Silicon Valley is home to many of the nation’s largest tech companies and innovative startups, making it a prime area for hosting B2B events. But with so many venues to choose from, it can be overwhelming to decide what options are right for your event type and needs.
We’ve rounded up our favorite venues in the Silicon Valley area that are sure to impress your attendees.
The GlassHouse
Location: San Jose, CA
Event Type: Conference, Forum, Dinner, Networking
The Space: Centrally located in downtown, the GlassHouse is one of San Jose’s largest event venues. The 12,000 square foot venue can host up to 700 guests and contains three lounges, two dining areas, and a beautiful outdoor patio.
Amenities: (Verified on Yelp):
- Bartender services
- Catering services
- Day-of coordination
- Lighting services
- Event planning services
- Security services
- Audio/visual services
- Event staffing/on-site management
- Post-event cleaning
- Rigging services
- Valet, no on-site parking
Santa Clara Convention Center
Location: Santa Clara, CA
Event Type: Conference, Trade show
The Space: 302,000 sq. ft. of meeting space features a 100,000-square-foot, clear-span exhibit hall. The new 22,400 sq. ft. multi-purpose Mission City Ballroom is versatile & can be used to host meetings in Theatre, Classroom, Banquet, or Exhibit style. The Convention Center lobby leads to four exhibit halls, which can be used individually or as one unit, providing great flexibility for a conference or exposition. Also, a 607-seat multimedia theater is great for a staged performance or product introduction. (Virtual Tour)
Amenities:
- Large venue with several room options for breakaway sessions
- Free parking
- On-site catering
- Walking distance to many restaurants
- Hotel onsite (Hyatt, more hotels)
- Close to San Jose airport and easy to get to with public transportation
Rosewood Sand Hill
Location: Menlo Park, CA
Event Type: Networking, Forum, Roundtable
The Space: Rosewood Sand Hill is a stunning, 16-acre resort in Menlo Park, CA that features a 2,769-sq.-ft. ballroom, three boardrooms, three meeting rooms, as well as beautifully landscaped terraces and lush lawns for private events.
Amenities:
- Private dining rooms available at signature restaurant Madera
- The ballroom has an indoor capacity for up to 285 guests and outdoor functions for 400 guests
- For larger outdoor events there is there is a 5,375-sq.-ft. lawn adjacent to the Rosewood Ballroom.
- Two private dining rooms for smaller groups of up to 10 or 14 respectively are available at the hotel’s signature restaurant, Madera.
- High-speed Internet access and full audio-visual services complement all venues
- On-site catering
Cantor Arts Center
Location: Stanford University Campus, CA
Event Type: Executive dinner, small-to-medium-sized conference,
The Space: The Cantor Arts Center is one of the most beautiful spaces on campus, with the museum’s elegant atrium, vibrant galleries, and outdoor spaces. Cantor’s facilities can accommodate up to 500 people, but can also be great for an intimate gathering.
Available rooms include:
- Historic Atrium: The museum’s historic entrance features an impressive classical facade. Guests enter the Atrium through beautiful bronze doors depicting the Stanford family’s travels. Inside, a grand double staircase and vaulted skylight offer a dramatic setting for a reception or dinner.
- Auditorium: A warm, contemporary space with expansive windows, the auditorium overlooks the Doris and Donald Fisher Terrace and the north sculpture garden. Equipped with a projection screen and audio system, the auditorium is ideal for lectures, films, musical performances, receptions, and dinners.
- Susan and John Diekman Gallery: Adjacent to the Rodin Sculpture Garden with the iconic Thinker at its center, the Susan and John Diekman Gallery is a beautiful, intimate setting for an elegant reception or dinner among the sculptures.
- North Sculpture Garden: An expanse of lawn featuring monumental contemporary sculptures, the north sculpture garden is a beautiful setting for open-air or tented receptions and dinners. Tents may be installed on the lawn.
- Courtyard: The courtyard is located at the heart of the Cantor, adjacent to changing galleries. It is a superb location for receptions and dinners in fair weather and may be tented.
Amenities:
- Audiovisual equipment available
- Tables and chairs available
David & Joan Traitel Building at Hoover Institution
Location: Stanford University Campus, CA
Event Type: Small Conference, Executive Dinner, Forum, Lunch & Learn
The Space: Opened in 2017, the Traitel Building sits at the foot of Hoover Tower and opens the Hoover Institution to the larger Stanford University community. The building’s first floor features several elegant, modern, and highly functional event spaces.
