Private Events

1. Book Your Event
2. Frequently Asked Questions
3. Accommodations & Pricing
4. Preferred Caterers
5. General Facility Rental Guidelines

BRIDAL FAIR AT JUNIPERO SERRA MUSEUM!
Spaces are filling up, make your reservation today!
January 28, 2012 - 1:00pm - 4:00pm

If you book your future event within 10 days of the bridal fair, clients will receive 10% OFF on site rentals!

If you book your future event within 10 days of the bridal fair, clients will receive 10% OFF on site rentals!

Are you looking for a unique, beautiful or historic setting for your private event? MAKE YOUR NEXT EVENT PART OF SAN DIEGO HISTORY!!!

San Diego History Center is proud to offer two of our historic museums to host your next private event. Available for weddings, commitment ceremonies and social or corporate events, the museums provide you and your guests with an unforgettable experience as well as the opportunity to support the San Diego History Center’s educational programs and exhibitions.

San Diego History Center is located in San Diego’s historic Balboa Park. Consisting of a beautiful grand atrium and 5 different galleries, this museum is ideal for a unique private event. Also inside the museum are the Large Education Center, the Hans & Margaret Doe Small Education Center and the Thornton Theatre, perfect for meetings, lectures or small conferences.

Junípero Serra Museum, located in Presidio Park, is an ideal setting for a stunning and upscale event. The striking mission-style building, constructed in 1929 is perched atop a hill above San Diego’s historic Old Town. The museum boasts a spectacular view overlooking the City and the Pacific Ocean and offers a partially covered loggia for an outdoor event and an interior gallery for a more intimate setting.

Book your event now - dates are filling fast!

To reserve your special event at one of our historic sites

please email: mplott@sandiegohistory.org

or call:  (619) 232-6203 ext 109.

You can find us at:

San Diego History Center
1649 El Prado
San Diego Ca 92101

Serra Museum
2727 Presidio Dr
San Diego CA 92103

Frequently Asked Questions

What do the rental fees include?
If you are renting the San Diego History Center or the Serra Museum, the rental fee includes the use of the facility only for 8 hours, a complimentary wedding rehearsal on the evening prior to the event and free admission into the museum's galleries for you and your guests. Your rental time of 8 hours needs to include your setup and cleanup time. Hourly rates for less than 8 hours can be arranged.

If you are renting the Thornton Theater or the Education Centers, the fee is for use of the facility for the number of hours that you have contracted for, tables, chairs and AV equipemnt as arranged by the Museum and the Client and free admission into the museum's galleries for you and your guests.

Is the Serra Museum available for a Wedding Ceremony only?
Yes, the Serra Museum is available for a wedding ceremony only. This includes a 4 hour time block and a complimentary wedding rehearsal prior to your event and free admission into the museum's galleries for you and your guests. Your rental time of 4 hours needs to include your setup and cleanup time.

What hours are the sites available for my event?
San Diego History Center is available as early as 3 PM Tuesday - Friday and has flexible start times on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. The Serra Museum is available as early as 3 PM Tuesday - Friday and has flexible start times on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. The Thornton Theater and the Education Centers have flexible start times. All clean up must be concluded by 12 Midnight.

Do you allow alcohol at events ?
Yes. Alcohol is allowed but must be served by a licensed bartender provided through a bar service or caterer.

Do you allow music at events?
Yes. Live and recorded amplified music is allowed.

Is the renter required to use one of San Diego History Center’s preferred caterers?
No they are not. However all caterers must be approved by the Event Coordinator and meet all requirements. There is a $200 additional fee to use a non preferred caterer.

Is there a cleaning deposit?
There is a $300 non-refundable cleaning fee included in the rental fee of the facility.

Is there an additional charge for wedding rehearsal time?
We include a complimentary wedding rehearsal prior to your event at a time pre-arranged by the client and the Event Coordinator.

Is there an additional charge for admission to the Museum galleries during my event?
There is no additional charge into the museum galleries for you and your guests.

Can we have docent-led tours during our event?
Docents may be available upon request. Please ask in advance so we can do your best to accommodate your needs.

Accommodations & pricing

*A 10% discount applies for San Diego History Center Members and non-profit organizations.

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General facility rental guidelines

Reservations

• Renter must provide a 50% deposit and sign a contract with the Museum in order to secure the event date.
• Renter MUST provide liability insurance naming San Diego History Center as an additional insured in the amount of $1 million. This is due 45 days before the event.
• Renter must understand that any time spent over the contracted event time, they must pay a prorated fee of $400/hour for the Serra Museum and San Diego History Center Weddings and Events. The pro-rated fee for Meetings and Lectures is $200/hour.
• Site rental coordinator MUST approve all decoration prior to the event date.
• A non-refundable $300 cleaning fee is included in the cost of the rental fee.
  

• Security will be provided for by the Center at the Renter's expense for ALL banquet events - 4 hours minimum.

Catering

• We have a list of preferred caterers- All of which hold the proper licensing and meet the standards of insurance set forth by the Museum. If a non-preferred caterer is selected, they MUST be approved by the museum before you reserve your event. The non-preferred vendor must also meet the requirements set forth by the Museum.
• There is a $200 additional fee to use a non preferred caterer.
• Catering time for set-up and take down must be included in your rental time.
• Caterers are responsible for clean-up – including taking out the trash.
• Caterers must provide liability insurance naming the San Diego History Center as an additional insured in the amount of $1 million.
• Open flame of any kind is never allowed inside the San Diego History Center with the exception of those needed for chafing dishes.

Rentals

• If renting the San Diego History Center or the Serra Museum, the Museum does not provide the renter with any tables, chairs, linens, etc. The Renter needs to contact a caterer for these items or one of the rental companies on our preferred list. 
• If you are renting the Thornton Theater or the Education Centers, the fee is for use of the facility for the number of hours that you have contracted for, tables, chairs and AV equipment as arranged by the Museum and the Client
• Security will be provided for by the Center at the Renter's expense for ALL banquet events - 4 hours minimum.
  

Terms and Conditions

• Food and drink are allowed at San Diego History Center in the carpeted area in front of the entrance, in the atrium, and in the Thornton Theatre. Food and drink are prohibited in the gallery space.
• Smoking is NEVER allowed inside the Museum or on the Balboa Park Grounds.
• Confetti is NOT allowed.
• Only florist-provided flower arrangements are allowed inside the museum.
• Flower girls may only drop silk petals inside museum.
• No animals are allowed inside the Museum. Exceptions are made for assistance animals.
• Alcoholic beverages are allowed on the Serra Museum outside terrace Loggia, but not inside the Serra Museum. Alcoholic beverages are allowed in the San Diego History Center atrium and the Thornton Theater but prohibited in the gallery space. Alcohol is never allowed outside museum premises.
• All exhibitions and displays are subject to change without further notice and may not be moved, rearranged, or altered for the event.
• Candles may be used on the exterior of the Serra Museum only. They must be weighted and placed in a durable glass container away from any vegetation. Only votive candles and candles in large hurricane glass containers are permitted.
• No vehicles of any kind are allowed on the grassy hill leading up to the Serra Museum. Rubber tips or padding must be placed on all metal chair legs and table legs to prevent the scratching of tiles.
• Nothing may be attached to the roof tiles of Serra Museum.
• All electrical cords must be properly secured to the museum floor with gaffer’s tape or trip strip to reduce the risk of a tripping hazard.
• Nothing (including food & drink) may be placed on or against the wine press on the Loggia, at the Serra Museum at any time.