Chabot Space & Science Center - Oakland (CA)

5 /5 Dave Wu: If you’re looking for a magical, educational, and family-friendly way to spend an evening in the Bay Area, Chabot Space & Science Center’s First Friday Nights are an absolute must. Held on the first Friday of each month from 6–10 PM, these themed nights transform the Oakland hills into a vibrant celebration of science, creativity, and community.  Each month brings a fresh theme—from “A Galaxy (Not So) Far Away” to “Pride” and “Spooky Science”—offering a unique blend of hands-on activities, live music, and engaging presentations. The center comes alive with interactive exhibits, DJ dance parties, and opportunities to explore the cosmos through telescope viewings and planetarium shows.  Admission is accessible, priced at $10 for adults, $5 for kids and seniors, and free for members. Whether you’re crafting cosmic art, dancing under the stars, or delving into the wonders of the universe, First Friday Nights at Chabot offer an unforgettable experience for explorers of all ages.  Located at 10000 Skyline Blvd in Oakland, the center’s setting amidst the redwoods adds to the enchanting atmosphere. It’s a perfect evening outing for families, friends, or anyone with a curiosity about the cosmos. Don’t miss the chance to be part of this stellar event—mark your calendar for the next First Friday Night at Chabot Space & Science Center!  

5 /5 bartellj: One of the oldest space in science independent learning centers in the country! The original telescope here is over 140 years old and it still works! This is one of the only places in California that has a public telescope of this size. The facility is high above Oakland in the redwood trees, which is a stark difference from downtown. This is a great place for kids. There’s so many activities, including a planetarium and lots of space and science displays. If you go in the winter, try out the sock skating.

5 /5 Alex Chan: Exhibits are sponsored by the NASA Ames Research Center. The garage and parking spaces accomodate guests. The show schedules hourly in the doom screen is very astouning. The cafeteria is not busy like many other museums. The family can explore the planet on a fine weather day. The gift store has so many to choose for the science and planetary feature. It is amust go place for family day trip.

5 /5 Tara Mostofi: Such a great center. Loved the planetsrium and NASA Ames Visitors Center. Wonderful place to bring the kids and get them hooked on STEM!

5 /5 Anjana Amirapu: I’m reviewing Chabot as a wedding reception venue space. If you want an unforgettable, unique experience for you and your guests, this is the perfect place for you! The event planning team at Chabot is super professional and caring. You can utilize the planetarium for ceremonies for your guests and still have all the traditional aspects of a reception in the main museum or in the halls they offer. If you book on certain days, your guests can also partake in the free telescope viewing. It was an incredible venue and the best part is your venue rentals are used to support science education and the museum’s main mission of inspiring the next generation! Definitely recommend for couples looking for a different type of venue and an unforgettable experience. Thank you Chabot for helping create a lifelong memory!