Estancia La Jolla Hotel and Spa 9700 North Torrey Pines Road • La Jolla • California 92037

To truly appreciate the charm of Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa, it helps to envision its first incarnation as the 10-acre rancho retreat of two wealthy and prominent San Diego families, both with a reputation for being down-to-earth. Their time at the ranch was spent riding horses, lounging outdoors among citrus and avocado trees, and picnicking on simple grilled foods made even more aromatic by the scent of Mexican sage, carried on the light coastal breezes.

Today, when you come up Estancia La Jolla’s driveway, you still have the impression you’re approaching someone’s personal estate. Nothing about the hotel feels large or impersonal. The venue’s early California Rancho architecture—characterized by exposed-beam ceilings, arches, and surfaces of distressed brown brick, plaster and ceramic tile—inspires relaxation, and subtle lighting lends indoor spaces a warm, cozy glow. Taking advantage of Southern California’s temperate climate, every room on the property, including the guest rooms, opens to an inviting outdoor area.

With so many assets, it’s no surprise that this AAA Four Diamond-rated hotel has become a popular choice for romantic San Diego weddings. The favorite spot for a ceremony is the Garden Courtyard, a manicured lawn bordered with native foliage and magnolia trees flush with creamy blooms in the summer. The courtyard was designed with a bride’s grand entrance in mind: Two tiled staircases sweep down from the surrounding buildings and converge at a landing, where the bride makes a dramatic pause before descending the final few steps to the landscaped courtyard. Then she makes her way across an aisle strewn with rose petals, and joins her groom in front of the hotel’s signature stone fountain.

The hotel has a variety of distinctive banquet rooms, each with its own special appeal. For smaller receptions, the Grande Room is particularly pleasing, with chandeliers that cast golden light and Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired chairs befitting the dining room of a well-furnished home. The spacious La Jolla Ballroom accommodates larger weddings without feeling cavernous, and a portable bandstand and dance floor will help kick the festivities into high gear. In all of the event spaces, luxurious linens, fine china and custom-designed flatware add sumptuous touches.

The hotel’s on-site amenities make it well-suited for multi-event destination weddings. Its rancho-themed restaurants and bars, and the intimate private dining room are all wonderful options for pre- and post-wedding gatherings; as an added bonus, the bridal party can beautify and unwind in the full-service spa. Estancia La Jolla’s prime location on the La Jolla cliffs—just minutes from the beach and world-renowned Torrey Pines Golf Course—is just one more reason weddings here are a standout California experience.