Private Events

With a vaulted, open-beamed ceiling, stunning views of Monterey Bay, and private adjoining deck, the La Feliz Room is a spectacular setting for your next meeting or gathering. Your rental of this beautiful room includes complimentary audio visual equipment, tables and chairs, and access to a service kitchen. Your guests are also welcome to explore the Exhibit Hall during our open hours at no additional cost.

Capacity: 

 98 (120 – 150 with the deck)

Size:

1,478 sq. ft. (approx. 29’x50′)

Amenities:

• Tables and Chairs: Padded conference chairs, banquet tables, cocktail tables and console tables.
• Audio Visual Equipment: podium with microphone, lapel microphone, handheld microphone, overhead projector, speakers, and Zoom technology.
• Service Kitchen: commercial refrigerator, conventional stove/oven, sink.
• FREE admission to the Exhibit Hall for all event guests while we are open to the public.

Three spacious, interconnected ocean-view rooms make our Exhibit Hall a truly one-of-a-kind event space. Showcasing ocean research and marine conservation efforts, the Exhibit Hall features an aquarium that brings your guests face to face with the creatures of the Monterey Bay. Wander outside to Shipwreck Deck—a private, ocean bluff deck with sweeping views of Monterey Bay. Only available after we close to the public. 

Capacity: 

Standing: 200

Size:

4,624 sq. ft., with stationary exhibits throughout.

Rental Hours: 

4–10 PM, Monday–Thursday

4–11 PM, Friday–Sunday

Want your guests to experience the Monterey Bay first hand? Request volunteer docents to be stationed at our seawater touchtable for an experience your guests won’t stop talking about. 

For a truly unforgettable event, reserve the entire Seymour Center for your own Night at the Museum extravaganza.

Capacity: 

Standing: 250
Meal Seating: 150

Size:

6,102 sq. ft.

We are currently booking through December 2025. We will start booking 2026 on January 1, 2025.

Email seymourprivateevents@ucsc.edu to book your tour today!

We would be delighted to lead you on a personal tour of our venue! If you would like to take a tour of the Seymour Center to see what we have to offer, our regular tour hours are Monday through Friday, from 9AM to 4:30PM. Tours are approximately 30 minutes. Tours may be scheduled outside of these times based on staff availability.

Email seymourprivateevents@ucsc.edu or call 831-459-1578 to book your tour today!

If you would like to go on a self-guided tour, you are welcome to visit Seymour Center anytime during our public open hours.

Booking Questions

What’s the booking process?

To reserve a date, we need three things from you:

1. A Event Questionnaire (a Google form so we can get more information about your event) 
2. A signed contract
3. $500 non-refundable deposit. 

We use your answers from the questionnaire to create the contract. Your event is confirmed once your contract is signed and your deposit is paid.

Do you have discounts for nonprofits and government agencies? 

We do! Email seymourprivateevents@ucsc.edu or call 831-459-1578 for details. 

Do you have UCSC alumni and faculty discounts? 

Unfortunately, we do not. Events paid for through UC accounting get special rates, but we do not have discounts in place for alumni or faculty at this time. 

Is my down payment refundable? 

It is not. Deposits cover the staff time taken to help coordinate your event, even if you cancel. 

I can’t do a tour during the week. Do you offer weekend tours? 

We offer weekend tours on a case by case basis. Email us your availability and we will do our best to accommodate you. 

Planning Your Event 

How do we pay for parking and how much is it? 

Our parking lot is managed by UCSC’s parking department, TAPS. Parking is $1.95/hour or $9.45 for the day and must be paid for via the ParkMobile app.

If you want to pay for parking for your event guests, TAPS can send parking attendants down to our lot to issue permits for your event guests. 

How many people can fit in your space?

250 is the maximum number of guests allowed at the Seymour Center. The capacity of the La Feliz room and deck is 120.

Can we have music on the decks?

Light background music is fine on the decks before sunset. After sunset, all amplified music must remain indoors.

Will the Ocean Discovery shop be open during our event? 

The Ocean Discovery Shop is open from 10AM – 4PM, Tuesday through Sunday. 

Can we set some things up in the parking lot? 

