10 of the Top Event and Co-Working Spaces in the Bay Area

If you’re tele-working or hosting an event in the Silicon Valley region, it all starts with location, location, location. Fortunately, there are many gorgeous venue spaces that have top notch on-site experts, the latest in technology (of course), and—by San Francisco standards, at least—are pretty accessible with ample parking. However, if you really want to kick things up a notch, consider booking a space that brings something brand new to the table.

Here are ten of the best, most unique event spaces in the San Francisco area. This list is by no means complete, but it definitely includes several spaces that may be perfect for your next event.

 

1. HanaHaus, Palo Alto:

Perfect as a hot desking experience or a smaller get together, HanaHaus bills itself as the next evolution in shared space and it’s situated right in the middle of Palo Alto’s University Avenue (where all the action happens). Dubbed a “community of purpose,” it’s a café experience that welcomes startup founders, creatives, and entrepreneurs from around the world. Tuck into your work for some dedicated tunnel vision time, or socialize and share your ideas with colleagues and experts. When you're done with the work of the day, stop by Sushiritto or Oren's Hummus for a bite.

 

2. Pivotal Labs, San Francisco:

What really sets Pivotal apart is the snacks! It’s the true Silicon Valley experience complete with standing desks, table tennis, and all the comforts of home so you can buckle down for those epic sessions. Yes, Pivotal is a business, not purely an event space, but it takes a business to know what a fellow business needs for a venue. If you've been to a recent Startup Grind in the Bay Area, you'll know it well: Pivotal Labs is host to Startup Grind in San Francisco and Silicon Valley.

 

3. If(we), San Francisco:

For meet ups outside of SOMA , if(we) is among the most popular locations. The headquarters for this successful social products incubator is in The City’s Jackson Square district near Levi Plaza. if(we)’s 2nd story space reflects the character of this historic neighborhood. Groups from 20-200 meet here regularly and many consider this one of the most flexible spaces to accommodate specific group needs. The company often hosts the bar too.

 

4. Bespoke, San Francisco:

“Tailored for tech” is the tagline of this event space. Bespoke offers equal parts coworking, demo, and event space, and is nestled in the desirable Westfield neighborhood of San Francisco. Tech and retail meet naturally at this point, and it’s the platform for Bespoke’s offerings.

 

5. Wix, San Francisco:

This company uses Wix vendors for delectable food, which is made better by having amazing views. Right now, Wix is focusing on offering more workshops, more events, more classes, and more of just about everything! If you're designing your own site on Wix, the company's designers and engineers are often available for one-on-one advising to get you from idea to web presence.

 

6. Medallia, Palo Alto:

Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Medallia is a “customer experience company that is one of the fastest growing in its space. It also just happens to offer some killer venue space that StartupGrind has taken advantage of for its first ever Summer Party this year.

7. Impact Hub, Oakland:

Oakland has become one of the hottest tech locations in the Bay Area, as companies move out of San Francisco to escape high real estate prices. It also hosts some of the best event venues in the region. One of them, Impact Hub, is right in the middle of the action. You can choose to rent the Omi Gallery, On Broadway, The Atrium, or Jingletown Lounge. With a mission to “create solutions for a world that works for all,” it’s one of Oakland’s prime picks.

8. Critosphere, Fremont:

“Work harder, better, faster, longer” is the motto at Critosphere, the perfect Fremont choice for taking care of business. You can pick from renting The Egg (a personal workspace) to taking advantage of one of the many conference rooms or open floor plans. Online booking is a breeze, so you can rent your space and get cracking.

9. Tech Museum, Mountain View:

Check out some of the most innovative surroundings in the heart of “true Silicon Valley”—but watch out! You may get distracted by all the interactive exhibits (this is still a museum, you know). There are various sized venues to choose from, and for special events nothing trumps blanketing yourself in the latest tech advances.

10. Mothership, Berkeley:

If you’re a mom who needs support while opening a business, brainstorming a startup, or telecommuting, the Mothership is calling. Mothership is just for moms and has everything you really need for the daily grind, including a supporting community..

Have you tried all of these event spaces in the Bay Area, or do you know of another top pick that should be added to the list? The perfect venue space is really just what’s perfect to (and for) you. To optimize your work, get things done more efficiently, and take in some great views in the process, consider this your cheat sheet to San Francisco’s venue scene.