Sites are scouted, not assumed
Tide lines, wind exposure, vehicle access, and permit conditions are confirmed before design begins.
FORMHOUSE / Beach + Outdoor
Open ground is the venue. We bring the rest.
Beaches, bluffs, parks, and open land have no walls, no power, and no floor. FORMHOUSE builds all three — planned around the permitting, access, and strike requirements outdoor sites can carry.
The Approach
How we approach it.
Engineered for weather
Shade, ballast, flooring, and power are specified for the conditions the site actually has, not the day everyone hopes for.
Leave-no-trace strike
Public and natural sites are returned exactly as found — a requirement of most permits, and our own standard regardless.
Signature Experiences
Starting points for this kind of event.
Each experience is a complete, installed environment with a clear starting investment — shown here because it suits this work.
Beach + Outdoor
From $7,495
The Coastal Gathering
Ceremony or dining, shade, flooring, and power for beach, bluff, and park sites.
40–150 guests
Corporate
From $4,995
The Field Day
Shade, lounge, tables, and games for corporate picnics and team retreats.
50–200+ guests
Day Set
From $1,995
The Shoreline Supper
A long dining table with full chairs, linen, and candlelight by the water.
10–20 guests
Day Set
From $4,995
The Coastal Birthday House
Large coastal dining with lounge seating and a bar-ready station for big birthdays.
20–50 guests
Enhancements
Frequently added to these events.
FORMHOUSE / Locations + Planning
Where we gather.
FORMHOUSE creates outdoor gatherings across Southern California — from coastal tables and beach birthdays to garden lunches, park celebrations, and private backyard evenings. Every public-space event is reviewed around location rules, site access, guest count, setup footprint, and timing before it is confirmed.
Planning Notice
Public-space planning requires time.
FORMHOUSE requests at least three weeks’ notice for beach, park, and public-space experiences. Certain locations, larger guest counts, commercial services, structures, or State Park sites may require additional review, insurance, reservations, or permits. Four to six weeks is recommended whenever possible.
Santa Monica
Best for: Sunset picnics, birthdays, proposals, intimate dinners
Final approval depends on the exact beach area, access conditions, rules, and event footprint.
Location review required
Malibu
Best for: Coastal dinners, elevated birthday gatherings, proposals
Public beach plans are reviewed around County requirements, access, parking, and setup scope.
Location review required
Laguna Beach
Best for: Coastal celebrations, sunrise or sunset tables
Public-space plans are reviewed individually based on local approvals and site restrictions.
Location review required
Lacy Park
Best for: Garden birthdays, daytime lunches, baby showers
Best for polished daytime setups with planned guest counts.
Reservation and location review required
Griffith Park
Best for: Casual park celebrations, family picnics, daytime birthdays
Alcohol is not included in Griffith Park picnic concepts.
Designated picnic-area review required
Will Rogers State Historic Park
Best for: Lawn gatherings, family celebrations, coastal-canyon settings
Reservation and location review required
Los Angeles State Historic Park
Best for: Modern city-view events, brand lunches, custom concepts
Custom proposal only
Locations are examples, not guaranteed bookings. Beach and park availability depends on the exact site, date, guest count, access conditions, parking, weather, setup footprint, and the requirements of the managing agency.
Planning Questions
Asked before every outdoor gathering.
- How does pricing work?
- Pricing starts from a base layout matched to your guest count, setting, and occasion, then adjusts with the package upgrade and add-ons you choose. Setup and delivery + pickup are always their own line items. A flat $100 setup fee applies to all bookings and covers loading, on-site setup, styling, breakdown, and packing. Beach and park picnic setups start at $300. Most small local bookings start around $500 after the setup fee and delivery + pickup.
- How is delivery priced?
- Delivery + pickup starts at $100. Final delivery is confirmed after we review the event location, access, timing, and setup requirements.
- How much notice do you need?
- FORMHOUSE requests at least three weeks for public-space gatherings. Four to six weeks is recommended for beaches and parks, and some State Park or larger custom-event locations need more lead time.
- Do you get the permit for us?
- FORMHOUSE reviews the location and identifies any approvals, reservations, insurance, or third-party fees that may apply. Permit coordination is scoped in the proposal where available. Final requirements depend on the managing agency and location.
- Can you set up anywhere on the beach?
- No. We confirm beach locations only after reviewing access, rules, tides, parking, guest count, setup footprint, and any required approvals.
- Can you bring a generator?
- Not automatically. Power options depend on location rules and the event scope. FORMHOUSE may recommend battery-powered lighting, portable power, or an alternate site plan.
- Can we have alcohol?
- Alcohol rules vary by site. FORMHOUSE confirms whether it is appropriate and what approvals, licensed service, insurance, or venue conditions may apply.
- What happens if weather changes?
- Each proposal includes a weather and rescheduling policy based on the location, staffing, and rented equipment.
- Can you coordinate food, drinks, DJs, florals, or photography?
- Yes. FORMHOUSE can coordinate these through event partners as optional enhancements. Availability and pricing depend on the date and location.
- What if a location we love isn’t listed?
- Some parks have rules that do not allow party or event reservations. We recommend alternatives when a requested location is not eligible.
Beach & Outdoor