Looking for a rain-proof place to have an indoor birthday party in the San Francisco Bay Area? How about 100+ places to choose from?! These venues are perfect to host your special party- rain or shine.
Do you have a rainy season birthday kid in the San Francisco Bay Area? Both of our kids are rainy season babies, so we feel your pain! That is why I created this list. However, these places are really good for any season.
Want to know more about things to do in the San Francisco Bay Area? Read more here
- 30+ Weekend Getaways and Day Trips from San Francisco
- 100+ RAINY & FOGGY DAY INDOOR ACTIVITIES IN THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA FOR KIDS
- 60+ kid-friendly wineries in and near San Francisco
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Museums and Zoos
San Francisco
- Cal Academy of Sciences holds birthday parties indoors starting at about $630 for 16 people for members ($699 for nonmembers) and $40 per person thereafter. Food is additional, and you can also get other services added like animal encounters! Your guests will also have time to explore the museum. There are different themes available per age group too. (No alcohol allowed).
- The animals may be a little wet, but your guests will be dry and warm at the San Francisco Zoo birthday party. Starting at $60 per person (20 person minimum), your guests will get face painting, goodie bags, food, cake, and a special birthday present for the boy/girl of the hour. You can add fun things like animal encounters and animal costume characters! (Alcohol available.)
- Great for all ages – create movies and art! You can choose your own birthday party themes like superheroes, dinosaurs, or pirates at the Children’s Creativity Museum. (No alcohol allowed.)
- On certain Sundays, Randall Museum is available for art or animal birthday parties! (No alcohol allowed.)
- Have an “otterly best birthday” (LOL) at the Aquarium of the Bay. Good for all ages! It includes a 20-minute animal encounter, a tour, and age-appropriate activities and crafts!
North Bay
- Choose from 2 indoor spaces at the Bay Area Discovery Museum for a fun party for any age! It can accommodate anywhere from 25 to 100 guests!
South Bay
- You will definitely have a ton of indoor fun at CuriOdyssey in San Mateo. You can party with the animals or have fun getting science-y while you celebrate! (No alcohol allowed.)
East Bay
- The Oakland Zoo has educational birthday parties (in a fun way!) with age-appropriate stories, live animal presentations, and projects for kids age 2-8 years old! All the fun is held in their classroom, so it’s rainproof. (No alcohol allowed.)
- Go out of this world with up to 30 guests of any age in a space-themed decorated room at the Chabot Space and Science Center.
- For the guest of honor (age 4-11), Lawrence Hall of Science in Berkeley has fun labs and exhibits specifically for the birthday kid!
- Habitot Children’s Museum in Berkeley is perfect for ages 1-5 for a play-based experience party. Plus, you can rent the entire museum! (No alcohol allowed.)
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Professional Sporting Venues
Yes, some of these places come with a hefty price tag, but if you are a hardcore fan of these teams, then you have a great excuse to go for it… you survived another year of being a parent! If your kid is under 2, many of these places don’t count them as a “person”, so even more of a reason to do it while you can get them (and their friends) for free!
San Francisco
- Oh I wish we could do this for our boys, but we have a Dodger fan in the house…. boooooo, go Giants! San Francisco Giants has birthday tour packages starting at $750 with a 15 guest maximum. Part of the tour is outdoors, but much of it is inside. If you want something more exclusive or larger – they have a Legends Birthday Party Package for $1,250 for a group of 15-30 people. For the biggest of fans – you can invite Lou the Seal for an extra $200. toursinfo@attpark.com (Alcohol available.)
South Bay
- 49ers fans, you can have a birthday party at Levi’s Stadium! You can also invite special 49ers guests to your party like Sourdough Sam or the 49ers Gold Rush Cheerleaders. (Alcohol available.)
- San Jose Sharks do not have special birthday packages, but their season is right smack in the middle of the rainy season! Suites start at $5,500. The “Penthouse Loft” can host 18-36 guests. At least you won’t have to cook or clean! (You should ask about what they consider the age of a “person” to be in their guest count.) (Alcohol available.)
East Bay
- A birthday bash at the Golden State Warriors will definitely break your bank – but hey, this is a list for everyone. Suites start at $8,000 where you get 16 tickets (kids under 24-months are free). (Alcohol available.)
- Getting a suite for a Raiders game can start with 10 people and go up to 60 people! (Alcohol available.)
- When it’s baseball season, you can have birthday parties for your kids before an A’s game! Don’t forget your team gear for the party!
Sacramento
- Sacramento King’s suites start from around $2500 and fit anywhere from 8 tickets to 17 tickets. (Alcohol available.)
