YOUR EVENT

Event Rentals

The Conservatory of Flowers offers rentals for a wide range of events- whether you’re booking a corporate event, hosting a cocktail party, planning your wedding or 25th anniversary party, the Conservatory of Flowers is the most unique historical site in the Bay Area. This historic facility, located in Golden Gate Park, boasts five exhibit spaces with exotic plants and flowers from all over the world. Each gallery showcases unique plants and flowers, custom metal work and architectural beauty throughout the building. The Conservatory also has additional open air spaces available for rentals including our Palm Terrace, Orchid Pavilion and Conservatory Lawns. Download our event brochure.

VENDORS
We work with an exclusive list of outside caterers and lighting specialists. View the Pre-Approved Vendor List, which also includes our local favorites for other event services.

AVAILABILITY
Weddings may be held year-round, daily, with rentals beginning at 5:00 p.m. Additional fees may apply for holidays and Sundays.

PRICING
For a quote, please complete the event inquiry form. To book your date, we require a site visit, signed rental contract and 25% deposit.

Click on the images above.

WEDDINGS

The Conservatory is available to rent for a ceremony, cocktail hour, seated dinner, and dancing receptions. Host it all or scale it down. View our brochure for a detailed walkthrough of Conservatory weddings.

The Conservatory is now offering micro-wedding packages. For more information, view our brochure by clicking here.

Wedding guests move through the landmark facility throughout the evening and appreciate the ease of ceremony and reception all in one place.

.
Size Location Type
Up to 50 West Gallery Ceremony
Up to 50 Conservatory & Orchid Pavilion Ceremony & reception
Up to 99 Full venue buyout Ceremony & reception
Up to 99 Conservatory & Orchid Pavilion Reception only
Up to 150 Full venue buyout Ceremony & reception
Up to 150 Conservatory & Orchid Pavilion Reception only
Up to 200 Full venue buyout Ceremony & reception or reception only
  • Per fire code regulations, we cannot accommodate more than 200 guests inside the Conservatory at one time.
  • For guest counts over 150, open air dinner takes place on our Palm Terrace.

Click on the images above.

CORPORATE RENTALS

The Conservatory of Flowers is available to rent for meetings and luncheons, company parties and promotional events. Our greenhouse is an elegant, lush backdrop for cocktails or a fun educational experience, while our rentable event space, the Orchid Pavilion, is a blank canvas that can be adapted to your needs. There’s also a large platform in front of the Conservatory where cocktails/dining are possible.

The Conservatory is a classic, iconic San Francisco landmark. We’re a beloved venue for locals, and an exceptional choice when you’re looking to dazzle out-of-towners. Ride share and shuttle drop offs are recommended.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

+ How do I arrange a site visit?

Please submit your event inquiry here. Once your inquiry has been submitted, our events team will reach out with a proposal and schedule a site visit. Site visits are available Wednesdays and Saturdays at 12 pm, and generally last 30 to 45 minutes.

+ How do I reserve a date?

An event date is secured once your rental contract is signed and you’ve paid a deposit of 25% of your total rental fee. Deposits are fully refundable up to 14 days after the deposit has been made. Payment in full is due 90 days prior to the event.

+ Is parking available?

Public parking is available a short walk away at the Music Concourse Garage, and limited street parking is available near the intersection of John F Kennedy Drive and Nancy Pelosi Drive.

+ Should I arrange transportation for my guests?

Many guests utilize ridesharing services while attending events at the Conservatory. Should you plan to use a bus service, please let your Conservatory of Flowers contact know.

+ Do I need insurance to rent your facility?

Yes. The Conservatory requires a certificate of insurance in the amount of up to $1 million of coverage. The client obtains this through their insurance company and must provide it seven days prior to their event. This is also available online: wedsafe.com or theeventhelper.com.

+ Am I required to rent restrooms?

Restroom trailers are included in reception rental fees. If you’re hosting a smaller gathering or a ceremony, the park restrooms are made available, without an extra fee, and kept open for the length of your event. While these are sufficient for a ceremony, they are not private to your guests, and anyone in the park is welcome to use them while they are open.

+ Can I serve food in the exhibit space?

Seated dinners are accommodated in the Orchid Pavilion or open air on the Palm Terrace and Conservatory Lawns. Due to current Covid restrictions, masks must be worn inside the Conservatory of Flowers at all times and food and beverage service are not allowed.