Key Facts:
- The AV system can be synced across all three interior event spaces
- Greenroom has comfortable seating, LCD monitor, mini-fridge and a private bathroom connected to both Hauck Auditorium and Blount Hall
- Catering kitchen and plating area (preferred caterer list)
- Loading dock adjacent to kitchen spaces and accessible via Crothers Way
- Coatroom, event office, and reception desk for your convenience
- Locking doors can be programmed to remain unlocked for after-hours events
- Parking and transportation information
Available Rooms:
Everett & Jane Hauck Auditorium
This light-filled venue features excellent acoustics, state-of-the-art A/V capabilities, and theater-style seating for up to 400 guests. The distinctive, scalloped ceiling and wood trim finish throughout set the lecture hall apart from other convening spaces on campus.
Amenities:
- Comfortable, theater-style chairs with armrest, floor-fed climate control, and lap pad (Wheelchair accessible and removable chairs also available).
- Attached Green Room
- State-of-the-art A/V capabilities for presenting, recording, and live streaming
- Full-coverage, built-in speaker system
- 4 cameras for recording (2 in back, 2 flanking stage)
- HD projector
- Theater-sized dropdown projection screen
- 6 handheld mics and 8 lapel mics
- In-room AV control booth
- Stage with a movable lectern, optional Stanford branding on the back wall, and multiple light scenes
- No food or drinks are allowed (water okay)
Welcoming Pavilion
The Welcoming Pavilion opens up to the building’s semi-private courtyard and serves as pre-function space for the building’s dining/multipurpose room and auditorium.
Amenities:
- A/V system
- 2 built-in speakers
- Music playback capability
- Multimedia screen can stream audio/video as overflow monitor or be preloaded with content
- 3 handheld and 2 lapel mics
- iPad control system
- Adjacent reception desk
- Lounge style seating included by default (can be altered only with prior approval)
William Blount Hall
Decorated with posters from Hoover’s world-renowned archival collection, Blount Hall is a spacious dining and multipurpose room that seats 440 guests. The room opens to the building’s outdoor courtyard and Welcoming Pavilion/reception area, offering plenty of natural light and easy access to other spaces. Rental includes use of designer dining chairs and 66-inch round tables.
Amenities:
- Adjacent plating area and a full catering kitchen
- Conveniently located event office
- A/V system
- 2 built-in line array speakers, expansion capability for a subwoofer and fill speakers
- 4 HD cameras
- 2 recessed ceiling projectors
- 2 drop-down projector screens
- 6 handheld and 8 lapel mics
- Separate A/V control room
- Optional modular stage
- 44 round tables and 440 chairs included in rental
Fairweather Courtyard
This beautiful outdoor space, sponsored by Hoover supporters Joanne and Arthur Hall, sits at the foot of Hoover Tower and looks out to Serra Mall and Tanner Fountain. It features comfortable patio-style seating, café tables and chairs, and easy access to the building’s indoor event areas.
Amenities:
- Capacity for 500 guests
- Included patio seating (can be altered only with advanced notice)
- Additional seating available on surrounding seat walls.
Spaces By Santana Row
Location: San Jose, CA
Event Type: Lunch & Learn, Forum, Demo & Activity, Small Gathering
The Space: Nestled among several prime Silicon Valley technology companies, Spaces is a unique working location, equipped with individual working stations as well as group meeting spaces. The accessibility of the venue allows for an easy commute for your attendees, as well as several great food options all around.
Amenities:
- 3 meeting rooms
- 93 dedicated desks, 3 coworking desks
- Fully serviced with audiovisual equipment and whiteboards
- Catering provided on-request
Winchester Mystery House
Location: San Jose, CA
Event Type: Small-medium sized gatherings, dinners, luncheons, or forums
The Space: The Winchester Mystery House is a well-known attraction in San Jose due to its unique architecture, history, and even some paranormal activity. Starting as an 8-room farmhouse, the original owner, Sarah Winchester, began what is described as the world’s longest home renovation when purchased in 1886. Sprawling over 24,000 square feet, the mansion consists of 160 rooms, 13 bathrooms, and six kitchens.
The Winchester Mystery House has several spaces available for a wide variety of events, from intimate dinners of 12 to a gathering of 500.
