Fern Cottage (Kennedy Grove)
El Sobrante, CA
| Venue type | Park & Pavilion |
| Location | El Sobrante, CA |
| Published price | $315 to $545 |
| Setting | Indoor and Outdoor |
| Event type | Ceremony and reception possible |
What the venue publishes
EBRPD 2026 Fee Schedule (effective January 1, 2026), Facility Rentals section. Rates shown are the IN-DISTRICT (Alameda/Contra Costa) published rates; for this facility the schedule publishes only a percentage for non-residents: "Out-of-District Surcharge - Surcharge - 20%". Verbatim lines: "Monday - Friday / 8am-5pm, Special Day Rate - first day - First Day - $315"; "Monday - Friday / 8am-12am, 5-Hour Rental - 5 Hours - $370"; "Saturday / Sunday / 9am-12am, 5-Hour Rental - 5 Hours - $545". Applying the published 20% surcharge would make these $378 / $444 / $654 out-of-district.
The source publishes a range of $315 to $545, so which end applies depends on the options the source lists.
Located at Kennedy Grove Regional Recreation Area. Rental times include set up and clean up. Non-Catered Option Surcharge $300 (only available if the reservation ends by 7pm); otherwise a Park District approved caterer is required. 5-hour rental extra hours $90/hr Sat-Sun, $60/hr Mon-Fri (max 5 extra hours). Overtime/late load out $500. Multi-day Special Day Rate $265 each additional day. A separate 2026-2027 Fern Cottage rate sheet PDF exists but its text layer is not machine-readable, so the figures above come from the district-wide fee schedule.
Published on ebparks.org, checked August 2026. Fee schedules change, so confirm before booking.
Where this price sits in San Francisco Bay Area
$315 is the 16th lowest published starting price of the 46 venues listed in the San Francisco Bay Area metro. The metro median starting price is $487, and 29 of the 46 listings publish a higher starting price than this one.
Among the 13 park & pavilion listings in the metro it ranks 4th lowest, against a median of $395 for that type.
Cheaper published prices in San Francisco Bay Area metro
These listings in San Francisco Bay Area metro publish a starting price below $315.
| Venue | Published price | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Lakeside Park Garden Center - Garden Room with Japanese GardenOakland, CA · Garden & Conservatory | From $312 | not published |
| Santa Clara County Wedding Chapel Civil CeremonySan Jose, CA · Courthouse & City Hall | $112 | 20 guests |
| Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder Civil Marriage CeremonyMartinez, CA · Courthouse & City Hall | $50 to $75 | not published |
Other park & pavilion listings in San Francisco Bay Area
Same venue type, prices closest to this one.
| Venue | Published price | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Ed R. Levin County Park - Sandy Wool LakeMilpitas, CA · Park & Pavilion | $316 to $381 | 75 guests |
| Joseph D. Grant County Park - CookhouseSan Jose, CA · Park & Pavilion | $323 | 60 guests |
| Joseph D. Grant County Park - Rose GardenSan Jose, CA · Park & Pavilion | $249 to $293 | 100 guests |
Marriage license in Contra Costa County, CA
The venue fee above does not include the license. El Sobrante sits in Contra Costa County, CA, and these are the terms that county publishes. Checked September 2026.
| Issuing office | Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder555 Escobar Street, Martinez, CA 94553 |
| License fee | $95The fee table lists a Current Fee of $86.00 and a Fee as of 1/1/2025 of $95.00 for a Public Marriage License, and $90.00 rising to $100.00 for a Confidential Marriage License. A duplicate marriage license is $50.00. |
| Waiting period | None |
| License valid for | 90 days |
| Who must appear | Both parties, in person |
| ID required | valid government issued picture identification that includes the full legal name and date of birth |
| Appointment | Not required |
| Apply online | Application available online |
| Same-day issue | Issued the same visit |
| Ceremony at the office | Offered for $50Civil Marriage Ceremony with appointment $50.00, walk-in $65.00, after hours $75.00, outdoor $75.00, expedited at the lobby window $35.00, bring your own officiant $40.00 with appointment, destination ceremony $120.00, witness fee $20.00, non-refundable appointment processing fee $10.00. Up to 15 guests indoors. |
| Witnesses | 1 required by statute |
Source: contracostavote.gov, contracosta.ca.gov, cdph.ca.gov
Walk-ins are welcome from 8:00 am until 3:30 pm daily and a license can be obtained at the same time as a scheduled ceremony. Checks are not accepted for marriage licenses or ceremonies. An outdoor ceremony option is available across the street from the back of the Martinez building, standing room only.
How the metro prices out
Looking at Fern Cottage (Kennedy Grove)?
Tell us your date, guest count, and budget. We'll email you the San Francisco Bay Area venues under $5,000 that fit, including this one, each with its published price and source. We don't book or hold anything, you contact the venue yourself.
Is this your venue? Claim or update this listing.