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Restaurants, Breweries, and Wineries – All of these can involve wine!
Most of these places are perfect for younger birthdays when the main focus is really for the adults to celebrate making it through the year. However, some of these are great for older kids too! (Make your own pizza party, anyone?)
San Francisco
- Rent the double-decker bus at Spark food truck park in Mission Bay for a party in a vintage English style bus.
- For kids ages 10-18 years old, check out the Kids’ Party option at Urban Putt! This includes mini-golf, pizza, and also Game Room rental with basketball and Skee-ball arcade games.
- Giorgio’s on Clement hosts make-your-own-pizza parties where kids can make a mini pizza themselves! Who wouldn’t be excited about that?
- Larson Family Winery technically doesn’t have that big of an indoor space, but their picnic tables are covered and have a roof and heat lamps! They are super kid-friendly. Check out our list of kid-friendly wineries for pictures and more information!
South Bay
- La Honda Winery in Redwood City has available indoor space for birthday parties! They are not afraid of one-year-old birthday parties and maybe even older kids.
East Bay
- Have an all you can eat food and dessert party at John’s Incredible Pizza in Newark with 1,000 of your closest friends. You can even have a glow party!
- East Brother Beer in Richmond is kid-friendly, and allows parties! They can hold a table for groups of 10 or more during their open hours, or host private parties when they are not open.
*Tip: Parties are always such a blur for the hosts. It’s also hard to capture the precious moments when you’re busy running around and enjoying your kid’s big day. One way to make sure that you have pictures of the special day (that you are also actually in) is to have a professional photographer at your party! I would love to help your memories last a lifetime. Check out my photography page! I know A LOT about the best spots for photos around San Francisco. If you’d rather have birthday photos at a different time/location than your party, then I can help you with that as well! Mention this blog to receive 10% off your session.
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Club House Rentals
San Francisco
San Francisco Recreation and Parks have tons of clubhouse options (about 85 of them). Many of them are at parks, so if it does not rain on that day, kids can go outside too! (NOTE: If you want to reserve the outdoor space, in most places, you have to get a separate permit. For more details check out their general clubhouse rental page.) Here are some of our favorites:
- Lake Merced Boathouse was recently renovated, and it’s on the water! $159 per hour for the weekdays and $240 per hour on the weekend. The indoor space accommodates up to 126 people.
- Party in the woods at Stern Grove Clubhouse – this is definitely a more high-end rental with options starting at about $166 per hour (6-hour minimum) on the weekends. But it’s so gorgeous!
- This “clubhouse” is really a conservatory with a hundred-year-old garden and was built in 1898. Sunnyside Conservatory is available as a much cheaper option on Sundays at $104/hour plus a $500 deposit.
- One of the least expensive options at $49/hour, Hayes Valley Clubhouse comes with tables and chairs, and there’s a playground right outside if the rain decides to stop! (Jumpers and alcohol not allowed.)
- The Joe DiMaggio Clubhouse is right on a playground (just in case it doesn’t rain), and it is available to rent on the weekends. The rental includes tables and chairs. (Alcohol not allowed.)
- Have a boat themed party at the Stow Lake Boathouse! The smaller room is already equipped with nautical décor. Parking is also available – unheard of in the city! (Rentals start at $100 an hour.)
Don’t Forget These Party Supplies for Your Club House Party
The beauty of having a party at a clubhouse is that the world is your oyster (I’m honestly not even sure I know what that saying really means… :)). Anyways, you can make it any theme you want! Check this out for inspiration!
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Play Space Rentals
San Francisco
- A local favorite – Recess Collective is the perfect place to hold a chic birthday party for your kid that will impress all of your guests.
- If you’re looking for a cute space with staff to assist in setup, service and clean up, then you should check out Play Haven.
- We are a fan of places with the tagline “zero clean up” and that’s what you can get at Gymboree for birthday parties of kids ages 1-5.
- JCCSF has plenty of rooms to rent that are indoors. There are options to include production equipment like a mirror ball and dance floors! (Alcohol available.)
- Imagination Playhouse is a super fun place for a birthday party that even has Disney themed options to add on to their birthday packages.
- Choose from fun themes like aliens, rock stars, or even a midsummer night’s dream at the Coop for a fun and playful party!
South Bay
- Let your birthday kid and guests go wild on slides at Peek-a-Boo in Daly City. They have many different themes to choose from to make your party perfect! (No alcohol allowed.)
