ferry over to Tiburon. It lets you off at the mexican restaurant "Guaymas." We had nachos and margaritas all afternoon, right on the bay. It was lovely.
posted by shifafa at 10:27 AM on July 7, 2006

My small firm had a Christmas party at the Cartoon Art Museum and given my employer's spendthriftiness, I don't think it cost too much. Our attendance was smaller than yours (about 20 I believe), but I don't think they'd have any problems accomodating a few more. There's no in-house catering or restaurant so you're free to provide your own food. I can find out more about it if you're interested.

I've also done the cable car parties a few times and they're fun if you enjoy bar/club-hopping.
posted by junesix at 10:50 AM on July 7, 2006

Cartoon Art Museum's max capacity is 226 people so I guess you'd be OK. We rented it out for the entire evening.
posted by junesix at 10:53 AM on July 7, 2006

Go bowling. Bowling alleys usually (gladly) book functions like birthday parties, and even have a party room.
posted by fogster at 10:58 AM on July 7, 2006

Cellspace?
posted by jasper411 at 12:43 PM on July 7, 2006

I went to a wedding at Sequoia Lodge in Redwood Park (East Bay) last weekend. A good-sized room with porches on two sides, big trees on three sides, a kitchen, a huge fireplace, for $65/hr. A really, really nice space.
posted by goofyfoot at 4:27 PM on July 7, 2006