Find Wedding Ideas: Santa Cruz Wedding Venues You'll Love

Santa Cruz has so many beautiful wedding venues—we have plenty of suggestions, depending on what you are looking for. We share our faves here.

(If you can't get enough, see detailed info for all the Santa Cruz wedding venues on our site.)



17 Breathtaking Central Coast Wedding Venues

17 Breathtaking Central Coast Wedding Venues

Just North of Los Angeles and South of the San Francisco Bay Area lies a gorgeous stretch of breathtaking scenery known as the Central Coast. From the epic surf in Santa Cruz and the rocky shores of Monterey down to the rolling vineyards in Santa Barbara and Ventura's pristine beaches, these cozy communities are full of show-stopping wedding venues. Whether you want to exchange vows with your toes in the sand, or at a serene ranch nestled in a lush valley, you'll fall in love at first sight with some of Central California's finest here!


24 of Northern California's Most Romantic Wedding Venues

24 of Northern California's Most Romantic Wedding Venues

With its towering redwood forests, rugged coastline, and renowned wine country, you don’t have to look very hard to find a jaw-dropping romantic venue for your Northern California wedding. From a cliffside inn overlooking the Pacific to a Mediterranean-style villa surrounded by formal gardens, these dreamy locations set a stunning stage and provide all ambiance and gorgeous photo ops you’ll need for an unforgettable celebration.


33 Gorgeous California Winery Wedding Venues—From North to South

33 Gorgeous California Winery Wedding Venues—From North to South

You don't need to travel far in California to find a gorgeous wine country setting for your wedding day. Thanks to its agreeable climate, distinct seasons, and sprawling landscapes, the Golden State is ideal for growing juicy grapes—and playing host to dreamy nuptials. From the misty hillsides of Napa Valley to the sun-kissed fields of Temecula and everywhere in between, we've got a picture-perfect winery wedding venue for you.


30 of Northern California's Best Hidden Gem Wedding Venues

30 of Northern California's Best Hidden Gem Wedding Venues

On the hunt for a not-your-average wedding venue in Northern California? This part of the state is known for its rugged coastline with romantic bluffs, rolling vineyards, and majestic redwood forests. And tucked away in these gorgeous landscapes are some rare gems in places you wouldn't expect to find them, like a whimsical Tudor-style inn on the coast or a lavish wine-country estate just off the beaten path. Feast your eyes on these surprising and unexpected locations that are often hiding in plain sight!


12 Cool Northern California Coastal Destination Wedding Venues

12 Cool Northern California Coastal Destination Wedding Venues

Dreaming of a destination wedding on the misty shores of Northern California? From a charming inn nestled on a dramatic cliff at the edge of a redwood forest to a luxurious resort in beautiful Big Sur, find all the romance you'll ever need in these quaint and cozy seaside towns peppered along this rugged coastline.


33 Majestic Mountain Destination Wedding Venues In California

33 Majestic Mountain Destination Wedding Venues In California

Dreaming of a California destination wedding location with epic mountain views? Whether you want to exchange vows from the top of the Sierra Nevadas overlooking snow-capped peaks or surrounded by towering redwoods in a quaint mountainside town, these natural wonders can be found all over this Golden State and provide a spectacular backdrop for any celebration, big or small!


26 Stylish California Venues For Your Micro Wedding

26 Stylish California Venues For Your Micro Wedding

Planning a micro wedding in California? Whether that's always been your day-of dream or if it's the new Plan B, these small celebrations can pack a big punch when it comes to style and the guest experience offered. So if you’re looking to scale down that invite list to just your nearest and dearest, check out these beautiful venues that offer custom-curated packages that will save you time, money, and stress when it comes to planning your intimate event.


California's Best Hidden Gem Wedding Venues

California's Best Hidden Gem Wedding Venues

California has it all when it comes to stunning landscapes for a wedding: vineyards, pristine beaches, majestic mountains, and more. But it also includes some rare gems in places you wouldn't expect to find them, like a lush garden oasis in the middle of a bustling downtown, a lavish private estate tucked away in the redwoods, or a charming inn on the shores of a sleepy beach town. From North to South and everything in between, we've pulled together some of the most surprising and unexpected venues this Golden State has to offer—many that are hiding in plain sight!


Favorite 10 Northern California Wedding Venues | OG edition

Favorite 10 Northern California Wedding Venues | OG edition

In 1989 the following 14 Northern California venues said "I do" to Here Comes The Guide when it was a brand new wedding resource. They’re our true OGs, our original BFFs. They’ve been with us since day one, and we're proud to have featured them through good times, bad times, fleeting trends, and market changes. They know a thing or two about commitment, and we just want to say "Thanks!”.


22 All-Inclusive Bay Area Wedding Venues

22 All-Inclusive Bay Area Wedding Venues

Reduce the stress of planning your Bay Area wedding by hosting it at one of these all-inclusive venues. Many of them have stunning views (think vineyard, cityscape, and the ocean), PLUS they all offer full-service packages so you can hit the easy button when it comes to preparing for your big day.


7 Fantastic Monterey Bay Wedding Venues with Ocean Views

7 Fantastic Monterey Bay Wedding Venues with Ocean Views

Who doesn't love an ocean view wedding venue? These dreamy wedding spots capture photo-worthy panoramas of the blue Pacific as part of your special day.


Toes in the Sand! 5 Beach Wedding Venues on the Monterey Bay

Toes in the Sand! 5 Beach Wedding Venues on the Monterey Bay

Fantasizing about a genuine, toes-in-the-sand beach wedding experience along the scenic Monterey Bay? These venues could turn your vision board into a reality!


7 All-Inclusive Santa Cruz Wedding Venues For A Stress-Free Event!

7 All-Inclusive Santa Cruz Wedding Venues For A Stress-Free Event!

Not interested in too much DIY? Then pick a place that handles some of the main elements for you. These all-inclusive Santa Cruz area wedding venues not only help you press the easy button, they also welcome your personal touches and will make sure your celebration reflects your style and story.


8 Affordable Santa Cruz, CA Wedding Venues

8 Affordable Santa Cruz, CA Wedding Venues

With its small-town charm and laid-back sophistication, Santa Cruz, CA has become a sought-after wedding destination.


19 Woodsy Wedding Venues in Northern California

19 Woodsy Wedding Venues in Northern California

If you want nature, in the form of glorious trees, to play a role in your wedding, these venues could be just what you're looking for. From a cathedral in the forest created by a grove of redwoods to a canopy of spreading oaks aglow with bistro lights at night, they'll all add a woodsy beauty to your celebration.


BIG DREAMS, small budget: 28 Affordable Bay Area Wedding Venues

BIG DREAMS, small budget: 28 Affordable Bay Area Wedding Venues

Hoping to find an affordable Bay Area wedding venue? Don't despair! From historic mansions to enchanting redwood groves and everything in between, here's a selection of places that won't break the bank.


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Some clients may have paid to be placed in our editorial and some of these links may be affiliate; however, we never include a venue, vendor, or product unless they have a proper place here. This is part of our Core Values. We create our website first and foremost to be good for the couples using it to plan their Big Day. We won't stray from that for a few advertising dollars. #scoutshonor

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