- Have a hassle-free party at the La Petit Playhouse in Redwood City. One hour of exclusive playtime for your guests and 45 minutes in the party room! (No alcohol allowed.)
- Have your guests buzz around at Billy Beez in San Jose. Choose from several themes to make your dream party come true. Plus, your guests will get ALL DAY play park access! It will definitely be a buzz-worthy party!
- For your wild animal lover, choose to have a party at Safari Run in San Mateo or Sunnyvale.
- So chic, so pretty! Have a fancy party for up to 75 people for your Queen Bee (or King) at Bumble in Los Altos.
- If you have little ones turning 1-4, check out the party packages at Diddaliddoo in San Bruno.
*Rainy Day Birthday Photograph options are all over the San Francisco Bay Area! Emily Jenks Photography knows all the best spots to capture these beautiful moments!
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Arts, Dance, and Music Studios
San Francisco
- Reserve Little Artistas’ space for a birthday party for one hour of arts and crafts and another for other birthday festivities. They can even come to your home in SF or the Bay Area too!
- Do some woodworking (starting at age 3!) at the Butterfly Joint in the Outer Richmond.
- For a non-structured, free fun art party, check out Messy Art Lab.
- For kids ages 3-10, the Rabbit Hole can put on an entertaining party with a puppet show and games. There are 11 different themes, or you can customize your own!
- Basically, you can create the perfect party of your dreams with Steppin Out Dance Studio. You can have a “regular” party or add a dance workshop.
- You are sure to have a wonderful birthday party at the Tutu School. It can include a ballet class with a birthday story featuring your guest of honor. Choose from 3 different packages.
- For older kids who can draw for 2 hours – Cartoon Art Museum offers private lessons!
- Do you have a future scientist in your house? Celsius and Beyond have science-themed parties like Electric Cars, Tie Dye, Magic Potion, or others!
- For kids 6+, Chris Babcock Art hosts customized painting birthday parties.
- For a truly unique party for your kids who are interested in learning acrobatics, aerial arts, clowning, and flying trapeze, Circus Center offers parties for kids aged 7+.
- Destination Art is a studio in North Beach where you can have a party with lots of artsy projects. They have a full kitchen, so you can prepare food – or have a cooking class. (Alcohol allowed.)
- Starting for children 27-months to 10 years old – Children’s Art Center is available for kids’ birthday parties that involve art like painting, sculpture, printmaking, playdough, collage, and more.
- Hold a birthday party to remember by throwing a cooking party at Culinary Artistas in Ghiradelli Square!
- Check out this fully staffed, entertaining, ceramic fun for kids option – bring your own pizza and cake at Terra Mia Decorative Art Studio.
- For your future fashion designers – Wee Scotty has handbag making birthday parties!
- Do you want your kid to be a future chef? (I do!) Y.U.M. Chefs offers cooking parties.
- If you have a kid between 2-8 years of age, Geary Dance Center provides the chance to run around and express themselves in dance classes! For older kids, they have HIP HOP and Jazz parties too.
- Charlie’s Corner has a private event space that is perfect for storytime and puppet shows if you’re looking for a literary-based party theme!
North Bay
- Love 2 Dance in Novato has plenty of theme options for a fun dance party!
- For your K-8 kids with a love of Legos – check out Play Well in San Anselmo! This is perfect for a Lego lovers dream party.
South Bay
- Color Me Mine has many locations in the South and East Bay and was rated as one of Parent Magazine’s top 10 places to have a party! Have your kids (even babies can make handprints!) paint on ceramics! Everyone will have something to take home! (Note that they will have to go pick it up at a later date.)
- For kids 48” or taller, K1 Speed can host racing parties and has locations in San Francisco, Berkeley, Burlingame, Millbrae, Oakland, San Jose, and San Mateo.
- Brain Vyne hosts parties in Palo Alto for the Lego enthusiasts with Lego themed (Star Wars, Ninjago, etc.) parties! Best for 4-12 years old.
East Bay
- Choose between pottery, painting, glass fusing, mosaic-making, canvas painting, or clay projects at Brushstrokes Studio in Berkeley. The guest of honor will bring home a personalized Birthday Plate signed by the guests!
- Get artsy at Sticky Art Lab in Berkeley for a one-hour art project party for 14 kids.
- You can have a fun private art event at this cute place in Alameda – Twirl. You can even rent a cotton candy machine! Amazing.
- MOCHA in Oakland has art parties for all ages with cool themes like Puppets & Masks and Fairytales Do Come True.
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Get Them Moving
If your birthday kid is a fan of moving around, they should have a blast at any of these places with their friends!