Available Rooms:
The Carriage House
The Carriage house can accommodate up to 80 guests, It’s equipped floor-to-ceiling windows, original redwood, and vintage charm. The main doors open to the Central Gardens, allowing for more room to mingle and explore.
The Greenhouse
The Greenhouse is a lively and botanical space that can accommodate up to 70 people for a seated dinner, and up to 125 people for a standing event.
*Tip: Hold your event in the evening to take advantage of the beautiful lighting.
The Shakespeare Grand Ballroom
The ballroom can accommodate up to 25 seated guests or 50 guests reception style. The room consists of an antique pump organ, stunning hand-carved woodwork, and 2 stained glass windows that hole cryptic quotes penned by William Shakespeare.
The Venetian Dining Room
Surrounded by leaded glass windows, elegant dark woods, and ornate spindle work, The Venetian Dining Room is the most romantic room in the mansion. It can accommodate up to 50 seated guests or 60 guests reception style.
Victorian Gardens
Accommodating up to 400 guests, the Victorian Gardens consists of a variety of water fountains, blooming flowers, and trees imported from all over the world. It’s the perfect option for an outdoor event.
Beer Garden
If you’re looking for something a little more laid-back, the beer garden can accommodate up to 39 guests and is nestled into its own private courtyard. Additionally, it has plenty of trees for shade, cute string lights, and scattered picnic tables.
Winchester Room
The Winchester Room is most suited for a meeting or presentation, complete with wifi, audio-visual capabilities, tables and chairs, as well as heating and air-conditioning. The room can accommodate up to 65 seated guests.
Amenities:
- Parking: None Provided, lockers are available to hold belongings inside.
- Climate: No central air or heat throughout most of the building, with the exception of the Winchester Room.
- Food: No catering or restaurants available onsite.
*Note: While the grounds, gift shop, and cafe are wheelchair accessible, the main house itself is not.
Bonus: For some fun history on the ghosts and more of the Winchester Mystery House, check out this video from HouzzTV.
The Mountain Winery
Location: Saratoga, CA
Event Type: Conferences, executive dinners, corporate retreats, and special events
The Space: The Mountain Winery is a 600+ acre wine estate, which boasts breathtaking views of Silicon Valley. Whether you're planning an exclusive dining experience for 25 guests or a company-wide conference for 2,500, The Mountain Winery offers an event experience to remember.
Amenities:
- Production and A/V capabilities
- Onsite parking
- On-site catering options
- Stage, sound, and lighting
- Dance floor
- In-house rental items
- ADA accessible golf carts
- Experienced team of event professionals to help
Corinthian Grand Ballroom
Location: San Jose
Event Type: Dinner, Forum, Small Conference, Demo + Activity
The Space: The Corinthian Grand Ballroom was originally built in 1924 as a Scottish Right Temple, and was converted into a premier event space in 1982. The exquisite craftsmanship and intricate details make this venue one that your guests will never forget.
Amenities:
- Experienced management team: From the pre-planning stages through to the completion of your event, an event coordinator is available to help with logistics and vendor management.
- Preferred vendor list: Find services for anything you need from floral design, entertainment, audio/visual services, rentals, valet services and more.
- Movie Screen: The building was once converted into an elegant movie theater, and the screen can still be used for events.
- Fun Fact: The venue has even made quite a few appearances on popular TV shows and movies, “Mad City”, starring Dustin Hoffman and John Travolta (1997).
Plumed Horse
Location: Saratoga, CA
Event Type: Executive Dinner, Intimate Gathering, Demo + Activity
The Space: The Plumed Horse is an upscale Michelin-starred restaurant with several private dining areas perfect for an intimate meeting, large party, board meetings and more for parties of up to 200 people. The venue has 5 room options to choose from, each with its own set of amenities and decor.
Amenities:
- Their team of meeting and event specialists can accommodate special needs and menus
- AV and professional meeting support
San Jose Museum of Art
Location: San Jose, CA
Event Type: Conference, Special Event, Demo + Activity, Executive Dinner
The Space: The San Jose Museum of Art is a top choice for impressing your guests and creating a luxurious experience. From an intimate 20-person dinner to a larger 3,000-person conference, the SJMA has options for every type of event.
Amenities:
- Various rental packages are offered depending on the space needed
- Clean-up services are available
- Preferred vendor and caterer list provided
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