+ What is the Orchid Pavilion?

The Orchid Pavilion is our private event space, separate from the Conservatory. It is a blank canvas allowing clients to add their personal touches to their event. This space can accommodate daytime rentals.

+ Are there any restrictions due to Covid-19?

Yes, please see our Covid-19 Guidelines document.

+ Does the Conservatory provide event coordination?

Although the Conservatory of Flowers provides an Event Coordinator to handle facility logistics related to the venue, vendor load-in, and site management, a month of coordinator is required for all events. The month of coordinator is required to stay through the entire duration of the event, including breakdown, and must be present onsite of all vendor load in and out. It is the responsibility of the permittee to ensure that their coordinator is aware of this policy.

+ Do I need to use an approved caterer?

Yes. Our exclusive caterers are well-versed in the policies and procedures of the COF, and are fully insured and licensed by the city and state. If our exclusive caterer absolutely cannot accommodate a menu request, the Conservatory will consider and if appropriate, approve an outside vendor. This will automatically apply a $2,500 non-exclusive caterer fee to your rental balance.

+ Is your facility accessible?

Yes. The Conservatory has wheelchair access throughout, wheelchair accessible restrooms, and provides designated parking. Guests with wheelchairs or limited mobility may arrange to be dropped off and picked up directly in front of the Conservatory’s entry.

+ Is smoking allowed?

No. The Conservatory is a smoke free facility.

+ Who can we use for bar services?

Please see our approved caterer list for approved bar service vendors.

.

+ Do you have restrictions for what I can bring inside the Conservatory galleries?

Yes, the following items are not permitted inside the Conservatory: outside flowers, cut flowers, other organic material, helium balloons, glitter, rice, confetti, bubbles. Some exceptions may be made in advance, speak to your Conservatory of Flowers contact.

+ Are you LGBTQ friendly?

Yes.

PHOTOGRAPHY AND FILMING PERMITS

The Conservatory of Flowers is available for photography and filming. Large non-commercial and commercial shoots require a fee and permit confirmed 30 days prior to the shoot. Photography and filming that takes place outside of the Conservatory require permits through San Francisco Recreation & Parks.

.
Type of Shoot Timing & Location Number of People (Including Photographer) Permit Needed?
Non-commercial Conservatory exteriors Any Permit required through San Francisco Recreation & Park
Non-commercial Conservatory galleries 5 or less No, please review photography rules below prior to visit
Non-commercial Conservatory galleries 6 or more Yes, contact rentals@sfcof.org
Commercial Conservatory exteriors & galleries Any Yes, contact rentals@sfcof.org 

 

Commercial Photography and Film

Commercial photography or filming is any photography or filming that will be used for commercial purposes. Please email rentals@sfcof.org for a custom quote.

Non-commercial Photography and Film for Parties of 6 or More

Due to our narrow pathways, groups of 6 or more are required to have a permit and Conservatory staff member with them at all times in order to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all guests.

  • Contact the permits department at rentals@sfcof.org or call 415-264-0554.
  • All permits must be confirmed 30 days in advance, with a signed contract and full payment.

To obtain a permit for the Conservatory Valley or any other areas in Golden Gate Park, please contact San Francisco Rec and Park at (415) 831-5500 or on their website.

General Photography Rules

For individuals or groups up to five (including the photographer), a permit is not required. As the Conservatory is open to the general public and has narrow pathways, we have the following rules for daytime photography:

  • No tripods or free-standing equipment allowed
  • All bags or equipment must remain on a person in your party at all times
  • No music or amplified sound
  • Bags or equipment cannot be left in pathways or on benches for any period of time
  • Shoes must be worn at all times
  • No nudity or lewd activity or behavior
  • No movement of plants or Conservatory property allowed
  • No holding of crowd or prevention of other guests to roam freely
  • Doorways must be kept clear with doors allowed to open in both directions, freely
  • Pathways must be kept clear at all times

SUBMIT YOUR EVENT INQUIRY

Thank you for your interest. Please tell us a bit about your event and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

VISIT US

Whether you’re a native San Franciscan, a visitor from another side of the world, or a classroom of budding botanists, the Conservatory of Flowers offers an intimate up-close experience with rare and endangered plants unlike any other. Come see what treasures await you!

Golden Gate Park | 100 John F. Kennedy Drive | San Francisco, CA 94118 | 415-831-2090

Be in the know. Join our newsletter.

SUBSCRIBE