San Francisco
- Book a jumping party at House of Air – their packages include onsite party coordinators!
- Parties held at Pump it Up allow for all ages, but are most suitable for kids over 34 inches. This inflatable indoor playground will be a 100% private space for you to enjoy – both the playtime and the party room time. They have numerous party options to fit your needs.
- Yoga party!! It’s Yoga Kids holds yoga parties that also involve birthday fun and games!
- Yerbua Buena Ice Skating and Bowling – holds parties year-round! What a fun way to celebrate!
- Have a Karate Party at Zanshin Martial Arts. Parties are available for kids turning as young as 3 years old!
- Tumble and jump around at My Gym – they take care of setup, decorations, birthday party favors, refreshments, and clean up!
- Obstacle courses and gymnastic equipment at SF Gymnastics in the Fillmore Center make for a super fun party.
- Best for kids 4 and up, run, jump, swing, bounce, bungee, or zip line, and then celebrate the birthday kid in the solarium at AcroSports.
- South Bay
- Gymtowne Gymnastics in South San Francisco will cover everything from invitations to fun gym time!
- Little Gym is perfect for a pretty much hands-free experience. It’s also perfect for your jitterbugs ages 1-12! Several locations too- Mountain View, Millbrae, San Jose, or Brentwood.
- For a chilly, but fun time – rent the ice skating rink for a skating or hockey party at the Silver Creek Sportsplex in San Jose.
- Host a rock climbing party at Planet Granite in Sunnyvale (other locations in San Francisco and Belmont)!
East Bay
- Aquatech in Alameda is a pool party in all seasons for all ages – (Alcohol is allowed!)
- Choose from rock climbing, inflatables, laser tag, soccer, or waterslides while you eat pizza at Bladium in Alameda.
- Rent the East Oakland Sports Center pool and room facilities! This pool is pretty much an indoor water park with slides, lazy rivers, and a toddler play area.
North Bay
- Book a private group event at Rockin’ Jump in Santa Rosa for your birthday kid that loves to move (and rock)!
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Home Sweet Home or Empty Club House – Entertainers
If you do decide to go the route of throwing a bash at home – make sure to check out these entertainers and services that will make your life easier! Perk? You can serve as much wine and beer as you want! Hire a cleaning crew for before and/or after to make your life easier! This might still end up cheaper than renting a place! Another perk? You can get fun and affordable party supplies and decorations to make it any theme you want!
San Francisco and Beyond (Check with the entertainer)
- A magic show, dance party, and balloon twisters by themed characters – Happily Ever Laughter has so many non-Disney characters to choose from!
- Bring all the fun songs to your party by hiring the Music for Aardvarks. You’ll have a rockin’ party for sure!
- Bring your favorite music teacher from Music Together to your party! (Max 14 kids)
- Fan of folkie family music? Ask the Little Folkies to come over to play – they even have an option of full-band performances!
- JAMaRoo can have 40-minutes of fun-packed interactive entertainment through singing songs, playing with instruments, and puppets.
- If you are looking for a ventriloquist, one man band, magician, or cowgirl, then look no further than the Giddyup Productions.
- Did you rent a clubhouse or do you have a large open room at your house? Bay Area Soft Play will come and set up a “tot gym” type space at your location!
- Invite a mad scientist from Mad Science over to your place for some cool science shows – some of their shows require outdoor space, but this can be done indoors too!
- With the ability to hire anything from a singing princess to face painting, Amazing Fairytale Parties will make your prince or princess’s dream come true!
- Fur, Scales, and Tails can be hired for a 30 min long show followed by petting, holding, and picture taking of furry and scaly (snakes) animals! As long as your kid enjoys these animals, they will have a blast!
- Amazing Rachel will come dressed in pretty much whatever fits your party theme and entertain your kids! She has so many activities that can fit your kid’s interests and age group!
- Are you into talking parrot shows? Happy Birds has 5-6 parrots that can perform and do tricks for your birthday kid!
- Happy Bright Kids serves birthday kids all over the Bay Area and has so many different entertainments available like magic, puppets, face painting, interactive games, and balloon twisting.
*Tip: Parties take so much work. If you want to really enjoy your party and focus on the important things, then consider hiring someone to do the dirty work for you! Use this link to get $55 off when you schedule your first home cleaning or handyman service!
Don’t Forget These Party Supplies for Your House Party
The beauty of having a party at your own home is that you can throw an any-themed, any-hour party! Check this out for inspiration!
There you have it!
Have you had a party at any of these places? Did we miss anything? Let us know what you think!
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