The Details About Hosting an Event at the Museum

SITE VISITS

We are delighted to schedule an appointment to showcase the San Diego Natural History Museum for your venue consideration. Please contact the Museum Event Sales Department at 619.255.0316 or use the contact form to request a personal tour.

AVAILABILITY

The San Diego Natural History Museum is available year round to host events. Please call our Museum Event Sales Department at 619.255.0316 or use the contact form to check availability for specific dates and times. The San Diego Natural History Museum facilities are not available for private events on Christmas Day or Thanksgiving Day.

COURTESY DATE HOLDS

You may request a courtesy hold on a single event date. Holds are good for one month. If another client inquires about your desired date, you have the first right of refusal.

NON PROFIT DISCOUNT

The Museum offers a 10% discount to non-profit organizations with a 501(c)(3) letter.

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES

The Museum has an agreement with an exclusive beverage provider that must be contracted with directly. Non-alcoholic beverages may be provided by your selected caterer.

CATERERS

The required caterers are listed on our Preferred Vendor List and have proven to provide outstanding service to our clients. They are familiar with the Museum’s layout, regulations and policies. You may choose a non-preferred caterer for a surcharge of $500 and provide request the caterer provide proof of liability insurance per the terms of the event contract. Additionally, a walk-through with our Security Department is required prior to the event.

EQUIPMENT AND RENTALS

The San Diego Natural History Museum does not own or provide tables, chairs, linens, easels, staging, carts, or catering equipment. Please contract a rental company directly or work with your caterer for all rental needs.

WEDDING COORDINATOR

To ensure that your special day runs smoothly, it is required that you secure a qualified Wedding Planner, some of whom are listed on the attached Preferred Vendor List .

INVITATIONS

Invitations or announcements are to be approved by the SDNHM Events Department prior to printing or distribution. This approval process permits the Museum to ensure accuracy of the information and branding.

AUDIO/VISUAL AND LIGHTING

The San Diego Natural History Museum comes equipped with a public-address system in the Atrium that can be made available. Outside sound systems cannot be plugged into this system. The San Diego Natural History Museum offers audio/visual rental equipment and technician services for meeting rooms and the J.W. Sefton Boardroom.

Additional lighting and audiovisual equipment may be brought into the San Diego Natural History Museum. A walk-through with the contracted audio visual and lighting company must occur with the San Diego Natural History Museum for approval of additional lighting, screens, microphones, projection, etc.

EVENT MANAGEMENT

Once the Museum is booked for your event, comprehensive planning will begin with your event manager. We provide extensive support to ensure professional execution of your event. We will work closely with you to finalize all your logistics including catering, diagrams, and scheduling a walk-through.

STAFFING

The San Diego Natural History Museum Special Event staff will be onsite the day of your event to assist the Museum event manager with logistics within the Museum. This staff is not available to set up, tear down, move inventory, or assist contracted vendors during the event. Please work with your selected vendors to ensure ample working staff is scheduled for your event.

SECURITY

SDNHM requires Museum Security to be hired for the event.  They are prepared to contact the proper authorities to handle any type of accident.

EL MIRADOR ROOFTOP MUSIC AND HOURS

DJs and/or bands are permitted on the El Mirador Rooftop. Events scheduled on the rooftop must conclude by midnight.

EXHIBITIONS

Exhibition pricing and schedules vary. Please inquire about group-ticket pricing.

KITCHEN FACILITIES AND USAGE

The San Diego Natural History Museum is equipped with two catering kitchens that may be used by caterers.

CANDLES AND DÉCOR

Décor items must comply with local fire department regulations. Battery operated LED tea-lights may be used. No candles or other tea lights may be used.

INSURANCE

SDNHM requires liability insurance in a minimum of $1 million listing the Museum as additionally insured for the duration of the event. All vendors working in the building are required to provide this insurance. Preferred Vendors listed have this information on file.  

PARKING

Parking is free in Balboa Park. The San Diego Natural History Museum does not own or operate the parking lots adjacent to the Museum. They are owned and operated by the City of San Diego. You may reserve parking spots by contacting the City of San Diego directly to obtain a permit for these spots. If you would like to offer valet services to your guests, please contact a valet company directly.

SMOKING

The Museum and Balboa Park are designated as non-smoking areas, including the El Mirador Rooftop.

THE BEA EVENSON FOUNTAIN ON THE PRADO

Please contact Balboa Park management directly to inquire about the Bea Evenson Fountain details including permit, fees surrounding space, and hours of operation at www.balboapark.org .