Auction Image
Auction

The Lawrence Hall of Science Gala auction offers select excursions to delight your senses, as well as unique science experiences for kids and adults alike. Check out the items below to get a sense of the opportunities. Enjoy them yourself, as a family or a couple looking for something special to do, or bid with friends for a once-in-a-lifetime experience together. Bookmark this page and check back often, as all items and details are not yet final. If you would like to place a reserve or proxy bid, please contact Dana Greene by email or call 510-664-4578.

 

Inspirato Exclusive Vacations

Inspirato Exclusive Vacations image

Spend 7 luxurious nights in a multi-million-dollar residence managed by the private club Inspirato. Enjoy access to an unparalleled vacation experience at your choice of over a dozen world-class destinations. Inspirato is a membership-only destination club, so not only will you have access to amazing homes without having to pay the $15,000 membership fee, you will also experience the same benefits that Inspirato members receive, including: a personal advisor to help you plan a perfect vacation; 24-hour onsite concierge to ensure that your trip is worry free; and of course daily housekeeping. Individual date restrictions and applicable blackout dates apply. See website for more information.

Two to five bedrooms | 6 to 10 guests at these destinations:

Los Cabos | Newport Beach | Vail | Steamboat Springs Aspen/Snowmass | Maui | Punta de Mita | Kohala Coast Tahoe | Deer Valley | Naples | South Walton | Fort Lauderdale
Donor: Inspirato

Four Field Club Tickets for Giants vs Dodgers Game

Four Field Club Tickets for Giants vs. Dodgers Game

A visit to AT&T Park, with its breathtaking views and classic design, is a smash hit. You and 3 others will be the envy of all your baseball-loving friends as you enjoy the Giants vs. Dodgers game on June 26 from Field Club seats behind home plate. In addition, you’ll receive a limited edition autographed bat signed by Brandon Belt. Nicknamed “The Baby Giraffe,” Brandon is the first baseman and outfielder for the San Francisco Giants.
Donor: San Francisco Giants

Greek Theatre Concert Tickets, Dinner & Limo

Greek Theatre Concert Tickets, Dinner & Limo

Don’t miss this chance for an unforgettable evening! With 4 premium VIP tickets at the Greek Theatre this fall, you can spend a soulful night with blues singer Bonnie Raitt on September 14, or see the San Francisco native pop-rock group Train on September 28. If you have never been at the Greek, you need to experience it. You’ll get great seats and an unforgettable view, along with dinner for 4 at Wood Tavern before the concert, as well as chauffeured town car service to and from Wood Tavern and the Greek. Longer-distance round-trip service can be arranged for an additional fee. Concert choice must be made by Friday, June 8.
Donors: Cal Performances; Coit Transportation

Bay Bridge Hard Hat Experience

Once-in-a-Lifetime Bay Bridge Hard Hat Experience

Have you been fascinated by the Bay Bridge construction from afar? Wondering what it would be like to don a hard hat and take a walk on the new span? This is your chance to see it from an insider’s perspective! Join lead construction engineers on the project for a fascinating and rare private walking tour of the bridge. Only 8 lucky people will meet for a delicious gourmet picnic, provided by Market Hall, with lovely Treasury Estate wines (2009 Étude Chardonnay, 2011 St. Clement Sauvignon Blanc, 2009 Étude Pinot Noir, and 2008 Stags Leap Petite Syrah). They will then head to Pier 7 in Oakland for a behind-the-scenes look at the intricate construction and engineering involved in this incredible architectural feat. Dates to be mutually agreed on with a minimum of 2 weeks’ advance notice. All tours take place midweek at 1 p.m. All guests must be 18 or older, be able to walk distances, and sign a waiver. Expires June 1, 2013.
Donors: Anonymous; Market Hall; Treasury Estate Wines

VIP Cal Football Tickets and Tour of the New Stadium

VIP Cal Football Tickets and Tour of the New Stadium

Receive 2 Endowment Seating Program (ESP) Cal football tickets (to either the Stanford or Oregon game) and a private tour of the new UC Berkeley stadium. Sold for $75K–$125K per seat, the Stadium Club level ESP seats are a great way for Cal fans to experience their beloved football as never before, while helping to fund both the new stadium and Cal’s ongoing athletics programs. Winner of this lot will received 1 priority parking permit worth its weight in gold, and a CHOICE to select 2 Stadium Club level tickets to either the “Big Game” of Cal vs. Stanford (September 20) or the University of Oregon game (November 10). So cheer your favorite team from the comfort of your cushioned chairback seats, with views to match, and enjoy full access to refreshments, private bathrooms, and flat-screen TVs in the climate-controlled lounge area. The Field Club is open two hours before game time, with complimentary food and drinks. In addition to game day privileges, this lot includes 2 Cal caps and an exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of the Memorial Stadium reconstruction before the game on a date mutually acceptable to you and the Cal Athletics Office.
Donor: Cal Athletics

