The Prado at Balboa Park
View Map
Tell a Friend
1549 El Prado
San Diego, CA 92101
Contact: Catering Department
Phone: 619/557-9441 x201
www.balboaparkweddings.com
Request a proposal for your event from The Prado at Balboa Park
Click thumbnails to enlarge image
Description
What would you build if you wanted to wow the world?For the organizers of the 1915–16 Panama-California Exposition in Balboa Park, it was a flamboyant group of Spanish Renaissance-style structures, whose elaborate design captured the fancy of cosmopolitan travelers. The centerpiece is the magnificent House of Hospitality, with intricate scrollwork that trims its sand-colored walls, tower and arched windows and doors just like frosting on a wedding cake.
Now a National Historic Landmark, the House of Hospitality was carefully rebuilt in 1997. Hand-stenciled doors, ceilings, and beams in Spanish motif were scrupulously restored or reproduced. In fact, each room had more than 4,000 historical features, and the love and attention that went into preserving and replicating them seems to radiate in every direction. But although the building looks the way it did a century ago, it meets modern building standards and is 100% handicapped accessible.
A new chapter in the House of Hospitality’s history was written in 2000, when it became the home of The Prado, a gourmet restaurant from San Diego’s best-known and perhaps most decorated family of restaurateurs, the Cohn Restaurant Group. The Cohns have been named Restaurateurs of the Year both city- and statewide. Daughter Jessica Cohn-Feinman manages special events, and she’s truly an expert, having celebrated her own wedding at The Prado.
There’s no more picturesque setting for a ceremony than the Casa del Rey Moro Gardens, a reproduction of the grounds of a Moorish king’s home in southern Spain. Exchange vows by the wishing well with a lush canyon behind you, a reflecting pool before you, and as many as 300 smiling faces looking on from semicircular terraces around you.
After cocktails in an elegant courtyard centered around “Women of Tehuantepec,” a famous limestone sculpture and tiled fountain, larger parties meet in the Grand Ballroom. Skylights set in 27-foot hand-stenciled ceilings warm the space. Custom bronze chandeliers provide night lighting, and optional “pin spotlights” highlight table centerpieces. The band plays your song from the theatrical stage, as you and your new spouse glide across the gleaming hardwood floor for your first dance.
After cocktails on adjoining rooftop terraces, medium-sized parties often dine in the Loggia, a charming second-floor space featuring vaulted ceilings, colorful beams, French doors, and many windows. More intimate gatherings can celebrate on the covered balcony overlooking Casa del Rey Moro Gardens, before settling in the cozy Alhambra room for lunch or dinner.
The award-winning food—The Prado’s Jeff Thurston was Chef of the Year in 2005—is stylishly presented with synchronized service: all the guests at a table are served simultaneously, making for a “voila!” moment that not only delights diners, but prevents food from going cold as everyone waits for that last plate to arrive.
As it has for decades, a wedding at The Prado will surely wow everyone in your world.
Capacity
Ceremony |
Reception/Special Events |
Meetings |
|
Max. Seated Indoors: Max. Seated Outdoors: 300 |
Max. Seated Indoors: 350 Max. Seated Outdoors: 120 Max. Standing Indoors: 500 Max. Standing Outdoors: 300 |
Max. Seated: 300 |
|
CEREMONY CAPACITY: For ceremonies, the site holds 300 seated outdoors. |
||
Fees & Deposits
25% of the estimated event total is required to reserve your date. The balance is due 3 business days before the event. Inclusive wedding packages range $76–90/person. Wedding packages include one hour of Silver Level Brand Bar, tray-passed hors d’oeuvres with White Glove Service, luncheon or dinner menu designed by Executive Chef Jeff Thurston, wedding cake provided by Flour Power, formal Champagne Toast, professional staff-synchronized service, full length table linens and porcelain china and gold Chiavari chairs.
The Casa del Rey Moro Gardens for Ceremony Site package is $950 and includes: white outdoor chairs, gift and guest book tables, bridal changing room, scheduled rehearsal time, outdoor sound system for officiant.
Availability
Year-round, daily.
CateringProvidedAlcoholProvidedSites UsesCeremoniesWedding Receptions Special Events, Parties Business Functions/Meetings Rehearsal Dinners Services/AmenitiesCatering: provided |
MusicIndoorsOutdoors Wheelchair AccessWheelchair AccessibleSite ViewsCanyonCityscape Fountain/Water Feature Garden Garden Patio/Courtyard Landscaped Grounds Park Site TypeBallroom
RestrictionsAlcohol: provided |
Wondering what CBA or BYO means?
619/557-9441 x201
www.balboaparkweddings.com
Email or request a proposal for your event from The Prado at Balboa Park
Tell a Friend
Don’t take chances on your wedding!
Certified By The Guide Northern and Southern California wedding vendors have all been highly recommended by tons of brides and fellow wedding professionals. If we don’t consistently hear raves, we don’t put them on our website.
Like it? Save it.
Wishing you could save a list of the places and services that interest you? You can. Register for MyGuide and:
• save your favorite locations and services
• email several of your favorites at the same time
• share your selections with your family and friends
• make notes to yourself about each location or service
Need a holiday?
A holiday party or company Christmas party location, that is? Well, we’ve got hundreds of places for a holiday party in California. Start your search for a holiday party location here.
Rehearsal Dinner?
Here Comes The Guide is a great tool to use to find your rehearsal dinner location! And, Read more about how to personalize your rehearsal dinner.
Wedding Dresses
We’ve selected the best California bridal salons to help you find your wedding dress. And, get great deals on your wedding dress and see entire wedding dress designer collections at California Trunk Shows.
Central Coast Weddings
We have just opened up a whole new section for Central Coast wedding locations and Central Valley ceremony sites. We think this gorgeous region, full of beach wedding locations and winery reception venues is the “next big thing” in destination weddings.
Santa Barbara Weddings
Santa Barbara is a stunning region for destination weddings. Its sublime weather is perfect for garden or beach wedding ceremonies, and its chic hotels and restaurants will rock your wedding reception. Most of our beautiful Santa Barbara wedding locations have Virtual Tours, so take a sneak peek right now!