The Seymour Center does not own our parking lot so this is decided on a case by case basis. No alcohol is permitted in the parking lot. 

What are your Zoom capabilities? 

We have a DTEN for Zoom and hybrid meetings. 

Can I have a live band? 

Absolutely! An acoustic band is permitted anywhere in the space. A band playing amplified music must remain indoors. 

Can we use a caterer who is not on your preferred list? 

You may use a caterer not on our preferred list, but please clear them with us first. We will ask that they carry insurance, have them sign a contract and tour the space before the event. 

Can we have food and drink in the Exhibit Hall? 

Once we are closed to the public, food and drink is permitted throughout the Exhibit Hall, except by our seawater touchable. 

Are there any nearby hotels that you’d recommend? 

Yes! Let us know you’re looking for in a hotel and we’ll be happy to make recommendations. 

Setup, Breakdown and Decoration Questions

Do you have staff to help setup and break down the event? 

We may be able to set up and break down some day time conferences, depending on availability. We do not offer this service for other types of events. We recommend hiring a full-service caterer, a coordinator or cleanup crew.

Can I pay extra to set up in the Exhibit Hall earlier than 4PM? 

Only on days we are closed to the public. We do not offer this option on days we are open to the public because our first priority is educating people about the role scientific research plays in the understanding and conservation of the world’s oceans.

Can we leave things overnight? 

We charge $1,200 for clients to set up for two hours the evening before their event and leave the items overnight. 

If there are no events the following morning, clients can leave rentals on the La Feliz deck overnight free of charge. 

If you would like to come the following day to break down and clean up your event, it must be arranged in advance and is not guaranteed. This option also costs $1,200. 

Can we decorate the Exhibit Hall? 

Absolutely, as long as decorations are free standing or tied up. Please do not tape, tack or nail items anywhere in the Exhibit Hall. 

Keep in mind that set up in the Exhibit Hall cannot begin until after we close the public at 4PM so it’s best to keep decorations to a minimum. 

Do you have a dolly we can use?
We do not. We recommend you bring one to help take out the trash and take things to your car. 

Do you have a ladder we can use? 

We do not. It’s a liability issue so we ask clients to bring their own. 

Can we tape things on the walls?

Please do not tape things anywhere inside or outside the space. 

Can we use your admissions desk as our check in desk? 

Only Seymour Center staff are allowed behind the Admissions desk. 

Can we have real flowers? What about fake ones? 

Both real and artificial flowers are permitted, but please keep them on the tables. No flowers or flower petals (real or fake) are allowed on the ground inside or outside. 

Can I have candles? 

Candles are fine as long as they’re in a container that is one inch higher than the flame. 

Can I have lighting on the deck? 

Absolutely, as long as the lighting doesn’t disturb the native plants. 

Why don’t you allow shells, sea stars and balloons for decorations? 

It’s due to the environmental impact. Sea shells sold at stores are often taken from live animals. Collecting shells from the beach is harmful to beach ecosystems and endangers the organisms that depend on them. Balloons are made of plastic and if released, often end up in the ocean.

Wedding Questions 

Can we get married on the point overlooking the ocean (by the gray whale skeleton)? 

The point sits on top of the seawater pump that supplies the water for all the Long Marine Lab’s live animals. Unfortunately, nothing can be set up on or around the access to the pump. 

Do we need a wedding coordinator? 

A wedding coordinator or a full-service caterer is strongly recommended, but only required for weddings with more than 50 guests. If you do not have a wedding coordinator or a full-service caterer, you must have a sober day of contact and have your cleanup plan approved by the Private Events Office. 

What’s a common ceremony time? 

Ceremonies on the La Feliz deck can happen at any time. Ceremonies on the Shipwreck Deck normally take place at 4:30 or 5PM, depending on how much decoration you’re setting up. 

Is there a space for the bride to get ready? 

If it is not being used by our School Programs department, you can rent one of our classrooms for a private changing and storage space. Please note that there is no running water or mirrors in the classrooms. 

What do we do if it’s raining? 

In the event of rain, ceremonies can be moved inside to the Exhibit Hall or the La Feliz room.