LHS Auction Image

An After-Hours Birthday Party at the Hall

As many as 20 children, age 5 or older, will grab their flashlights and teddy bears and explore the Hall in their PJs. You plan the night! Perhaps you’ll kick off the evening with a flashlight-guided exploration of the current featured exhibit, or will enjoy an interactive Planetarium show, or will dig in to one of several educator-led workshops. The party will take place between 6:00 and 10:00 p.m. on a mutually agreed on date. One adult chaperone required for every 5 children. Expires December 2013.
Donor: Lawrence Hall of Science

Best of California Cabernet Collection image

Best of California Cult Wines

Whether you want to host a fabulously engaging wine dinner or acquire special bottles for your own investment cellar, these hard-to-find California cult wines will impress the most educated wine enthusiasts. All the wines come from top collectors, held under perfect cellar conditions, and were purchased directly from the winery on release. What would you pay for wines of perfect provenance that will also benefit K-12 science education nationwide?
Donors: John Varughese & Carleigh Jaques; Melissa & Lindsay Lee; Martha & Larry Frierson; Ann & Marc Perrin; Naoko Dalla Valle

Lot A: 1997 Cabernet horizontal
’97 is considered one of the most amazing vintages in California.

  • Abreu Cabernet Sauvignon (IWC 95.9)
  • Shafer Hillside (IWC 95)
  • Harlan Estate (Parker 100; Tanzer 94, WSJ 97)
  • Maya (Parker 99)

Street Value: $2,860–$3,895

Lot B: Unique collection of Sine Qua Non
Turn any gathering into an unforgettable one.

  • Queen of Spades, 1994 (Syrah)
  • The Other Hand, 1995 (Syrah Blend)
  • Tarantella, 1999 (White Rhone Blend)
  • Mr. K – The Iceman, 2002 (Dessert) 3 bottles of 375ml in original wood case

Street Value: $3,000–$3,540

Lot C: Grace Family Cabernet Sauvignon

  • 6 bottles of 2004 Grace Family, Grace Family Vineyards (Tanzer 92)

Street value: $1,500–$2,50

Lot D: Araujo limited production

  • 3 bottles of 2005 Araujo limited production: Eisele Vineyard Cabernet in original cellophane (Parker 98)

Street Value: $1,000–$2,000

Lot E: Marcassin Estate selects

  • 2002 Marcassin Estate Chardonnay (Tanzer 95) and 2003 Marcassin Estate Pinot Noir (Tanzer 97), Marcassin Vineyard

Street Value: $750–$900

Lot F: Peter Michael Chardonnays

  • Peter Michael Chardonnay Ma Belle-Fille. ’06, ’07, and ’09 (Tanzer 94, 93, 95)

Street Value: $280–$490

Exotic Southwest China Cultural Immersion Getaway image

Exotic Southwest China Cultural Immersion Getaway

You may have already visited China, even seen Yunnan, but the 7 days you will spend at the Linden Centre in Xizhou, a pristine village in Southwest China’s Yunnan Province, and just a 25-minute ride from the Old Town of Dali, will be like no other week in China. Explore in and around Xizhou by foot or bike, or head out into the greater Dali and Erhai basin for daily adventures with your group of 4 family members or friends. Or choose to spend the better part of your days relaxing inside our four-courtyard compound, a cultural relic protected at the same level as the historic Great Wall. The Linden Centre is an award-winning boutique hotel offering the intrepid traveler an inspiring exploration into rural China. The facility is a nationally protected heritage site that has been restored to its former dynastic elegance. In the foothills of the Himalayas, guests enjoy a year-round spring climate as well as direct access to vibrant local cultures in a true melting pot of the region. This package includes a 7-night complimentary stay in our family suite (up to 4 people) at the Linden Centre, plus a full itinerary of Xizhou- and Dali-based activities, from guided walking tours of the village to day-long excursions to explore the history and culture of the great Dali and Erhai lake basin. Enjoy 3 full days of meals at the Centre, with breakfast daily. Not available during peak periods and is based on room availability. Please inquire about specific dates. Valid until June 2, 2013.
Donor: Linden Centre

