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Chaminade at Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz Wedding Location
One Chaminade Lane
Santa Cruz, CA

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Description

Set high on a mountain bluff overlooking rolling wooded hills, Chaminade is a lovely Mediterranean-style resort and conference center retreat with a panoramic view of Monterey Bay and the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Constructed in the 1930s as a boys’ school, the original Mission-style buildings have been expanded and remodeled into a well-designed complex that includes two fine dining restaurants, a 14,000-square-foot spa, and twelve banquet/conference rooms, all in the midst of meticulously tended gardens and surrounded by 300 acres of native oak, redwood and madrone.

Spectacular surroundings make Chaminade a prime spot for any event, and weddings are no exception. Have your ceremony on the newly remodeled Courtyard Terrace, an intimate setting reminiscent of a Spanish courtyard, with its central fountain and planter walls brimming with flowers. Guests seated by the fountain enjoy a sweeping vista of native woodland and the brilliant blue bay in the distance. Songbirds often add their voices to the celebration, and curious tame deer have been known to make an unscheduled, yet welcome, appearance. For small groups, the oceanview Sunset Patio is also available.

On sunny days (and there are 300 of them per year on average), you may enjoy having your reception outdoors, too. This is easily accomplished on the Sunset Patio, which also has a sweeping view of the sea. Surrounded by gardens of lavender, ornamental grasses and blooming perennials, it offers a fragrant garden party atmosphere; soft harp, violin or cello music provides an elegant touch. Reserve the adjacent Library, too, and you have an indoor/outdoor space that gives you even more options. This bistro-style room opens out onto the patio through French doors. Filled with art and flowers, it’s a charming spot for showcasing the buffet and wedding cake, or for additional seating. Larger receptions are held in the Santa Cruz Ballroom. A high, soffited ceiling arches overhead, while windows on three sides overlook views of the wooded valley and the ocean. The Ballroom has a generous dance floor, and opens onto its own private patio.

Prior to your wedding ceremony, sink into a whirlpool spa, indulge in a massage, facial or body wrap, or get a little exercise—there’s the pool, spa, tennis courts and, of course, miles of beautiful hiking trails. And let’s not forget dinner in the Sunset Room, the resort’s award-winning restaurant, specializing in local fresh produce and seafood, seasoned with herbs from their own garden. Off property you can stroll on a beach, go wine tasting, rock climb or board a yacht for a sunset sail on the bay.

At Chaminade, they have one mission: the absolute success of your wedding or special event. And, given the friendly attentive staff, outstanding facilities and gorgeous surroundings all contributing to that end, success is virtually guaranteed.

Capacity

Ceremony	Reception/Special Events	Meetings
Max. Seated Indoors: Max. Seated Outdoors: 230	Max. Seated Indoors: 230 Max. Seated Outdoors: 230 Max. Standing Indoors: 300 Max. Standing Outdoors: 300	Max. Seated: 230
CEREMONY CAPACITY: The Courtyard Terrace holds 230 seated and the Sunset Patio up to 200 seated guests. EVENT/RECEPTION CAPACITY: Area Seated w/Dancing Santa Cruz Ballroom 230 Courtyard Terrace 230 Seascape Room 90 Sunset Dining Room 200 MEETING CAPACITY: The site holds up to 224 guests.

Fees & Deposits

For weddings, a $1,500–5,000 nonrefundable deposit is required (based on guest count); the estimated balance is due 72 hours prior to the event. For Saturday evening Ballroom events, there is a 160-guest minimum. Other spaces have guest minimums, call for details.

Wedding packages are available that include site rentals, setup, cleanup, all furniture and linens, professional event coordination, generous hors d’oeuvres, buffet or sit-down meal, deluxe wedding cake, discounted guestrooms and complimentary valet parking. Packages range $114–154/person; beverages, tax and service charges are additional. Special rates are available for overnight accommodations for the wedding couple, call for details.

For meetings, call for details.

Availability

Year-round, weekends. Saturday wedding reception luncheons 11am–4:30pm, dinners 5:30pm–midnight. Friday and Sunday events, please call for hours of availability.

Catering Provided Alcohol Provided Sites Uses Ceremonies Wedding Receptions Special Events, Parties Business Functions/Meetings Rehearsal Dinners On-Site Accommodations Services/Amenities Catering: provided, no BYO Parking: complimentary valet Kitchen Facilities: n/a Accommodations: 153 guestrooms, 11 suites Tables & Chairs: provided Telephone: pay phone Linens, Silver, etc.: provided Outdoor Night Lighting: limited Restrooms: wheelchair accessible Outdoor Cooking Facilities: yes Dance Floor: provided Cleanup: provided Bride's & Groom's Dressing Area: CBA View: Monterey Bay, landscaped grounds, rolling hills Meeting Equipment: full range, state-of-the-art audiovisual including microphone for officiant Other: event coordination, onsite wedding cake

Music Indoors Wheelchair Access Wheelchair Accessible Site Views Coastline Forest/Wooded Area Fountain/Water Feature Garden Patio/Courtyard Hills Landscaped Grounds Ocean/Bay Panoramic Pool Area Valley Restrictions Alcohol: provided, no BYO Wheelchair Access: yes Smoking: outdoors only Insurance: not required Music: acoustic outdoors, amplified OK indoors Other: no rice, birdseed

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