Facility Rentals

TO REQUEST A RENTAL:

1. Check availability: 

Horticulture 2 (Hort 2) calendar  

2. Review rental space capacity, fees and amenities

3. Submit our online Rental Request Form 

_{Note: Even if the Hort 2 calendar shows that the room is available, reservations are not guaranteed until our Arboretum staff confirm all the details with each renter.}

* Effective July 1, 2025: 

Our facility rental fees have increased - please review before submitting your Rental Request Form

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VENUES  

Horticulture 2 Meeting Hall ("Hort 2") 

Our Hort 2 meeting hall is ideal for meetings, lectures, and training or instruction. It may also be used for memorials and celebration of life gatherings.                                                                               

                               

Rental Fees:

        Full Day:    9am to 5pm   

• $450 campus groups
• $700 off-campus groups    

Small group/half day:  < 30 people and less than 4 hrs       

• $290 campus groups
• $400 off-campus groups*

Dimensions:

Capacity:

Amenities:

• 75 chairs and 12 rectangular 6’ tables 
• Wall mounted projection screen (10’ x 10’) , microphone and amplification, mobile wooden podium, and small projector table
• Wifi (via ‘UCSC Guest’ or 'Eduroam') 
• A large, wooden 'conference' table at the back of the room is ideal for food and drink set up
• A small sink, microwave and kitchen countertop. Refrigerator space can be arranged ahead of time.
• Operable heater with thermostat (no AC)
• 3 walls with operable windows for fresh air and floor fans available upon request

 Additions:

• $50/day:   Projector (5000 lumen - includes projector set up with hdmi cable to podium)     
• $175:        Room Set-up fee (we'll rearrange chairs and tables for you) 
• $75/day:   DTEN - equipment for video conferencing, linked to UCSC Google calendar 'rooms' 

*Off Campus Rentals are required to submit a $500 security deposit and to secure event insurance - see details below.                       

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Outdoor Patio Area

Available as an Add-On to Hort 2 Meeting Hall Rental ONLY

       

Rental Fee:

• $350 campus and non-campus users 

Rental Add-on includes set-up of up to 12 white folding chairs and up to 3 folding tables if not already in use from inside Hort 2.     

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Additional Rental Information

The Arboretum is OPEN: 9am - 5pm

Early Hours:

Early hours can be arranged IF staff are available and for an additional fee.

All equipment, supplies, food, etc. must be removed, the space cleaned up, trash secured and all event attendees off the premises by the Arboretum's 5pm closing time. The renter agrees to pay an additional fee of $200 per hour for exceeding these times. 

Parking

Up to 30 vehicles maximum. Encourage your guests to car-pool, ride bikes, bus or walk to the Arboretum. Our Visitor Parking lot has about 70 parking spots that are shared between our renters and our daily garden visitors. 

Additional parking & shuttle service may be coordinated with the campus’ Transportation and Parking Services unit, TAPS. For information and booking contact TAPS at: https://taps.ucsc.edu/parking/event-parking/index.html  

Room Set-Up 

Each rental option must include additional times for SET-UP and CLEAN-UP WITHIN THE STATED HOURS. If you don't have time or wish to simplify your rental experience, the Arboretum provides the service of Room Set-Up for $175. 
If you choose to do your own room set-up, you must agree to the Set Up Instructions on the rental agreement.

Catering:

See the UCSC Approved Caterers List. You do not need to use a caterer from this list if you are picking up and bringing catered food to the Arboretum yourself or if the caterer is dropping off prepared food. 

Alcohol: 

ABC may be required for events involving alcohol - Alcohol Beverage Control licensing and permit requirements can be found at https//:abc.ca.gov/ . For rentals wishing to have beer or wine for guests to enjoy, please assign someone responsible for not allowing anyone under the age of 21 access to alcohol during the event. 

Security Deposit and Payment 

Security Deposit: A $500 deposit is required to book for all non-campus affiliated rentals. The full deposit will be returned within three weeks after the event should no damages or additional fees be incurred.
Full payment is required to book the meeting hall. The full facility rental fee must be received no later than 15 days prior to the event.  Failure to remit payment may result in loss of reservation and forfeiture of fees paid to date.
Damage to plants, equipment, furniture or carpet will result in charges equal to the cleaning or replacement costs and will be taken out of the security deposit. 

Campus Affiliates:

Discounted rental fees are offered for UCSC departmental and student organization meetings, events, training and campus-sponsored celebrations. The discount does not apply to students, staff or faculty using the space for personal events. In the case of memorials & celebrations of life for a UCSC student, staff or faculty member, we will offer the discount if a recharge is to be used for payment, thus confirming this is a department-supported event. 

Insurance:

Individuals and outside organizations hosting events not sponsored by the University must obtain appropriate insurance in order to rent UC Santa Cruz Arboretum facilities. If an event will include alcohol, additional coverage is required. For more information, please visit https//:abc.ca.gov/

To utilize UCSC insurance partnerships, please visit http://ucsc.campusconnextions.com 

The person named on the application and permits is liable for the event and must be present at the event throughout the entire use period. The renter shall not assign or sublease any portion of the Arboretum. Caterers, bartenders, musicians and other entertainers are also required to carry appropriate insurance. Their insurance needs to name The Regents of the University of California as an additional insured as well as the renter of the facilities. General - Minimum Insurance Requirements for Contractors/External User typically apply. 

Music:

Live acoustic music (no amplification) in Hort 2 is permissible. Please inquire with the Arboretum Staff Coordinator about your musical intentions. 

Cancellations

Cancellations occurring more than 30 days in advance of the event will be reimbursed the rental fees received to date. Cancellation of a confirmed rental reservation within 15 days of the rental date will result in a $50 cancellation fee.

Accommodation Restrictions

Arboretum facilities and gardens are not available for weddings or birthday parties. Also, the Australian Rock Garden & Group Picnic Area and the Jean & Bill Lane Library are no longer available to rent.