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Sesnon House at Cabrillo College

Aptos Wedding Location
6500 Soquel Drive
Aptos, CA 95003

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Description

You know just the kind of place you want for your event: beautiful, dignified and historic, but not a painstakingly preserved "museum" where your guests will be afraid to walk on the fragile Aubusson carpet or put their glass down on the polished Louis XIV rosewood console. You’d like it to look like a mansion, and have a sophisticated feel, yet be spacious enough to allow plenty of room to dance and mingle, but not so huge your guests feel like they’re partying in a warehouse. Of course you want well-landscaped outdoor spaces to take advantage of sunny Santa Cruz weather while having a quiet ceremony or a luncheon under umbrella-shaded tables. And you have to find all these things while staying within your less-than-lavish budget. Sound impossible? Not at Sesnon House!

It was built in 1911 by Mary and William Sesnon, and now occupies a quiet section of the Cabrillo College campus. Originally named "Pino Alto" after a large pine tree on the property, the house combines Moorish, Mission and American elements in a style known as "Californian." At the entrance, graceful columns frame the leaded-glass and polished-wood double doors opening onto the Foyer. This space has hardwood floors, a sweeping staircase, open-beamed ceiling, and brass-and-glass chandeliers and sconces. Two large rooms open into the Foyer. In the McPherson Room creamy peach walls and white molding make a pleasant contrast to the dark-beamed ceiling and mantelpiece. On either side of the terracotta tiled fireplace, large windows with leaded-glass arches overlook the pine-fringed lawn surrounding Sesnon House. A raised hardwood stage with a baby grand piano is the perfect spot for toasting the newlyweds. The Pino Alto is similar to the McPherson Room, with French doors, a fireplace, high wainscoting and three glass-and-brass chandeliers.

Beyond the Foyer, the Simpkins Terrace is a charming spot for outdoor functions. Set up tables with umbrellas out here, or use the Terrace in conjunction with one of the indoor spaces. A short path leads from the Terrace across a velvety lawn to a historic Japanese pavilion, installed 70 years ago by the former owner, who had an avid interest in Asian artifacts. Shaded by pines and cedars, this colorful structure is painted in cheerful shades of red, gold and green.

The grand Sesnon House is quite versatile, with VCRs, TVs, overhead projector and internet access making this the perfect place for combining business and pleasure. Its easy-to-find location (just off Highway 1) and abundant parking add to the facility’s popularity. So if you’re fretting over a list of party-planning requirements that seem insurmountable, check out Sesnon House. They may not be able to solve all your problems (like how to keep your brother-in-law from eating all the shrimp, or how to stop Aunt Edna from dancing the Macarena), but at least your surroundings will be just what you had envisioned.

Capacity

Ceremony	Reception/Special Events	Meetings
Max. Seated Indoors: Max. Seated Outdoors: 200	Max. Seated Indoors: 100 Max. Seated Outdoors: 200 Max. Standing Indoors: 200 Max. Standing Outdoors: 200	Max. Seated: 75
CEREMONY CAPACITY: The outdoor area, including the Alan and Phyllis Simpkins Terrace and lawn, can accommodate 200 seated guests. EVENT/RECEPTION CAPACITY: The Sesnon House holds a maximum of 100 seated or 200 standing guests indoors. The outdoor area holds 200 seated guests, maximum. MEETING CAPACITY: Several rooms hold 16–75 seated guests.

Fees & Deposits

For weddings, a $500 refundable security/damage deposit plus half of the $2,100 site use fee are payable within 5 working days of making tentative reservations. The use fee balance is due 150 days prior to the event. The use fee covers an 8-hour event. For business-related events and other social special events, use fees will vary depending on the day of week, time frame and guest count; call for more information.

In-house catering is available; luncheons start at $13/person and dinners at $23/person. Tax, gratuities and alcohol are additional.

Availability

Year-round, daily, 8am–10pm except on Cabrillo College holidays. Weddings take place Friday 6pm–10pm, Saturday 11am–11pm, and Sunday 1pm–10pm.

Catering Provided Select From List Alcohol BYO Sites Uses Ceremonies Wedding Receptions Special Events, Parties Business Functions/Meetings Rehearsal Dinners Services/Amenities Catering: provided or select from preferred list Parking: large lots Kitchen Facilities: n/a Accommodations: no guestrooms Tables & Chairs: provided indoors; BYO outdoors Telephone: pay phones or local calls CBA Linens, Silver, etc.: through caterer Outdoor Night Lighting: yes Restrooms: wheelchair accessible Outdoor Cooking Facilities: through caterer Dance Floor: hardwood floor in foyer Cleanup: caterer Bride's Dressing Area: yes View: lawn and terrace Meeting Equipment: VCR, TV, easel, overhead projector, screen, internet access Other: baby grand piano, sound system

Music Indoors Wheelchair Access Wheelchair Accessible Site Views Garden Garden Patio/Courtyard Landscaped Grounds Restrictions Alcohol: BYO beer and wine only, Wheelchair Access: yes approved server required Insurance: extra liability required Smoking: parking lot only Other: decorations require approval; no rice, confetti, seeds or petals; no open flames Music: amplified OK indoors

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