Dinner for 10 Under the Stars with Alex Filippenko at the Hall image

Dinner for 10 Under the Stars with Alex Filippenko at the Hall

Your group of 10 will have the Hall all to yourselves when you enjoy a perfect evening of food, wine, science, and conversation. Begin the evening with wine, hors d’oeuvres, and the Hall’s spectacular view, as the sun sets over San Francisco bay.Bay. Then enjoy a fabulous dinner and conversation with world-renowned UC Berkeley professor and astrophysicist Alex Filippenko. Dr. Filippenko is frequently featured on History Channel’s The Universe programs and has received numerous awards, including the Carl Sagan Prize for Science Popularization and the U.S. Professor of the Year award. The evening will be catered by Paula LeDuc and paired with fabulous wines. Expires June 2013.
Donors: Alex Filippenko; Paula LeDuc; The Lawrence Hall of Science

Giants Luxury Box Experience at AT&T Park

Giants Luxury Box Experience

See the Giants play the Rockies at AT&T Park with your friends in Luxury Suite #30—behind home plate! Package includes 20 box seat tickets for the game on August 12, 4 parking passes, sodas, hot dogs, peanuts, and two bottles of wine. Enjoy baseball at its most posh and comfortable as you watch the game and walk along AT&T Park’s promenade with great views of the bay.
Donor: DPR Construction

A Year of Dynamic Consultation with Counseling Guru Billy Downing

1 Year of Dynamic Consultation with Counseling Guru Billy Downing

Experience the opportunity to engage with one of the Bay Area’s most sought-after private college counselors, Billy Downing, founder and CEO of ESM Group. This unique year of counseling will help you and your child face the complexity of the college entrance process, reduce stress, and help your student along the path to future success. ESM Group is an industry leader that works with students and families in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. With insightful, structured, and timely guidance that’s tailored to the student’s and family’s needs, ESM coaches help students gain admission to the most competitive universities in the world. Mr. Downing will share inside tips on the college admissions process and provide advice that will motivate your student and simplify the process. This is a one-year engagement. Counseling can begin anytime between now and December 2013. All services are offered via Skype, phone, and email.
Donor: ESM Group

Luxurious Sun Valley Escape Image

A Luxurious Sun Valley Escape

Spend a week fishing, skiing, or simply relaxing at a mountain paradise in Idaho. Tucked away along the banks of the Wood River—and only 20 minutes from Sun Valley—you’ll enjoy all the comforts of a well-appointed, custom-built home. The main house features three bedrooms, three baths, a fireplace, indoor/outdoor hot tub, and an expansive deck. The charming guesthouse offers two bedrooms, two baths, a loft, and another hot tub. Both houses are equipped with TV, DVD, and Wi-Fi. The home can sleep 12 comfortably, making it a perfect getaway for an extended family, or even two families! Whether you decide to hit the slopes on Dollar Mountain in the winter or take advantage of hiking trails and a jazz festival in the spring and summer months, this vacation will be a magnificent and memorable one for all. Not available during the weeks of Christmas and Independence Day or in August. Dates to be mutually agreed on with owners. Expires July 2013.
Donors: Jean and Don Brandenburger

Hall Science Programs at Your Favorite School or Private Event

Lawrence Hall of Science Programs at Your Favorite School or Private Event

Present a fantastic learning opportunity to the children in your community. Lawrence Hall of Science will roll out a van and take one of our highly regarded science outreach programs either to a local school or to a private event of your choice within our service area. Includes two sessions for grades K–8, with a maximum of 300 students per session. Dates and times to be mutually agreed on with LHS. Service area includes Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Sonoma counties. Event outside of service area is negotiable for an additional fee. Expires June 2013.
Donor: The Lawrence Hall of Science

Limited Edition Skateboards

Limited Edition Skateboards

As long as skateboards have existed, they have had pictures on them, and their artistic styles have shifted as the skateboarding culture has evolved. Skateboards are a canvas, can represent lifestyle, and even cultural icons. These limited edition skateboard designs represent the integration of skateboarding and physics. Created by Gretchen Natvig of Shelby Designs, the artwork was inspired by imagining a tower of words that all relate to physics. The typography is hand-drawn, using basic geometric shapes such as triangles, circles, and squares. The design is intended to really pop. The dark background helps create a strong contrast against the tower of bright words and color “spills.”
Donors: Shelby Designs; The Lawrence Hall of Science

Stinson Beach Sunset Image for Retreat package

Idyllic Stinson Beach Retreat

Feel the sand beneath your toes as you spend a perfect, long weekend at a casual and comfortable four-bedroom beachfront retreat at Stinson Beach. This Seadrift home sleeps a maximum of 8, and families are welcome. Wake up to the soothing sounds of the ocean, and spend your days hiking at Point Reyes, bird-watching at Audubon Canyon Ranch, or just hanging out at the beach. Of course, you’ll start each evening with a beautiful sunset. Dates to be mutually agreed on with owners. Available from September 2012 to May 2013.
Donors: Midge and Peter Zischke